OpenAI has begun testing a native ChatGPT app for Windows, offering paid users early access to its powerful AI chatbot in a dedicated app. After already being available on platforms like macOS, iOS, and Android, this marks a significant step in providing a more integrated experience for Windows users. However, the app is currently limited to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Enterprise, Team, and Edu, with plans to open it to all users later this year.
Key Features of the ChatGPT Windows App
The new ChatGPT app brings the same functionality that users enjoy on macOS, including the ability to ask the AI-powered chatbot questions, upload files, and images, and access OpenAI’s GPT-4 and O1 model preview. A major feature of the Windows version is the Alt + Space shortcut, allowing users to quickly open the app and interact with ChatGPT without disrupting other work. This dedicated window can be minimized and used alongside other applications, providing a seamless multitasking experience.
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Additionally, the app integrates the O1 model, a tool that enhances the chatbot’s reasoning abilities, giving users more advanced responses to complex questions. While the Windows app offers most features already seen in the Mac, Android, and iOS versions, there are some notable exceptions. For instance, the advanced voice mode, which has been a key feature in other versions, is missing in this early release. OpenAI is expected to add this capability in the future.
Addressing Early Concerns
This isn’t the first dedicated desktop app from OpenAI. Shortly after launching the ChatGPT app for Mac in June, a security vulnerability was discovered, which exposed conversations in plain text. OpenAI has since addressed the issue, encrypting locally stored data to ensure user privacy across all platforms, including the new Windows version.
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Currently, only paid members have access to the early version of the ChatGPT app for Windows. This includes subscribers to ChatGPT Plus, Enterprise, Team, and Edu, who can download the app from the Microsoft Store. OpenAI has confirmed that they will make the app available to all users later in the year, likely when a more stable version is ready.
