- Windows 11 includes a new “Chat Providers” option to connect with additional chatbots alongside Copilot.
- This doesn’t seem to be an option to remove Copilot from the operating system.
- Chat Providers could be the setting to enable and disable Copilot plugins.
Microsoft appears to be working on a new feature that would allow users to access other chatbots alongside Copilot on Windows 11. According to a recent post by @thebookisclosed on X, the company may be planning to introduce a new “Chat Providers” option, enabling users to choose their chat service providers available on Windows 11.
The screenshot seems to be from a preview release of the operating system available through the Dev Channel since it is the only channel currently hiding the upcoming “Copilot in Windows” settings page.
The page showcases two settings. The first is “Open Copilot when Windows starts,” a feature that has been available for some time. The second is the new “Chat Providers” option, which displays a message: “Choose which chat providers you have access to.” However, this option remains non-configurable at the time of this writing.
The functionality of this feature remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether Microsoft will ultimately implement it. However, I can only speculate that future releases of the operating system might allow users to connect additional chatbots while retaining access to Copilot. Or it could be the case where users may have the option to change the Copilot for another chatbot, such as ChatGPT.
In the X post, some users suggest this feature could align with upcoming changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union (EU). The DMA mandates certain alterations to the operating system, such as enabling users to uninstall Microsoft Edge and change the default search provider for Windows Search.
However, the new settings page doesn’t include words like “change,” “replace,” or “set new.” Instead, it offers the option to choose additional providers, meaning that Copilot may remain the primary chatbot, but you will have the option to add more providers as well.
Perhaps the company is building this setting to integrate plugins into Copilot. The Copilot interface in previous builds included an option to enable plugins, but it was later removed. So, it could be possible that this setting may later on include the list of available plugins you can connect with the chatbot AI.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.