Windows 11 is evolving fast, and File Explorer is now more than just a file manager. With the introduction of AI Actions, Microsoft is adding intelligence directly into your right-click menu.
This new feature lets you perform quick, context-aware tasks like removing an image background, summarizing a document, or searching the web — without even opening another app. It’s one of the many ways Microsoft is integrating Copilot-style AI tools across Windows.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable and use AI Actions in File Explorer on Windows 11, how to check if the feature is available on your PC, and what to do if it’s missing.
Enable AI Actions in Windows 11 File Explorer
You’ll need a Windows 11 PC running version 24H2 or 25H2 (or a newer Insider build), along with an active Microsoft account connected to your system. Make sure you have a stable internet connection, as AI processing relies on cloud-based services.
Tip: The AI Actions feature is still rolling out gradually, starting with Windows Insider Dev and Canary channels, so if you don’t see it yet, your device may not have received the preview version.
Step 1: Check Your Windows Version
AI Actions are only available on newer Windows builds, so start by verifying your version.
- Press Windows + R, type
winver, and press Enter. - Check the Version field — if it reads 24H2 or 25H2, you’re good to go.
- If not, go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and install any available updates.
If you want early access, you can join the Windows Insider Program:
- Go to Settings → Windows Update → Windows Insider Program.
- Select Dev or Canary Channel to get preview features.
- Restart your PC once enrolled.
Step 2: Check If AI Actions Are Available in File Explorer
- Open File Explorer (press Windows + E).
- Navigate to any image file — for example, a
.jpg,.png, or.jpeg. - Right-click the file and check for an option labeled AI Actions or Ask Copilot > AI Actions.
If you see it, congratulations — AI Actions are active on your system. If not, the feature might not have rolled out to your device yet or your system needs further updates.
Step 3: Enable AI Actions Permissions
Because AI features use cloud-based intelligence, you may need to enable certain privacy permissions.
- Open Settings → Privacy & security → Text and image generation.
- Find AI features in Windows or Copilot permissions (this section may differ slightly by build).
- Make sure File Explorer and Copilot integration are allowed to use AI Actions.
- Restart File Explorer or sign out and sign back in to apply the settings.
Once permissions are granted, the AI Actions option should appear in your right-click menu.
Step 4: Use AI Actions in File Explorer
Once enabled, AI Actions let you perform intelligent operations directly from the context menu.
- Open File Explorer and right-click an image file.
- Choose AI Actions.
- You’ll see options such as:
- Remove background
- Blur background
- Erase objects
- Bing visual search
When you select one, Windows will either process it directly or open an associated app (like Photos or Paint) with the AI effect applied.
Microsoft plans to expand these options over time — soon you’ll be able to summarize documents or generate text previews with AI Actions too.
Step 5: Prepare for Upcoming AI Actions in Documents and Media
Right now, AI Actions focus mainly on images. But Microsoft has confirmed plans to extend support to:
- Documents (Word, PDFs, and text files) for summaries or quick previews.
- Videos and audio files for transcription or clip extraction.
To be ready for future rollouts:
- Keep Copilot enabled in Windows.
- Update Microsoft 365 apps if you use them for document handling.
- Stay in the Dev Channel if you want early access to these new features.
Step 6: Troubleshoot If AI Actions Don’t Appear
If you don’t see the AI Actions option:
- Make sure you’re running the latest Windows 11 Insider build (24H2 or higher).
- Restart File Explorer:
- Right-click the taskbar → Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer, right-click it → Restart.
- Ensure your Microsoft account is linked and OneDrive sync is active.
- If still missing, re-enable Copilot integration:
- Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Copilot (preview) and toggle it on.
AI Actions are tightly linked to Copilot, so disabling Copilot can hide the feature.
Step 7: Practical Uses for AI Actions
Once you have AI Actions enabled, you can use them to:
- Instantly clean up or edit photos without launching Paint or Photoshop.
- Search for related images online with Bing Visual Search.
- Summarize text-based files (coming soon).
- Automate small daily tasks directly from File Explorer.
The goal is to bring Copilot-level intelligence directly into your workflow, cutting down the time spent switching between apps.
Step 8: Stay Updated as AI Features Expand
Microsoft is continuously expanding AI integrations across Windows. To make sure you’re not missing new features:
- Turn on Automatic Updates under Windows Update → Advanced options.
- Keep an eye on Windows Insider blog posts for upcoming changes.
- Update Microsoft Edge, Photos, and Paint apps from the Microsoft Store — many AI features rely on these components.
Wrapping Up
The new AI Actions feature in Windows 11 File Explorer turns your right-click menu into a smart assistant. With it, you can perform AI-powered edits, searches, and analyses right from your desktop — no separate apps required.
If you’re part of the Windows Insider program, you can enable and use these actions today. For everyone else, the feature will roll out broadly in Windows 11 version 25H2 and beyond.
Once active, you’ll find File Explorer isn’t just about browsing files anymore — it’s about interacting intelligently with your content.
