Cocreator
Cocreator is an AI-powered creative tool on Copilot+ devices that generates images, emojis, and visual content from text descriptions using on-device NPU processing.
Why It Exists
Users need creative AI tools that generate visual content from ideas without external apps, subscriptions, or complex design software.
How It Works
Cocreator is Microsoft's AI-powered creative generation tool for Copilot+ Windows devices. Using the device's NPU and cloud AI models, the system creates images, emojis, and visual content from text descriptions. Users can generate custom artwork, create personalized emojis, design graphics, and explore creative ideas. The system combines on-device processing for quick previews with cloud generation for high-quality final results. Cocreator integrates with Paint, Photos, and other Windows apps.
Everyday Use Cases
- AI image generation
- Custom emoji creation
- Graphic design
- Art concept generation
- Logo creation
- Visual storytelling
- Creative exploration
User Workflow
- User opens Cocreator in Paint, Photos, or standalone
- Enters a text prompt describing the desired image
- AI generates preview thumbnails on-device via NPU
- User selects a preview for full generation
- High-quality image is created and saved
AI Processing Flow
Text prompts are processed by on-device NPU language models for initial concept analysis. Image generation uses diffusion models accelerated by the NPU for previews. High-quality final generation may use cloud-based models with user consent. Emoji creation uses specialized style models. All user data is processed according to Microsoft privacy policies.
Inputs / Outputs
Inputs:
- Text prompts
- Style preferences
- Color palette
- Image dimensions
- Output format
- Reference images
Outputs:
- Generated images
- Custom emojis
- Graphic designs
- Art previews
- Style variations
- Exportable assets
Known Limitations
- Complex prompts may be simplified
- Cloud generation requires internet and Microsoft account
- Image quality varies by prompt clarity
- Emoji library limited at launch
Unsupported Scenarios
- Real-time collaboration
- Animated GIF generation
- Vector export
- Social media optimization
- Batch generation
Performance Notes
Preview generation in 3-8 seconds on NPU; Cloud generation 8-15 seconds; Emoji creation in under 5 seconds; Supports 1024x1024 output; NPU handles 60 percent of preview workload
Available On
Shows where this feature is available and how its AI processing works on each platform. Availability may vary by device.
| Platform | Execution | Offline | Cloud | OS / Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot+ | Local | Yes | No - on-device | Windows 11 24H2 |
Research Status
Confidence and verification reflect how complete documentation is. Fields may show Not assessed or Not yet verified while research is ongoing - this flags gaps, not product deficiencies.
| Research Status | Verified |
| Confidence | High |
| First introduced | 2024-09-04 |
| Last updated | 2026-08-16 |
| Last verified | 2026-08-16 |
Research Notes
Available on Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11; Requires Microsoft account for cloud features; Introduced with Windows 11 2024 Update; Microsoft Designer ecosystem
Details
| Vendor | Microsoft |
| AI Platform | Copilot+ |
| Category | Image Generation |
Capability Mapping
This feature maps to canonical capability family: Visual Understanding, Image Generation.
Canonical capabilities: Emoji Generation, Image Generation, Visual Understanding.
- Emoji Generation - Creates custom emoji-like symbols or stickers from prompts, emoji combinations, or people/photos.
- Image Generation - Creates novel imagery or emoji-like generated outputs from prompts.
- Visual Understanding - Interprets what is in view and provides contextual understanding or actions.
Grounded in 4 device(s) on Copilot+.
Related Features
- Genmoji - Cross-platform equivalent
- Photo Assist - Complementary
This page describes platform-level capability; not device-level support for any specific product.