OpenAI has formally launched the ChatGPT application for Windows, making it accessible to all users. The desktop version for macOS was released in June 2024, with its Windows equivalent debuting approximately a month later.
At first, the ChatGPT app for Windows was solely available to individuals subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, Team, Enterprise, or those in academic settings. Now, the application is open to free users too. To begin, users can download the app from the Microsoft Store, while Mac users can get theirs from the official website. The Windows app requires Windows 10 version 17763.0 or better.
Overview of the ChatGPT Application for Windows
To utilize the app, log into your OpenAI account, with authentication handled through your standard web browser. While I won’t delve into the specifics of app usage, it is fairly analogous to the web version of the chatbot. Users can engage with the AI, review chat history, and generate text, code, images, and more. There is a Temporary Chat feature that restricts the app’s access to your history, memory, or personal information, although chat content will be retained on the server for 30 days for security purposes.
You can launch the ChatGPT desktop app using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space, provided the application is operating in the background. It also remains minimized in the system tray. The hotkey can be altered by navigating to your profile name (located in the bottom left corner) > Settings > App. This section also enables you to toggle between a light and dark theme for the interface.
One option to note is found under Personalization > Memory, which prevents the app from utilizing your chat history in forthcoming interactions, thus providing a customized experience. This setting is disabled by default, likely due to configurations from the web version adjustments. The particular setting that stops ChatGPT from leveraging your data to enhance its language model can be discovered under Data Controls > Improve the model for everyone.
The application description indicates that the ChatGPT desktop app is compatible with all OpenAI models, including the o1-preview, which is a premium feature. Both the Windows and Mac versions are developed on Electron technology, despite the Mac version being referred to as a native app.
On another note, the Mac version of the ChatGPT app can interface with third-party applications, although there are restrictions; currently, it accommodates tools like VS Code, Xcode, Terminal, and iTerm2.
Is the ChatGPT Desktop Application Worth Utilizing?
You may wonder about the advantages of employing the desktop app instead of the web version. The benefits hinge on individual preferences. The keyboard shortcut can significantly improve productivity, especially when juggling multiple applications. The desktop app also features voice chat capability, which, while not free, can be experimented with in the desktop or Android/iOS apps—a trial not available for the web version. It is crucial to mention that the Advanced Voice Mode is a premium feature accessible only to ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise users using GPT-4. From the app’s menu, users can access a variety of third-party GPT models, but constructing a personalized model requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription.
Another benefit of the desktop application is its compatibility with plugins linking to third-party services; however, this capability also necessitates a premium subscription. Users interested in additional functionalities can upgrade to a premium plan directly through the app, starting at $20 per month.
Despite its freemium model, the ChatGPT desktop application presents potential competition to Microsoft Copilot.
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