en.Wedoany.com Reported - Microsoft has developed an internal prototype of a web-based operating system centered around Copilot, with leaked videos showing the AI assistant replacing the Start menu, taskbar, and traditional desktop shell. The project, codenamed Aion, is built on a codebase called Win3 and uses the Edge browser as its shell. The video first appeared on BetaWiki's Discord server and is believed to be about two years old. Sources confirmed the video's authenticity to Windows Central, and Microsoft has not commented on whether the prototype is an internal hack experiment or a product proposal. The project's current status remains unclear.

The leaked Aion video showcases the prototype positioning Copilot as the primary interface of the operating system, replacing the traditional Windows overlay. Instead of the familiar Start menu and taskbar, it uses a Copilot-driven shell built on web technologies. The leaked footage highlights several notable features, including a multimodal input box where users can enter commands to interact with Copilot, and placeholders for the taskbar and Start menu-like functions. A concept called Spaces uses AI to group applications and websites, allowing users to open, close, or invoke these Spaces through a Start menu-like interface. Additionally, there are rich plugins that enable Copilot to perform actions such as drafting and sending Outlook emails based on content within Spaces. The system runs on a lightweight, web-based Windows codebase, with Edge browser and Chromium's layout engine powering the Copilot experience.

Since the prototype is based on web technologies, it cannot directly support native Win32 applications. When a user wants to open a Win32 program like Microsoft Word, Aion provides a link to a Windows Cloud PC instance, allowing remote use of the program through that instance. This approach follows Microsoft's strategy with Windows 365 Cloud PC, where legacy applications run in a cloud-hosted Windows environment rather than directly on the local device.

Project Aion is currently not a shippable product. The earlier leaked footage is reportedly about two years old, and Microsoft has not confirmed whether the project is still under active development, has been restructured into other initiatives, or has been shelved. Sources describe Aion as an internal experiment, but there is no official information about its future plans. Recently, Microsoft has reduced some Copilot integrations in Windows 11 based on user feedback about feature bloat. Plans to integrate Copilot into notifications and settings were quietly canceled, and Microsoft Edge just removed its AI-driven history search feature after user backlash. These decisions suggest that Microsoft is taking a more cautious approach to adding Copilot features than initially proposed by Aion. Meanwhile, Copilot continues to expand through what Microsoft calls multiple intelligent roles, and Edge has gained smart browsing capabilities. This pattern indicates that even if Aion itself is not released, some of its design elements may still appear in Microsoft's products.

Public reaction to the leaked footage has been largely negative. Reddit user r/pcmasterrace expressed concerns about a Copilot operating system, pointing out issues such as potential loss of support for local applications that do not rely on the cloud, privacy concerns related to AI that can read across Spaces, and reduced user control compared to traditional Windows desktops. Users also noted that core operating system functions would require internet access. Microsoft's Copilot terms of service state that users assume the risk of using the assistant, adding to skepticism about a Copilot-centric operating system design approach.

For current Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, Aion has no direct impact. The prototype has not been made public, and Microsoft has not announced plans to replace the standard Windows shell with a Copilot-based interface. Users concerned about AI integration in Windows can check Windows settings under Privacy and Security to control what data Copilot and other AI features can access. If the assistant is not needed, it can be disabled in Windows 11 via Settings, Personalization, Taskbar. It is recommended to follow Insider versions for updates on how Copilot is integrated into the shell. Reviewing Microsoft's Copilot terms of service can help users understand its data processing policies. For users who prefer traditional Windows workflows, Microsoft has continued to add options in response to feedback about Copilot's placement. Recent updates include an option to indefinitely pause Windows updates, a movable taskbar, and dedicated taskbar size settings available in Insider versions. Aion is part of Microsoft's broader effort to develop smart AI in the operating system. Windows Central's report compares Aion to other Microsoft projects involving intelligent technologies, such as the expanding automation features in Edge and over 80 Copilot products across Microsoft's portfolio. It remains unclear whether Aion will be publicly released or kept as an internal project. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the Aion project, providing no release date, revival plans, or public roadmap.