Microsoft is upgrading the Settings app in Windows 11 by integrating artificial intelligence to help users find and adjust system settings more quickly and efficiently.
The new AI assistant is embedded directly into the search bar and allows users to describe problems or requests in natural language. It understands user intent, suggests relevant settings, or in some cases, applies the necessary changes automatically. For instance, if a user types “how to control the computer with voice,” the assistant will suggest enabling the Voice Access feature. Some actions, where supported, can also be reversed using an “Undo” button.
Unlike Copilot, this assistant is not a chatbot — it operates in the background and is activated when a query is entered into the search field. Microsoft had previously tested “Copilot hints” but ultimately chose to move forward with this more seamlessly integrated AI agent.
The assistant is powered by a compact language model called Mu, which runs entirely on the device without requiring an internet connection. Utilizing a neural processing unit (NPU), it processes input at speeds exceeding 100 tokens per second. Initially, Microsoft had considered using the Phi model fine-tuned with LoRA, but its response time proved too slow. Mu was instead fine-tuned on a larger dataset, including real user queries and synthetic examples, enabling it to cover hundreds of system settings while providing fast and accurate results. The model performs best with longer, detailed queries and prioritizes the most frequently used settings to reduce confusion.
As of now, the AI assistant is only available on Copilot+ devices and to participants in the Windows Insider program. There is currently no confirmed timeline for its release on other compatible devices.
