That term refers to an AI agent, or helper, that would be fired up via the taskbar.

Of course, this is all speculation, and the idea of agentic companions on the taskbar may never come to pass. However, with Microsoft pouring tons of money into AI, on top of the company's desire to ...

Microsoft appears to be testing a new taskbar feature called "companions," and it might be yet another AI addition.

"Windows 11 is the home for AI," it adds, "offering the most expansive and capable AI experiences for consumers today on ...

The company's AI companion, Microsoft Copilot, received several upgrades, including ones that make the Microsoft 365 suite of apps much easier to use.

The new Start menu is significantly larger and wider than the current one and it features a separate panel for the Phone Link app—which Microsoft refers to as a “phone companion in Start ...