"Microsoft has begun rolling out a public preview of native support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) in the latest Windows 11 Insider builds, edging its much-touted "agentic OS" vision closer to reality. The update is rolling out to Windows Insiders on the Dev and Beta channels as part of build 26220.7344 and provides insight into where Microsoft is going with the technology."
"Microsoft previewed the functionality at its Build event earlier this year, but the Windows Insider Dev and Beta releases indicate what the service will look like when it's out in the wild. MCP is an open standard that provides AI agents with a universal way to connect with apps, tools, and services. Think of it as USB-C for AI. Microsoft is not first to the MCP party by any means, but it is determined to make Windows into an agentic OS, which needs native MCP support to be useful."
"The default behavior in the public preview is locked down. Microsoft said, "By default, all agent connectors in the Windows on-device registry will be contained in a secure environment with their own identity and audit trail." There are two connectors built into this release - one for File Explorer, which allows an agent to roam local files with the user's consent, and another for Windows Settings, which allows an agent to make changes to the device's settings."
Windows 11 Insider builds on the Dev and Beta channels (build 26220.7344) include a public preview of native Model Context Protocol (MCP) support. MCP provides a standardized method for AI agents to connect with apps, tools, and services. The preview defaults to a locked-down model where agent connectors are contained in a secure environment with distinct identities and audit trails. The release includes two connectors: File Explorer access that can roam local files with user consent, and Windows Settings access that can modify device settings. User mistrust of expanded AI features and calls to prioritize core Windows reliability remain significant challenges.
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