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The current supported Copilot Vision workflow requires an active voice conversation, so typing prompts while Copilot continuously views the shared screen is not currently documented as an available workflow on either Windows or the web.
What changed
Microsoft now documents these as separate modes:
- Text chat: Type questions in the normal message box, but without continuous screen sharing.
- Copilot Voice: Conduct a real-time spoken conversation.
- Vision: Share a screen or window during a Copilot Voice conversation and ask questions by voice. Vision is currently accessible only through voice chat.^1^
There is no published known issue specifically identifying version 156.0.4314.58 as breaking typed input during Vision. Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Copilot experience, and its documentation warns that the interface may differ while the rollout proceeds.^2^ Windows preview release notes also explicitly mention visual, navigation, and feature-availability changes, including temporary Vision gaps.^3^
Available options
1. Continue using Vision with voice
On Windows:
- Open Copilot and sign in.
- Select Start a new voice chat, or press Win+C or the Copilot key.
- Select Start screen share.
- Choose the relevant window rather than the entire desktop.
- Ask questions by voice.
- Select Stop sharing when finished.
That is the currently documented workflow for both the Windows desktop app and web experience.^4^
Because the workspace is shared, be aware that background speech may still be captured despite noise suppression.^5^
2. Use ordinary text chat with manually supplied images
If speaking is not practical, leave Voice/Vision and use the standard text conversation. Screenshots must then be attached manually; the available Microsoft documentation does not identify a Windows, web, or mobile Copilot platform that supports typed prompts plus continuous live Vision screen sharing.
3. Check account eligibility
Current Vision availability requires one of the following:
- A work or school account with a Microsoft Copilot license.
- A personal account with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium.
Microphone permission is also required because Vision operates within a voice conversation.^2^
Consequently, paying for a qualifying subscription may provide Vision access, but it does not establish that typed prompts inside a Vision session will return.
Report the missing workflow
Since this began immediately after the update and substantially affects accessibility and productivity:
- Press Win+F to open Feedback Hub.
- Select Report a problem.
- Categorize it under Apps → Copilot on Windows.
- Include:
- Copilot version
156.0.4314.58 - Windows version and build
- Account type: personal or work/school
- Whether the typed box disappears only after starting Voice/Vision
- A screenshot or short recording showing the previous workflow is unavailable
- Copilot version
- State specifically that the requested capability is typed prompts while Vision continuously shares a selected window, not dictation or ordinary text chat.
That category is the documented feedback route for Copilot on Windows.^3^
Repairing or reinstalling the app is unlikely to restore a workflow that now matches the documented voice-only design. It is reasonable only if ordinary text chat or the Voice button is also malfunctioning.
References
- How vision in Microsoft Copilot works | Microsoft Support
- Get started with vision capabilities in Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft Support
- Copilot on Windows release notes - Windows Insider Program
- Use vision in Microsoft Copilot
- Frequently asked questions about voice features in Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft Support