Toggle Copilot Side-by-Side and Overlay in Windows 11

Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11 can be customized to fit your workflow by switching between side-by-side (docked) mode and overlay (floating) mode. This guide explains the differences between these two display modes and provides simple, step-by-step instructions on how to toggle between them to optimize your screen space and multitasking efficiency.

Understanding the Display Modes

• Side-by-Side Mode (Docked): Copilot pins itself to the right side of the screen and resizes your open application windows so nothing is covered. This is ideal for continuous multitasking where you need to reference AI prompts alongside your documents or browser.
• Overlay Mode (Floating): Copilot appears as a floating panel on top of your existing desktop and active windows without resizing them. This is best for quick queries without altering your current window layout.

Steps to Toggle Between Side-by-Side and Overlay Mode

1. Open Copilot: Launch the Copilot pane by clicking the Copilot icon on your taskbar or by pressing the Windows Key + C on your keyboard.
2. Access the Header Menu: Direct your cursor to the top-right corner of the open Copilot sidebar.
3. Locate the More Options Menu: Click on the three dots (…) icon next to the close (X) button.
4. Select Your Preferred Mode:
   • If Copilot is currently docked, click Overlay to detach the panel and let it float over your windows.
   • If Copilot is currently floating over your screen, click Side by side (or the Dock icon) to snap the panel to the right edge and automatically resize your open applications.

Once selected, Windows 11 will remember your preferred view mode the next time you open Copilot. You can repeat these steps at any time to switch back based on your current task.