To check whether your Windows PC can run a local AI feature, identify the feature first, then check its specific requirements. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, select Performance, and look for an NPU entry. That confirms Windows detects an NPU; it does not prove the NPU meets a performance threshold or that the feature will work on your PC.
1. Choose the feature you want to use
There is no single compatibility test for “AI features.” Requirements differ between Windows experiences, and a PC that meets one feature’s requirements may not meet another’s. Check the official requirements for the exact feature, including supported hardware, Windows version, drivers, memory, storage, and any security or peripheral requirements.
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This check is about named Windows experiences designed to run locally. The word “Copilot” on its own does not establish whether a particular task runs on-device or uses cloud processing; check the documentation for that product and feature. See Microsoft’s Copilot in Windows FAQ.
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2. Check whether Windows detects an NPU
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Performance.
- Check the device list on the left for an NPU entry. Note its name if one appears. You can also review the listed GPU.
This is a quick hardware-detection check, not a compatibility verdict. If no NPU appears, Windows is not showing one there; that alone does not identify the reason. Microsoft documents the Task Manager check in its Copilot+ PCs FAQ.
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3. Verify the NPU capability and PC configuration
Many newer Windows AI experiences require a high-performance NPU capable of 40+ TOPS. TOPS means trillions of operations per second; seeing an NPU in Task Manager does not show that it reaches this level. Check the exact PC configuration with its manufacturer and confirm whether that configuration is designated a Copilot+ PC. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs developer guidance gives examples of supported PC and processor families, but those examples are not an exhaustive or permanent compatibility list.
Copilot+ PC status is a useful starting point for many advanced Windows AI experiences, not a guarantee that every feature is available. Check the feature’s own current requirements before relying on that label.
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- Desktop-Level Performance, Anywhere: Get legendary gaming performance with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, delivering ultra-smooth gameplay and future-ready AI (Up to 13 NPU TOPS). Offload tasks like background removal and audio optimization to the NPU for seamless streaming and gaming, while Intel Application Optimization enhances performance on classic titles.
- Game-Changing Realism: Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU unlocks the game changing realism of full ray tracing. Equipped with a massive level of 992 AI TOPS horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Experience cinematic quality visuals at unprecedented speed with fourth-gen RT Cores and breakthrough neural rendering technologies accelerated with fifth-gen Tensor Cores.
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4. Check the requirements for the specific feature
Recall
Microsoft’s Recall requirements and availability page lists a Copilot+ PC meeting the Secured-core standard, a 40 TOPS NPU, 16 GB RAM, and 256 GB storage. It also specifies 50 GB of free storage to enable Recall; snapshots pause automatically when free space falls below 25 GB. Device Encryption or BitLocker must be enabled, and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with at least one biometric sign-in option is required.
Recall snapshots are opt-in. Microsoft says snapshots and related data are stored locally; users can pause, filter, or delete them, and Windows Hello confirmation is needed to access them. See Microsoft’s privacy and control information for Recall.
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- New AI Superpowers - Discover the power of Recall (preview), improved Windows search, and Click to Do (preview) on Copilot plus PCs. Effortlessly locate past content, perform natural searches, and interact with text and images – all while ensuring your data remains private and you stay productive. ( Copilot plus PC experiences vary by device and market and may require updates continuing to roll out through 2025; Recall and Click to Do will be coming to European Economic Area later in 2025; timing varies. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs)
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Windows Studio Effects
Look for Studio Effects in Quick Settings, in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras, or in the Camera app. Microsoft says available effects vary by NPU and device. A wider set requires Copilot+ PC hardware with an NPU above 40 TOPS; a smaller set—including background effects, standard eye contact, automatic framing, and voice focus—is available on NPUs below 40 TOPS. Some individual effects are limited to Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs. A compatible camera and current Windows updates can also matter. Details are on Microsoft’s Windows Studio Effects page.
If a control is missing, treat that as a clue rather than a diagnosis: the NPU, device, camera, or software configuration may not meet the requirements.
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Automatic Super Resolution
Automatic Super Resolution has its own supported-device and workload limits; do not use it as a proxy for compatibility with other AI features. Microsoft’s requirements page names supported device categories, including Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X or X2 processors and Intel Core Ultra Series 3, plus ROG Xbox Ally X under stated conditions. It also requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, a display resolution of 1080p or higher, current graphics and neural processor drivers, and a supported game and graphics API.
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Windows 11’s general minimum requirements include a supported processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage, along with other platform requirements. Those minimums do not establish that a PC can run a specific local AI feature. Microsoft notes that individual features, apps, and hardware may require more; see Windows 11 system requirements.
Quick Recap
Quick checklist
- Name the Windows feature or task you want to run locally.
- Use Task Manager’s Performance tab to check whether Windows lists an NPU.
- Verify the exact PC configuration and NPU capability with the manufacturer; do not infer TOPS from the Task Manager entry.
- Compare the feature’s requirements with your Windows version, updates, memory, storage, drivers, sign-in and security setup, and any camera, display, game, or app limitations.
- Recheck Microsoft’s current feature page, since supported configurations and software requirements can change.
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