5 AI Features Available on Non-Copilot+ PCs

AI is no longer limited to laptops with dedicated NPUs. Even if your Windows laptop is not a Copilot+ PC, you can still use several AI-powered tools for everyday tasks such as writing, creating images, translating content, and improving productivity.

Many of these features work through software, web browsers, and inbuilt Windows tools, so you do not necessarily need specialised hardware to get started. Here are some useful AI features and tools, including Generative Erase in Photos to Voice Access, Clipchamp, and the Snipping Tool’s Text Extractor, that you can use on a regular Windows laptop.

Why It Matters

If you don't have a Copilot+ PC, it does not mean you cannot use AI on your laptop. There are many useful features available through apps, websites, and inbuilt Windows tools, so you can use them without upgrading your laptop. Knowing what is already available can help you get more out of your existing device.

1. Microsoft Copilot App (with Vision & Voice)

The Microsoft Copilot app brings an AI assistant to regular Windows PCs without requiring a dedicated NPU or Copilot+ hardware. It offers cloud-powered features such as real-time voice conversations and text-based queries. Copilot Vision can also analyse what is currently on your screen and provide contextual suggestions, although access to this feature requires a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription or Copilot Pro.

You can use Copilot to summarise web pages or documents, rewrite content, answer questions about what you are working on, or get help with everyday tasks using either voice or typed prompts. Copilot Vision adds another useful feature by allowing the assistant to analyse the content displayed on your screen and respond based on what you are viewing.

While Copilot+ PCs can handle some AI tasks locally for faster responses and better offline functionality, the standard Copilot app on non-Copilot+ laptops relies on Microsoft's cloud servers for these features. This means you can still access several useful AI features on a regular Windows laptop without needing specialised AI hardware, although some features may require a subscription.

2. Generative Erase in Photos

The Windows Photos app offers useful AI-powered editing tools that can work on regular Windows PCs. Generative Erase lets you remove unwanted objects or distractions from a photo, while AI fills in the area to make the edit look more natural. The app also offers background removal and blur tools, which can be useful for quickly cleaning up images or isolating subjects.

These tools can make basic photo editing faster without requiring a Copilot+ PC. However, not all AI features in Photos are available on regular laptops. For example, the Restyle feature is limited to Copilot+ PCs with an NPU, while Generative Erase and background editing tools can still be useful on standard Windows devices.

3. Voice Access & Dictation

Windows also offers useful voice features that work on regular PCs without requiring Copilot+ hardware. Voice Access lets you control the Windows interface using voice commands, allowing you to open apps, navigate menus, click buttons, and perform other tasks without using the keyboard or mouse. Dictation, meanwhile, converts your speech into text in apps that support typing.

These features can use on-device speech recognition, allowing them to work without a constant internet connection in many cases. While Copilot+ PCs offer more advanced AI-powered voice features, Voice Access and Dictation remain useful for everyday tasks on standard Windows laptops.

4. Auto-Reframe & Silent Cut in Clipchamp

Microsoft’s Clipchamp video editor offers useful AI features that can work on regular Windows PCs. Auto-Reframe automatically detects the main subject in a video and keeps it centred when you change the aspect ratio. This makes it easier to convert a 16:9 video into a 9:16 vertical clip for different platforms. Silent Cut can also detect and remove long pauses or silent sections from the audio, helping you clean up videos quickly.

These features use a combination of cloud and local processing, so you can access them on non-Copilot+ laptops as well. Performance can vary depending on your laptop and internet connection, but these tools can make basic video editing faster and easier without requiring dedicated AI hardware.

5. Snipping Tool Text Extractor (OCR)

The inbuilt Snipping Tool in Windows includes a useful Text Extractor feature that uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to detect text in screenshots. After taking a screenshot, you can select the Text Extractor option to scan the image and copy, edit, or redact the detected text.

This can be useful for extracting text from images, documents, error messages, or presentations without having to type it manually. The feature works on regular Windows PCs and does not require Copilot+ hardware, making it a practical tool for students, professionals, and anyone who frequently works with text on their screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Next Steps

Before upgrading to a Copilot+ PC, check the AI features already available on your Windows laptop. Try tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Photos, Clipchamp, Voice Access, Dictation, and Snipping Tool to see which ones are useful for your everyday needs.

Disclaimer: AI features and their availability may vary depending on your Windows version, device, app version, internet connection, and Microsoft account or subscription. Some advanced features may be limited to Copilot+ PCs or require a paid subscription.