Is the Windows 11 Copilot app's UI inspired by ChatGPT?

Microsoft showcased the redesigned Copilot app for Windows 11 24H2 during the Microsoft Build 2024 event. The changes are currently limited to Windows 11 Insiders, and many of them have reported that the Copilot app UI closely resembles ChatGPT.

First, about the new app: Copilot is now available as a standalone app, pinned to the center of the taskbar by default, instead of a flyout menu kind of UI, as was the case earlier. You can resize or reposition the window, just like any other app.

You will find a text box in the center, which is where the conversations will take place. Then, the recent conversations are listed in the left navigation pane, with the Notebook and Plugins options listed at the bottom-left corner.

If you have used OpenAI’s AI-powered assistant, the resemblance between the Copilot app in Windows 11 and ChatGPT should be evident right away.

This begs the question, is this a well-thought-out strategy or a random coincidence?

Our research highlights two critical aspects indicating that Microsoft designed the UI on purpose and for all the right reasons. Here’s why:

• A familiar interface goes a long way: Imagine users suddenly discovering the new Copilot app on Windows 11. A familiar interface would help them quickly navigate through the various sections, while a new UI would throw them off track, at least in the initial days. So, for Copilot to witness mass adoption, Microsoft went with an interface that resembles ChatGPT.
• OpenAI released a ChatGPT app for macOS but not for Windows: Earlier this month, OpenAI released a standalone ChatGPT app for macOS but delayed the Windows release. OpenAI, at the time, attributed this to the fact that its user base lies with macOS, but it’s becoming clearer now. The release of the ChatGPT app for Windows might have been deferred because Microsoft planned to unveil something similar.

Microsoft has billions worth of investment in OpenAI, and even during the recent leadership crisis, the Redmond-based tech giant stepped in to diffuse the situation, ultimately leading to Sam Altman being reinstated as the CEO of OpenAI.

Nonetheless, the UI aspect isn’t that big a deal, especially as Microsoft plans to integrate GPT-4o into Copilot for a more personalized experience. It’s the capabilities of Copilot in Windows that one needs to focus on!

To preview the new Copilot app, you can install Windows 11 24H2, either by switching to the Release Preview channel or downloading the ISO from Microsoft’s website.

What’s your take on the Copilot app’s UI resembling ChatGPT? Share with our readers in the comments section.