Windows Copilot is not available in France: how to use it anyway

While the latest Windows 11 update announced the official release of Copilot, European users found that they could not use it. In question, European legislation for which Microsoft is not ready. Fortunately, there is a method to activate it on your computer.

This September 26, Microsoft released the Moment 4 update for Windows 11. It adds several artificial intelligence features, including Copilot, the AI ​​chatbot integrated into the operating system, a sort of ChatGPT with extended powers. However, the tool is not available within the European Union, and therefore in France. Microsoft agreed to provide explanations and a trick to still use it was discovered.

Why Windows Copilot is not available in the EU: another legislative concern

It is DrWindows which got a response from Microsoft, asking when Copilot would arrive in Europe. The company responded that the tool would be put online as soon as it could “ provide a service that complies with EEA rules [Espace Économique Européen] “. Microsoft said it was working with the European Commission to comply with the Digital Markets Act, ambitious new European legislation which will soon come into force in the European Union. As a reminder, it aims to regulate the digital market, particularly with regard to anti-competitive practices. The most used services on the Old Continent must respect stricter rules and Windows is naturally one of them.

The Redmond firm affirms: it has “ started testing and implementing changes to make certain services fully compliant with the EU Digital Markets Act by March 2024 », i.e. the date of entry into force of the DMA. The company did not specify what the points of tension were between Copilot and European legislation. A problem also encountered by Meta: Mark Zuckerberg’s company has still not made Threads accessible in Europe.

How to use Copilot in Windows 11?

The manipulation is quite simple, although it must be carried out each time it is used, as written ComputerBase :

1. Beforehand, make sure your operating system is up to date;
2. Use the shortcut Windows + R to open the command prompt;
3. Enter this command: “ microsoft-edge://?ux=copilot&tcp=1&source=taskbar “.

Then, the Copilot sidebar will open on the right and we can use it. However, it is impossible to close it and then reopen it with the shortcut Windows + VSwhich can be used in other countries.