Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, is rolling out a new feature called PC Insights that allows it to analyze system hardware and identify potential performance bottlenecks. The tool can connect to Windows APIs to answer user queries such as "what is my current CPU usage," "Do I have enough space for a 100 GB game," and "What graphics card do I have?" Windows Latest reported that the feature is currently being distributed to Copilot users in the U.S.
While PC Insights offers a potentially useful way for users to understand what might be slowing down their computers, a significant drawback has been noted: the Copilot application itself can consume a substantial amount of system RAM. Reports indicate that the Edge-based web app can use up to 1GB of RAM, with one instance recorded at idle using 791.7 MB. This raises concerns that Copilot could inadvertently contribute to system performance issues on machines with limited memory.
This RAM usage places Copilot among other memory-intensive applications. The WhatsApp application, for example, is also mentioned as a web-based program that can consume over 1GB of system resources, a notable increase from its previous, less resource-heavy implementation. In an era where additional system RAM is not always readily available or affordable, the considerable memory footprint of Copilot is a point of contention.
Despite Microsoft's efforts to optimize Windows 11, the operating system is still perceived by some as bloated compared to other platforms. The irony is not lost that a tool designed to help users identify performance drains might itself be a significant contributor to those very problems. While the ability to diagnose system issues is welcome, particularly for less technically inclined users, the most effective performance enhancement Copilot could offer, according to one assessment, would be to simply shut itself down when not actively in use.