The current ChatGPT Windows app brings three work modes into one desktop experience: Chat for quick questions, Work for longer research and deliverables, and Codex for software development. It also adds a combined Recents list, Project context, cross-device Cloud Work, and a companion window opened with Alt + Space.
OpenAI says the new desktop app is available globally for Windows and macOS in its ChatGPT release notes. The exact menu labels can change as the Windows app develops, so compare the paths below with the labels shown in your installed version.
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What is new in the ChatGPT Windows app?
The important change is organizational rather than a single button: ChatGPT, Work and Codex now sit behind a global switcher in the desktop app. That lets you choose the type of task before you begin, while Recents and Projects provide continuity afterward.
OpenAI’s July 16, 2026 release-note update describes the desktop experience for both Windows and macOS. The new app brings Chat, Work and Codex together, so the first decision is no longer simply which chat to open; it is which workspace matches the job.
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| Experience | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | Quick questions and conversational help | A normal ChatGPT conversation for answers, explanations and short tasks. |
| Work | Longer research and end-to-end deliverables | A work-focused thread that can use supported web tools and files; local files and desktop apps require your permission. |
| Codex | Software development | The desktop app’s development-focused experience. |
Work’s browser can gather website information and work with supported web tools and files. That does not mean every website, file format or Windows application is automatically available. Access to local files and desktop applications is permission-based.
The release notes do not provide a feature-adoption statistic or a single Windows build number for these capabilities. Availability, labels and permissions can therefore vary by account, organization policy and app update.
How to start a task in the right mode
- Open the ChatGPT Windows app. Sign in to the account that contains the conversations or Projects you need.
- Open the global switcher. Select ChatGPT if another top-level experience is currently open.
- Choose the mode that matches the task. Select Chat for a quick question, Work for a longer task or deliverable, or Codex for software development.
- Decide whether a Project supplies useful context. If the task belongs to an existing Project, open that Project before starting the conversation.
- Choose the continuity you need. Start a Cloud Work thread when you expect to move between Windows, the web and mobile. Keep in mind that a local conversation remains on the computer where it was created.
- Start the conversation. In Work, grant access only when you want it to use a local file, desktop application or supported web tool.
This separation prevents a short factual question from being mixed with a long-running deliverable and makes it easier to find the thread later. You can still return to previous work from Recents.
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Use Chat for quick questions
Choose Chat when you need an answer, explanation, draft or conversational exchange without setting up a longer project. Chat is the quickest starting point for everyday help. Examples include clarifying a paragraph, brainstorming names or asking for a short explanation.
Use Work for longer tasks
Choose Work when the request involves research, several steps, a file-based deliverable or a task you may continue later. Work conversations can use supported web tools and files. The desktop-app announcement says Work can use local files and desktop apps with your permission; it does not imply silent access.
For a multi-step task, state the intended output, the files or websites that matter and any limits at the beginning. If Work asks for access to a local resource, read the request before approving it. You can narrow the task or provide a directly uploaded copy when you do not want to grant broader access.
Use Codex for development
Choose Codex when the central task is software development. Keeping development work in its own experience makes it easier to distinguish code-related threads from general conversations in Recents. If you only need a conceptual explanation of a programming term, Chat may be sufficient; switch to Codex when the task is actually centered on writing or working through software code.
How to find and organize conversations in Recents
The desktop app’s Recents list combines Chat and Work conversations instead of keeping them in separate histories. It supports sorting, filtering and pinning.
Find an older thread
- Open Recents in the desktop app.
- Use sorting or filtering to narrow the list.
- Separate Chat from Work when the list is busy, then select the conversation to reopen it at its existing context.
Recents is a combined index, not a guarantee that every conversation is available everywhere. A local conversation can appear in the Windows app’s history while remaining unavailable on the web or a phone.
Pin a frequently used conversation
In Recents, use the conversation’s pin control. Pinning is useful for an active Work thread, a recurring Project conversation or a reference chat you open often. Because Chat and Work share the list, filter by the appropriate type when you need to separate quick chats from longer tasks.
A practical organization pattern is to pin one active deliverable, keep recurring conversations inside their relevant Project and use filtering when you need to review only Chat or only Work. This avoids creating duplicate threads merely because an older one is harder to spot.
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How to use Projects in the Windows app
Existing ChatGPT Projects appear in the desktop app. A Project is useful when several conversations need the same background, files or instructions.
Start Chat inside a Project
- Open the Project from the app’s Project area.
- Start a new Chat conversation within that Project.
- Ask your question; the conversation can use the Project’s available context.
Start Work with Project context
- Open the relevant Project.
- Start a Work thread from that Project.
- Provide the task and approve any request to use local files, desktop apps or supported web tools.
Opening the Project first is important: it associates the new conversation with the context you intend to use. A conversation started outside the Project is not automatically converted into a Project thread by the information supplied here.
If the response does not reflect the background you expected, check that you opened the intended Project and that its files or instructions are available. A Project does not remove the need to describe the current task, desired format or deadline in the prompt.
How Cloud Work syncs across devices
Cloud Work conversations sync among the web, mobile and desktop versions of ChatGPT. You can begin a Cloud Work thread on Windows and continue it on another supported device after signing in to the same account.
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| Conversation type | Where it is available | What to do when changing devices |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Work | Web, mobile and desktop | Open ChatGPT on the other supported device and find the thread in its history or Recents. |
| Local conversation | The computer where it was created | Return to that Windows computer; do not assume the conversation will appear on the web or mobile app. |
The distinction matters for travel and handoffs. Start a Cloud Work conversation when you know you will need cross-device continuity. Treat a local conversation as computer-bound unless the app explicitly offers a way to move its content.
For a reliable handoff, sign in to the same account on the second device, open the Cloud Work thread rather than starting a similarly named chat and confirm that the latest messages have loaded before continuing. If a thread is absent, first check whether it was local; do not assume the missing item indicates a service failure.
How to open the Windows companion window
The Windows help article documents a companion window that can be opened while the ChatGPT app is running. Press Alt + Space. From this smaller window you can ask a question, upload files, generate an image or start a new conversation.
Use the companion window
- Leave the ChatGPT Windows app open.
- Press Alt + Space.
- Enter your question or choose the action you need, such as uploading a file or generating an image.
- Use New chat when you want to clear the companion window’s current content.
The window remembers its last position, so you do not need to reposition it every time. Closing it does not delete the conversation. Reopen it with the shortcut, or continue the conversation from chat history in the main app.
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The companion window is best for a focused interruption: a quick question, a file you need to inspect or an image request while another Windows application remains in front. For a long deliverable, the main app gives you the clearer place to review the complete thread, Project context and permissions.
Change the companion-window shortcut if Alt + Space conflicts
Another Windows application may already have registered Alt + Space. The help article directs users to Settings > App > Companion window hotkey to choose a different key combination. Because the article describes the app as an early version, verify the exact setting name and location in your installed release before relying on that path.
How Work uses local files, desktop apps and web tools
Work is designed for tasks that extend beyond a single answer. According to OpenAI’s desktop-app announcement, it can use local files and desktop apps when you give permission. Its built-in browser can gather website information and work with supported web tools and files.
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Give the minimum permission needed
- Approve access to a specific file only when that file is relevant to the task.
- Review what the app is asking to use before allowing a desktop application or local resource.
- Do not treat permission as permanent approval for every future task; check each request in context.
- For sensitive material, remove unnecessary data before uploading or granting access.
- When a task can be completed with a directly uploaded copy, use that narrower option instead of granting access to an entire location.
Permission enables the action; it does not guarantee that every website, file type or desktop application is supported. If a task cannot proceed, ask Work to explain which input or tool is missing and provide an alternative file or a narrower request.
For web work, identify the sites or information you want gathered and ask for a clear output such as a summary, comparison or checklist. The built-in browser can gather website information, but a site may still be inaccessible or a requested action may fall outside the supported web tools.
How to install or update the Windows app
The Windows help page lists these requirements and installation notes:
- Windows 10, x64 or arm64.
- Version 17763.0 or higher.
- Installation through the Microsoft Store.
Those details come from a help page that also calls the application an early version. Check the current official support page and the Microsoft Store listing before deploying a new installation, because requirements and labels are version-sensitive.
If the Store does not offer the app, verify the Windows edition, architecture and organization policy rather than downloading an unverified installer. A managed computer may restrict Store access even when the operating system meets the listed requirement.
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For Enterprise and Education environments, access follows the organization’s Microsoft Store policies. The help page says IT can deploy the app through mobile-device-management or mobile-application-management tools such as Microsoft Intune, and it documents a winget installation command. Verify the current command and organizational policy before using either method; historic Enterprise and Edu release notes describe Microsoft Store distribution but do not replace current deployment guidance.
Administrators should confirm which accounts can use Chat, Work, Codex, Projects and desktop tools, because organization policy can affect availability. Users who cannot see a mode should contact their administrator after confirming they are signed in to the intended account and running the current approved build.
For background on the older organization-distribution model, see the ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu release notes. For current desktop availability and feature descriptions, use the ChatGPT release notes.
Practical workflows for the new features
Quick answer now, deeper deliverable later
- Open the global switcher and choose Chat for the immediate question.
- When the issue grows into research or a deliverable, start a separate Work thread.
- Pin the Work thread in Recents if it will remain active.
Keeping the two threads separate makes the short answer easier to find and gives the deliverable a clear place for files, web work and follow-up instructions.
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- Choose Work and start a Cloud Work conversation.
- Approve access to relevant local files or supported web tools.
- On the other device, sign in to the same account and reopen the Cloud Work thread.
Do not use a local conversation for this workflow, because local conversations remain on the computer where they were created.
Keep a recurring task organized
- Open the appropriate Project.
- Start the conversation inside it, choosing Chat or Work according to the task.
- Pin the thread in Recents for fast access.
- Use the companion window for a short follow-up while the main app remains open.
When the recurring task becomes a larger deliverable, continue in Work within the same Project rather than scattering related prompts across unrelated chats.
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Handle a file while another app is open
- Press Alt + Space to open the companion window.
- Upload the file if the task is short and self-contained, or open the main app and use Work for a longer process.
- Approve only the requested access and review the resulting conversation in the main app’s history.
Develop software without mixing it with general chats
- Open the global switcher and choose Codex.
- Keep code-related requests in that development-focused experience.
- Use Recents filtering to return to the development thread when you also have active Chat and Work conversations.
Troubleshooting the newly added features
The switcher or a mode is missing
- Confirm that you are signed in to the intended account.
- Update the Windows app from its official distribution channel.
- Check whether an organization policy limits access to a mode or tool.
- Compare the labels in your build with the current release notes; the Windows help article’s paths may be older.
A Project does not show the expected context
- Open the Project before creating the conversation.
- Confirm that the files or instructions you expect are actually available in that Project.
- If the task needs a local file, provide permission when Work requests it.
- State the relevant background in the prompt instead of assuming that an unrelated conversation will carry it over.
A conversation is missing on another device
First determine whether it was a Cloud Work conversation or a local conversation. Cloud Work syncs among web, mobile and desktop. A local conversation remains on the computer where it was created, so its absence elsewhere is expected rather than a sync failure.
Alt + Space opens another Windows command
Change the companion hotkey under the documented settings path, Settings > App > Companion window hotkey, if that path is present in your version. If the setting has moved, search the app’s Settings for “companion” or “hotkey” and use the label shown by the installed release.
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- Check that you approved the requested permission.
- Confirm that the file or application is supported and accessible to your Windows account.
- Try uploading a supported copy directly or describe the relevant information in the prompt.
- For a web task, confirm that the built-in browser or requested web tool is available in your account.
- If the request still fails, ask Work to identify the missing permission or unsupported input rather than repeatedly granting broader access.
The companion window seems to have lost the conversation
Closing the companion window does not delete its conversation. Reopen it with the shortcut, or use the main app’s chat history to continue. Select New chat only when you intentionally want to clear the current companion-window content.
Which feature should you use?
| Your goal | Start here | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ask one question or get a quick explanation | Chat | It is the conversational, lightweight experience. |
| Produce research, a plan or a multi-step deliverable | Work | It is intended for longer tasks and can use permitted files and tools. |
| Write or work through software code | Codex | It is the development-focused experience. |
| Continue a task away from the Windows PC | Cloud Work | Cloud Work syncs across web, mobile and desktop. |
| Ask something without switching away from another Windows app | Companion window | Alt + Space opens the documented quick-access window. |
| Keep shared files or instructions with related conversations | Project | Projects provide a common context for Chat or Work threads started inside them. |
The simplest mental model is Chat for conversation, Work for longer tasks, Codex for software development. Add a Project when shared context matters, use Recents to organize the resulting threads, and choose Cloud Work when you need to move between devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new ChatGPT Windows app best for?
Use Chat for quick questions, Work for longer research and deliverables, and Codex for software development. The global switcher lets you move between these experiences.
How do I switch between Chat and Work?
Open the global switcher in the desktop app and select ChatGPT, then choose Chat for conversational help or Work for a longer task. Labels can vary with app updates.
How do I open the ChatGPT companion window on Windows?
With the ChatGPT Windows app open, press Alt + Space. The companion window supports questions, file uploads, image generation and new conversations.
What if Alt + Space is already used by another application?
Open Settings and look for App > Companion window hotkey, then choose another combination. The Windows help article describes the app as an early version, so verify the exact path in your installed release.
Can I continue a ChatGPT Work conversation on my phone?
Yes, if it is a Cloud Work conversation. Cloud Work syncs among web, mobile and desktop after you sign in to the same account. Local conversations remain on the Windows computer where they were created.
Do Projects work in the Windows app?
Existing ChatGPT Projects appear in the desktop app. Open the Project first, then start a Chat or Work conversation inside it so the intended Project context is associated with the thread.
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No. OpenAI’s desktop-app announcement says Work can use local files and desktop apps with your permission. Review each request and grant only the access needed for the task.
What Windows versions are listed for the app?
The Windows help page lists Windows 10 on x64 or arm64, version 17763.0 or higher, with installation through the Microsoft Store. Requirements and installation paths are version-sensitive, so check current official support before deployment.
The Bottom Line
Use the Windows app’s global switcher to match the workspace to the job: Chat for quick help, Work for multi-step tasks, and Codex for development. Put shared context in a Project, keep active threads organized in Recents, start Cloud Work when you need cross-device continuity, and use Alt + Space for the companion window. Review permissions carefully and verify installation or menu instructions against the version currently installed.
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