Microsoft explains how Windows 11’s AI agents will get access to your files, but bigger worries remain – December 2025

Author/Source: Darren Allan See the full link here

Takeaway

This article explains Microsoft’s plans for how new AI tools in Windows 11 will be able to look at your computer files. It covers how Microsoft hopes to keep your information private and safe, but also points out that there are still big concerns about these new features.

Technical Subject Understandability

Intermediate

Analogy/Comparison

Giving AI tools access to your computer files is like giving a new helper a key to your personal filing cabinet.

Why It Matters

This topic is important because many people worry about their private information being accessed by AI. For example, if AI can see your personal documents, there are concerns about how this data will be protected from being misused or seen by others without permission.

Related Terms

AI agents, Secure processing units (SPUs), Sandboxing, Least privilege principle, Confidential computing. Jargon Conversion: AI agents are smart computer programs that can help you with tasks. Secure processing units (SPUs) are special parts of a computer’s chip that keep information safe while it’s being used. Sandboxing is like putting a computer program in a playpen so it can’t mess with the rest of your computer. The least privilege principle means a program should only have the minimum access needed to do its job. Confidential computing is a way of protecting data while it’s being processed, even from the company that owns the computer.

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