ChatGPT App for Windows Now Available for Download: It it Different from the Website?

PC users can now access ChatGPT via a dedicated Windows app. OpenAI has made it available to all Windows 10 and 11 users, after initially restricting it to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. The app allows users to open a "companion window" on their PC, enabling easy use of the AI chatbot alongside other Windows programs, even without a paid account.

The Windows ChatGPT app offers features similar to its web-based counterpart, including ChatGPT search and Advanced Mode. However, these functions are exclusive to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who pay $20 monthly. Despite this, during our trial today, the Windows app provided a preview of the Advanced Mode for over 10 minutes.

ChatGPT App Features and Accessibility

OpenAI's macOS ChatGPT app received an upgrade in June, making it accessible to all users. A significant enhancement is its ability to read computer code from third-party apps. This feature addresses macOS users' concerns about frequently copying and pasting text from other apps into ChatGPT.

"For example, instead of copying and pasting code, you can pair ChatGPT with an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) or terminal," said OpenAI product developer Alex Embiricos. "When you're asking questions, ChatGPT can look at the content in the app to better answer your questions."

The macOS upgrades are currently limited to a small selection of coding tools but aim to support more apps over time. Users must manually activate this feature and choose which data the ChatGPT app can access to ensure privacy protection.

Enhanced Functionality for Apple Users

Apple users will benefit from OpenAI's improvements to the macOS ChatGPT app. These enhancements are initially available only to ChatGPT Plus and Team users. According to OpenAI, "Enterprise and Edu users will get access in the next few weeks." The upgrades are expected to be introduced to the Windows version of the app eventually.

The Windows ChatGPT app also includes a screenshot function, allowing users to easily provide images to the AI chatbot alongside standard photo uploads. Additionally, users can customise a hotkey for triggering the companion window.

"It's a little window you can pull up by pressing Alt + space," Embiricos explained during a briefing with journalists. "It's really easy to start a new chat without breaking your flow, pick up where you left off, or ask follow-up questions."

Currently, OpenAI has restricted this functionality on macOS to specific coding tools but plans broader support in the future. To maintain user privacy, activation requires manual input from users who must select what data the ChatGPT app can read.

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