I don’t typically rely on a Windows Copilot+ PC for my daily work, despite having several available. Yet, a single, surprisingly practical feature consistently compels me to switch, connect, and boot one up – it’s a game-changer I hadn’t anticipated.
Copilot+ PCs haven’t yet achieved widespread adoption, meaning many of their unique capabilities, powered by a dedicated NPU, remain largely unknown. These include Windows Recall, enhanced Paint features like Cocreator and Generative Erase, intelligent search within Settings, Windows Studio Effects, and the futuristic Live Captions.
My editor predicted I’d be most impressed by Live Captions, a truly innovative feature. However, I find myself repeatedly returning to something far more unassuming: the Super Resolution image upscaler, formerly known as Image Resizer. It’s become an indispensable tool in my workflow.
What exactly *are* Copilot+ features? They stem from the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, now also available on select Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI 300 laptops. The key is the Neural Processing Unit, or NPU – an AI engine built directly into the chip.
Microsoft leverages this NPU to unlock a suite of AI-driven features within Windows. Windows Recall helps rediscover lost information, Cocreator transforms sketches into art, Click-To-Do anticipates your next action, and Windows Studio Effects enhance video calls. These features demand an NPU and won’t function on older hardware.
For our work, compelling visuals are essential. Often, we need images that adhere to specific size requirements, sometimes requiring enlargement of small icons – like those found on the taskbar. Finding a suitable image at the correct size can be surprisingly difficult.
The Super Resolution tool within Windows Photos is the perfect solution. It intelligently upscales images, smoothing out any resulting graininess. I recently used it to enlarge the tiny OneDrive icon on my taskbar, and the results were remarkably clear and usable.
While simple enlargement can lead to blurry results, Super Resolution delivers a surprisingly sharp and polished image. Best of all, it’s completely free. While professional services offer even more advanced upscaling, this built-in option is incredibly convenient and effective for everyday tasks.
It’s not a tool I use constantly, but when I need it, it’s a lifesaver. It’s perfect for enhancing scanned photos or any image requiring a quick resolution boost. It’s a subtle but powerful addition to the Windows toolkit.
Live Captions, while impressive, simply doesn’t fit into my routine. I primarily consume foreign content through reading, rather than video. Many video platforms already offer built-in translation, and I often question the accuracy of Live Captions’ real-time interpretations.
Live Captions feels like a glimpse into the future, a technology straight from science fiction. But it’s the practical, everyday solutions like Super Resolution that truly impact my daily work. It’s the small conveniences that make a significant difference.
A noteworthy bonus: Generative Erase. Microsoft’s recent AI push has introduced some confusion regarding NPU requirements. Some features need it, others don’t, and the messaging isn’t always clear. However, the integration of powerful tools like layers in Paint is a welcome addition.
Photos previously featured “Spot Fix,” an early AI-powered editing tool. I generally avoid heavy photo manipulation, preferring to present images as they are. However, Generative Erase is incredibly useful for removing minor distractions – dust, blemishes, or unwanted objects in a scene.
Generative Erase, available in both Photos and Paint, doesn’t require an NPU. It’s a handy tool for quickly cleaning up stored photos, offering a significant improvement over the older Spot Fix feature. It’s a convenient solution for refining images from OneDrive or other sources.
Microsoft is also testing “Generative Fill” within Paint, allowing you to add objects to images. This feature, however, *will* require an NPU and a Copilot+ PC. Navigating the landscape of AI features and their hardware requirements is a challenge for everyone at the moment.
