Microsoft pushed a server-side update to all Windows 11 Copilot users on November 29: the OpenAI GPT-5.1 model is now officially available. Free account holders can now access the previously paid "Think Deeper" deep reasoning capability for free with one click, without reinstalling or logging out. Simply turn it on to experience it.
With the model upgrade, Copilot adds a new "Labs" experimental feature area. The first released WinUI 3 "Vision" component supports real-time video analysis; subsequent modules such as 3D generation, audio expression, and portrait simulation will be gradually integrated. The upcoming "Actions" feature is even more significant: by using an isolated "Agent Workspace", Copilot can directly read and write user files, batch rename files, generate summaries, or execute Python scripts, just like a local sandbox - upgrading Copilot from a "cloud chat" to a "system-level AI assistant".
Microsoft stated that this update is being rolled out gradually and is expected to cover all Win11 23H2/24H2 devices within 48 hours. For users who do not want to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, getting free access to GPT-5.1 deep thinking is seen as another key move by Microsoft in the battle for AI access points.
