Microsoft launches OpenAI's new free GPT model for Windows users

In the United States, Microsoft has introduced OpenAI's latest GPT model, known as gpt-oss-20b, to Windows 11 users. This announcement was made on August 6, 2025, as part of the tech giant's efforts to expand AI accessibility through its Windows AI Foundry platform. The gpt-oss-20b model is described as free and open, requiring a minimum of 16GB of VRAM to run efficiently on consumer PCs and laptops. Notably, the model has been optimized for tasks that involve code execution and tool usage. OpenAI has trained this model with high-compute reinforcement learning to enhance its performance in supporting AI agents, particularly in executing complex tasks like web searches and running Python code within structured workflows. Despite its advancements, the model is only capable of text processing, meaning it cannot generate images or audio. OpenAI has noted the model's propensity to hallucinate, with a recorded rate of 53% hallucinations when tested against its PersonQA benchmark, an internal measure of its knowledge accuracy regarding people. Following the model's introduction, Microsoft indicated plans to extend availability to macOS devices, although no specific timeline was given. Additionally, Microsoft is also offering previous models like gpt-oss-120b through its Azure AI Foundry platform, enhancing the toolkit available for Windows developers. This release marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time an open-weight model of this nature has been accessible on the Windows operating system. Microsoft emphasized its vision through this platform: empowering developers not only to utilize AI technologies but also to innovate and collaborate with these tools for building autonomous systems and embedding AI functionalities into real-world applications. Such developments are pivotal as the demand for AI capabilities continues to grow across various sectors. The introduction of gpt-oss-20b is particularly relevant in today’s tech landscape, where companies are racing to incorporate advanced AI functionalities into their products. Microsoft's ongoing commitment to expanding AI access aligns with broader industry trends, where AI is becoming increasingly integral to workplace efficiency and operational effectiveness. This move could potentially reshape the way developers interact with AI technologies and streamline the integration of intelligent systems into everyday tasks, especially in environments with limited bandwidth. As Microsoft proceeds with its initiative, the impact of these advancements is likely to evolve, paving the way for more sophisticated AI solutions in the near future.