Perplexity has launched a new tool called Personal Computer, designed to transform standard Windows PCs into powerful AI agents. The feature enables Microsoft users to perform tasks across local files, Microsoft Office 365, and the web—all from a single interface.
As of early 2026, this release positions Perplexity as a key competitor in the AI desktop assistant space, challenging offerings from Microsoft Copilot and third-party AI tools. The Personal Computer agent can automate multi-step workflows, retrieve data from spreadsheets, draft documents in Word, and search the web simultaneously.
Perplexity stated: “Now Microsoft users can ask Computer to work across their local files, Microsoft Office 365, and the web in one place.”
Key Features
- Unified interaction: Users can issue natural-language commands that span local storage, cloud apps, and online resources.
- Office 365 integration: Seamlessly works with Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft applications.
- Task automation: The AI agent can execute complex sequences, such as pulling data from an email, updating a spreadsheet, and sending a summary report.
- Privacy-first design: Local file processing occurs on-device when possible, minimizing data exposure.
2026 Context
With the rise of AI agents in enterprise and consumer markets, Perplexity’s move targets users seeking a more capable and unified digital assistant. The tool is expected to compete directly with Microsoft’s own Copilot for Windows, as well as newer entrants like Google’s Gemini desktop agent. Analysts note that Perplexity’s advantage lies in its ability to combine web search intelligence with deep local file access—a rare combination as of early 2026.
Availability
Perplexity Personal Computer is currently available for Windows 10 and 11 users. A macOS version is reportedly in development, though no release date has been announced.
via The Verge AI