Microsoft to Release Separate Changelogs for Windows 11 AI Components and Model Updates

For users with a Copilot+ PC, Microsoft is consistently delivering new AI models, though keeping track of these updates can be challenging, particularly if you’re not vigilant about version numbers. Many people overlook the Windows Update history page, but Microsoft has stepped in to create a comprehensive list of new AI components that will keep you informed.

A recent discovery by Windows Latest revealed a support document titled “Release Information for AI Components”. This document is now available alongside the standard release notes for Windows 11 updates, such as versions 25H2 and 24H2. Furthermore, Microsoft is committed to maintaining changelogs for all AI models, similar to its approach for Windows updates.

Below is a screenshot showing the AI components changelog document:

It’s important to note that most of the documentation seen in the screenshot redirects to the Windows Patch Tuesday releases, and a distinct changelog is not presently available.

Understanding AI Components on Windows 11 and Their Installation Process

The AI components are essential for running specific AI models locally on your device. Microsoft suggests that users refer to the KB release notes to learn about updates and installation methods. Currently, AI models can be installed via Windows Update, typically being installed automatically on compatible PCs (those that meet the requirement of over 40 TOPs of Neural Processing Unit).

Alternatively, users can utilize Microsoft Update. For those unfamiliar, packages from the Microsoft Update Catalog (.msu) already include these models by default, which partly explains why the size of Windows 11 Patch Tuesday updates has surged to between 4-5GB. This is a significant increase compared to the previous updates before the introduction of Copilot+ PCs, which typically were under 800MB.

Windows update offline installer size — The offline installer size for Windows updates has nearly reached 5GB.

If you own one of the “AI” PCs, management of these components can be done through Settings > System > AI Components. It’s worth mentioning that this section will remain empty on older models.

Note: All new PCs are designated as “AI” PCs.

A Comprehensive Overview of AI Components on Windows 11

The changelog presents a detailed table of individual components, including the Settings Model, Image Search, Semantic Analysis, Content Extraction, as well as lower-level elements such as Execution Provider and imaging components like Image Transform and Image Processing. Notably, Phi Silica is included as its own component with distinct KB entries.

According to Windows Latest, AI models receive subtle updates approximately every few weeks, although users may not visibly notice these changes. For instance, on December 9, updates included version 1.2511.1224.0 across several components, coinciding with the Windows 11 Patch Tuesday releases. Additionally, updates rolled out on December 1, 2025, with version 1.2511.1196.0 across multiple components and various Execution Provider versions, aligning with the postponed November 2025 optional updates.

While some of these models may have enhanced Copilot functionalities in applications like Paint, Notepad, or Windows Recall, comprehensive breakdowns of these improvements are currently lacking.

It appears that Microsoft is gearing up for a more regular update schedule for models and components on Windows 11, necessitating a clearer system for tracking changes that occur outside the main monthly Windows updates.

In contrast, Microsoft does not provide separate changelog support documents for built-in applications such as Photos or Paint, aside from prominent products like Office and Outlook.

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