Microsoft Copilot Abandons Native App Again, Returns to Web-Based Model

Microsoft Copilot is once again shifting direction, as the latest update moves the app back to a web-based experience despite earlier efforts to make it fully native. The change also aligns with Microsoft’s broader push toward web-powered AI apps, even as platforms such as Electron continue to face criticism over memory usage and system bloat.

According to findings from Windows Latest, Copilot version 146.0.3856.63 replaces its native WinUI interface with WebView-based components, effectively turning the app into a web-powered shell. This marks another reversal in Microsoft’s evolving approach to Copilot on Windows.

Copilot Returns to Web-Based Architecture

Testing of the updated app shows behavior similar to a web application rather than a traditional native Windows program. The app now runs using Edge-related processes, including Renderer, GPU Process, and Network Service, confirming its reliance on WebView infrastructure.

The version number of Copilot also closely aligns with Microsoft Edge, further suggesting shared underlying technology. While the app still launches as a desktop application, most of its content loads directly from the Copilot website.

Microsoft has experimented with multiple implementations of Copilot, alternating between native and web-based designs. In 2025, the company introduced a fully native version built with WinUI, which avoided heavy reliance on web components and received positive feedback from users.

Performance Gains Come With Trade-Offs

Despite concerns about WebView2 and Electron-style apps, early testing indicates that the new Copilot version launches faster than its native predecessor. This improvement suggests Microsoft may be prioritizing speed and flexibility over a fully native experience.

However, the shift back to web technologies is likely to reignite criticism. Many users have previously raised concerns about memory usage, performance overhead, and the broader trend of replacing native Windows apps with web-based alternatives.

Apps like WhatsApp have already faced backlash for adopting similar approaches, and Copilot’s transition may fuel further debate about the direction of the Windows ecosystem.

A Step Back From Native Progress

The return to a web-based model reverses what many saw as meaningful progress. The earlier native Copilot version offered tighter system integration and avoided constant reliance on online content.

While the new version still supports some on-device AI features, most of the experience now depends on web delivery. This hybrid approach may limit the advantages that native apps typically provide.

The update is currently available in the Windows Insider Program and is expected to roll out more broadly in the near future. Microsoft has not indicated any plans to revert back to a native-only implementation.

In parallel, the company is also adjusting its broader Copilot strategy. Microsoft recently paused the automatic rollout of Copilot for Microsoft 365 on Windows devices, and reports suggest that Copilot features in Office apps may require a separate license going forward.