Recommended Free Tools
Windows 11’s AI features fall into different groups: the Microsoft Copilot app is available beyond Copilot+ PCs, while several Windows-integrated experiences—most notably Recall and Click to Do—require Copilot+ class hardware and may have additional requirements. Microsoft defines a Copilot+ PC by its NPU’s capability of more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), but that threshold alone does not guarantee access to every feature.
This guide reflects Microsoft’s documentation checked on October 13, 2026. Features can vary by device, Windows and app version, language, market, and rollout timing, so confirm support for the exact PC and configuration.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows 11 AI features have more than one eligibility tier
“Windows 11 AI” is not one product with one hardware requirement. It includes the Copilot app, AI-assisted functions built into Windows and its apps, and experiences Microsoft reserves for Copilot+ PCs. Having Windows 11—or being able to open Copilot—does not establish that a computer can run Recall, Click to Do, or every other Copilot+ feature.
Microsoft’s Copilot+ definition centers on an NPU capable of more than 40 TOPS. This is a device requirement, not a performance benchmark or guarantee that each feature is available. Some experiences also specify memory, storage, security settings, processor platform, language, or software-version requirements. Microsoft notes that feature availability and rollout can vary by device and market; check its Windows update overview and the PC maker’s documentation for the model you are considering.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
What the Copilot+ label does—and does not—tell you
The label indicates a hardware class intended to support a set of AI experiences. It does not mean all processing happens on-device, that every feature is enabled by default, or that every Copilot+ PC has an identical feature set. For example, Microsoft documents some Windows Studio Effects as limited to Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs, while its overview describes enhanced Windows Search on Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.
For a specific feature, verify the exact model, requirements, Windows build, app version, and regional or language availability. Processor branding by itself is not enough to establish NPU eligibility. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC and Windows 11 PC hardware guide explains the product distinction.
What you can do with the Copilot app
The Microsoft Copilot app is a conversational assistant for Windows. Microsoft says it can be downloaded from Microsoft Store if it is not already installed, and that it is expected to be preinstalled on new Windows 11 PCs. You can open it with the Copilot key or Windows+C; an optional “Hey, Copilot” wake word is also documented. App availability does not prove that a PC meets Copilot+ hardware requirements.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Depending on the feature and account context, Copilot can answer questions about open browser windows or apps with Copilot Vision, search common document types, respond to questions about a screenshot, and guide you to relevant Windows Settings. These are ways to ask for help or find information; they should not be confused with the separate, hardware-gated Recall or Click to Do experiences. See Microsoft’s Copilot on Windows support page for current access details.
Do not assume that every Copilot interaction is processed locally or works offline. Microsoft documents particular on-device components and actions, but the Copilot app and some actions that hand content to a provider involve online services. A PC’s NPU eligibility does not, on its own, establish where a particular request is processed.
Recall: search a timeline of screen activity
Recall is designed to help you find and return to something you previously saw on your PC. It saves snapshots of active screen content and lets you explore them in a timeline or search them semantically. Microsoft’s support documentation labels Recall as a preview experience, so its availability and details may change.
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Requirements to enable Recall
Microsoft lists the following minimums and security conditions for Recall:
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- A Copilot+ PC meeting the Secured-core standard, with an NPU capable of 40 TOPS.
- At least 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
- At least 50 GB of free disk space to enable the feature. Automatic snapshot saving pauses when free space drops below 25 GB.
- Device Encryption or BitLocker enabled.
- Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security enabled, with at least one biometric option.
These are separate from the broader Copilot+ threshold. A device that has the required NPU but lacks free space or the required security configuration may still be unable to enable Recall.
What Recall saves and how to manage it
Recall saves screen snapshots, not audio recordings or continuous video. Saving is off by default and requires you to opt in. Microsoft’s documentation states, “By default, saving snapshots for Recall aren’t enabled.” Snapshots and their derived context are stored in encrypted form on the local hard drive, and Windows Hello authentication is used to access Recall.
You can pause snapshot saving, filter apps and websites, or delete snapshots. Browser support differs in how it handles website filtering and private browsing activity, so check Microsoft’s current Recall documentation for the supported browsers and filtering behavior that apply to your setup.
Local encrypted storage is a meaningful privacy control, but it does not eliminate the need to consider who can use or unlock the PC. Before opting in, think about whether keeping a searchable history of screen content is appropriate for your work, shared-device, or personal context, and use the available filters and deletion controls accordingly.
Click to Do: act on content visible on your screen
Click to Do identifies text and images currently visible on screen and offers actions for selected content. Text actions can include summarizing, rewriting, or making a list; image actions can include removing a background or erasing an object through Paint or Photos. You can also send selected content to Copilot.
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Microsoft says identification of screen text and images begins only after you actively open Click to Do and ends when you exit. That initial analysis happens locally. If you choose an action that uses Copilot, Bing, or another app or provider, selected content may then be passed to that destination. The local recognition step should not be mistaken for a promise that every follow-on action stays on the PC.
Click to Do requirements and entry point
Microsoft lists a Copilot+ PC or eligible Cloud PC, an NPU capable of 40 TOPS, 16 GB of RAM, eight logical processors, and 256 GB of storage. The Snipping Tool entry point requires version 11.2411.20.0 or later. Actions and availability can vary by language and region. Consult Microsoft’s Click to Do support page for current details.
Windows Search and the Settings agent
Microsoft’s Windows update overview describes enhanced Windows Search for Copilot+ PCs. It is intended to make it easier to find documents, photos, and settings using natural-language descriptions rather than remembering an exact filename or setting label. The overview names Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs for this experience.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The same overview describes a Copilot-powered Settings agent that can use natural language to help find and change Windows settings. Microsoft says the cited version works only when English is the primary display language. Treat both experiences as version- and rollout-dependent rather than as guaranteed features on every Copilot+ PC; check the current Windows update overview for updates.
AI tools in Paint and Photos
Microsoft’s feature inventory includes Cocreator in Paint, Image Creator, and Restyle Image in Photos. These tools support AI-assisted image creation or changes to images; the Windows update overview describes Paint’s Cocreator and Photos tools for reimagining or creating images. Click to Do can also surface image-editing actions, such as background removal or object erasing through Paint or Photos.
Availability depends on the PC, Windows and app updates, and regional support. The feature names alone do not establish that a particular tool is installed or available in your market. Check the current Windows update information and app versions for the device in question.
Rank #4
- 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
- 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
- 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
Live Captions and accessibility features
Microsoft’s Windows update overview says Live Captions on Copilot+ PCs can translate audio and video content into English subtitles from 44 languages. The same overview describes AI-powered image descriptions in Narrator and natural-language features in Voice Access. These features can help with access to spoken or visual content and voice-based PC control, but the language combinations and rollout available to you depend on your configuration.
For a specific language or accessibility workflow, verify support in Microsoft’s current update overview and Windows settings rather than assuming that a Copilot+ label covers every language.
Windows Studio Effects for calls and camera use
Windows Studio Effects can apply camera and audio enhancements such as automatic framing, eye-contact correction, background blur, and voice focus, along with selected lighting or creative filters. Microsoft says the full feature range relies on Copilot+ hardware. Devices with a lower-performance NPU may still support background effects, standard eye contact, automatic framing, and voice focus.
Some effects are platform-specific: Microsoft documents portrait light, teleprompter eye contact, and creative filters as available only on Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs. Compatible third-party cameras are supported. Camera effects can affect performance or battery life on some devices, so the presence of an effect in Windows does not mean it has no resource cost. Check the Windows Studio Effects support page for details for your device.
Automatic super resolution for games
Automatic super resolution is listed as a Copilot+ PC experience. Microsoft describes it as a system-level AI feature intended to improve game resolution and smoothness. It is therefore relevant to gaming PCs, but support for the feature should not be treated as support for every game or as a guarantee of a particular performance result. Check Microsoft’s current Windows feature documentation and your PC maker’s device-specific information for supported games and behavior.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow to check whether a PC supports a feature
When comparing computers, check the feature you actually want rather than relying on a broad “AI PC” or Windows 11 label. Use the model’s current specification sheet and Microsoft’s feature documentation; if a detail is not listed, ask the PC maker or treat support as unconfirmed.
Quick Recap
- Identify the exact model and configuration. Similar product names can refer to different hardware, memory, or storage configurations.
- Check the NPU specification. For Copilot+ eligibility, verify that the listed NPU capability meets Microsoft’s more-than-40-TOPS definition. Do not infer it from processor branding alone.
- Check the chosen feature’s additional requirements. Recall and Click to Do have requirements beyond the NPU, including system memory and storage; Recall also requires enough free space, encryption, and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security.
- Check platform-specific limits. Some Studio Effects are documented only for Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs, even though other Studio Effects may be available on other eligible devices.
- Confirm software, language, and market support. Check the Windows build, relevant app version, primary display language where applicable, and feature availability in your region. Rollouts can be staged.
- Consider where content goes. Distinguish local analysis from an action that transfers selected content to Copilot or another provider, and decide whether Recall’s opt-in snapshot history suits your use.
| Feature | What it does | Eligibility or requirements established by Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot app | Conversational assistance, with features such as screen questions, document search, and settings guidance depending on context. | Available as a Windows app; Microsoft says it can be downloaded from Microsoft Store and is expected on new Windows 11 PCs. Copilot+ hardware is not proof of access requirements for the app. |
| Recall | Searches an opt-in timeline of saved screen snapshots. | Copilot+ PC meeting Secured-core standard, 40-TOPS NPU, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, 50 GB free space to enable; pauses below 25 GB free; encryption and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with a biometric option. |
| Click to Do | Recognizes visible text and images, then offers actions for selected content. | Copilot+ PC or eligible Cloud PC, 40-TOPS NPU, 16 GB RAM, eight logical processors, and 256 GB storage; Snipping Tool entry point version 11.2411.20.0 or later. |
| Enhanced Windows Search | Uses natural-language descriptions to help find files, photos, and settings. | Described for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel processors; check Windows version and rollout. |
| Settings agent | Uses natural language to help locate and change settings. | Microsoft’s cited overview says the experience works with English as the primary display language; version and rollout apply. |
| Studio Effects | Applies camera and audio effects for calls and recordings. | Range varies by NPU and platform; portrait light, teleprompter eye contact, and creative filters are documented only on Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs. |
| Live Captions translation | Translates audio and video into English subtitles. | Microsoft’s overview states 44 source languages for Copilot+ PCs; availability depends on configuration and rollout. |
| Automatic super resolution | Uses AI to improve game resolution and smoothness. | Listed as a Copilot+ experience; supported games and device-specific behavior must be checked. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
