Copilot only displays a bar to drop files into when I hit the button on my laptop

Georgine Earth 0 Reputation points
2026-10-15T14:33:13.24+00:00

I have already tried the following:

  1. I tried repairing or resetting it in "Settings" -> "Apps" -> "Installed Apps" -> "Microsoft Copilot" -> "Three dots ...", but it doesn't have a "Reset" option. I've tried "Repair," but it says there is nothing to repair.
  2. Clear Cached Credentials: Win + S, search for "Credential Manager" -> open "Windows Credentials" -> Remove any entries listed under "Copilot" and "Microsoft Account" -> Restart laptop. My laptop doesn't list anything under "Windows Credentials".
  3. Run the Copilot Troubleshooter. Open the "Get Help", was directed to search "Copilot License Troubleshooter", and nothing was found, then "Copilot Connectivity Troubleshooter" and tried to fix there. Nothing.
  4. Reinstall Copilot. I uninstalled, then reinstalled. Nothing.
  5. Updated the app. Nothing.
  6. Clear the app's cached web data. Did that and nothing.
  7. Windows + I into accounts -> email & accounts -> ensure the microsoft account you use on other devices is listed and says all apps can sign me in. Done, and nothing.

I am not sure what other route I can go. Anyone?

Microsoft Copilot | Windows Copilot | App
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-15T14:34:05.98+00:00

    Open Copilot from the Windows Start menu rather than the laptop’s Copilot button, because that button can be configured to launch the smaller Quick View instead of the full application.^1^

    Open and configure the full app

    1. Press Start, type Copilot, and open Microsoft Copilot.
    2. If the complete chat interface appears, open: Account → Settings → Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts.
    3. Change the Copilot-key action from Quick View to the full application.
    4. Close Copilot, press the laptop’s Copilot button again, and confirm that it now opens the complete chat window.

    The file-drop area is part of Copilot’s upload functionality, but the normal experience also provides a prompt box where you can ask questions about uploaded files.^2^

    If Start also opens only the file-drop interface

    Since repair, reinstall, updating, cache clearing, credential clearing, account registration, and the connectivity troubleshooter have already been attempted, do not repeat those steps. Check whether this is tied to the current Copilot app transition:

    1. Open a private/InPrivate browser window.
    2. Go to copilot.microsoft.com.
    3. Sign in using the same account and sign-in method used previously—Microsoft account, Continue with Google, or Continue with Apple.
    4. Test whether the normal chat composer appears.

    Microsoft states that accounts can move to the updated Copilot experience at different times and that temporary functionality gaps can occur during rollout.^3^ Chat remains an available feature in the updated app, including for personal-account users without a Microsoft 365 subscription.^4^

    • If chat works in the browser: use that as the immediate workaround. The problem is limited to the Windows app or its current account rollout state.
    • If chat fails in both places: test another eligible account, if available, using a separate InPrivate session. Personal and work/school experiences remain separate, so this can distinguish an account-specific issue from a device-wide one.^4^

    Report the remaining app issue

    If the full application still shows only the drop zone:

    1. In Copilot, select … in the upper-right corner.
    2. Select Send feedback → Report a problem.
    3. Include:
      • A screenshot of the file-drop-only window
      • Whether Start → Microsoft Copilot and the laptop button behave identically
      • Whether chat works in an InPrivate browser
      • Windows version and OS build
      • The approximate date the problem began

    This sends the symptom and device details through Copilot’s documented reporting path.^3^

    References

    1. Access Microsoft Copilot on Windows
    2. File upload in Microsoft Copilot
    3. Troubleshoot Your Content in the Updated Copilot App | Microsoft Support
    4. Copilot app updates for personal, work, and school accounts
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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