It has been revealed that Microsoft did not remove Copilot from Windows 11, but simply renamed it, leading to complaints from some users.
Microsoft had been removing the
Microsoft isn't removing Copilot from Windows 11, it's just renaming it - Neowin
https://www.neowin.net/opinions/microsoft-isnt-removing-copilot-from-windows-11-its-just-renaming-it/
Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/909640/microsoft-removing-copilot-windows-11-buttons
On March 20, 2026, Pavan Davrli of the Windows Insider Program team introduced some of the initial changes that will be previewed in builds for Windows Insider Program participants between March and April 2026 in a Windows blog post . These changes include enhanced taskbar customization, improved control over Windows Update, and faster, more reliable File Explorer performance improvements. Below is an image of a desktop with the taskbar positioned at the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen.
Furthermore, Microsoft stated that they will be 'more deliberate in how and where Copilot is integrated across Windows,' and announced that they will be removing unnecessary Copilot buttons from apps such as Snipping Tool and Notepad. Microsoft said they are 'focusing on a truly useful and carefully crafted experience.'
In fact, it has been confirmed that the Copilot button has been removed from some apps. Below is a screenshot of the Notes app provided by The Verge, with the left image showing the app before the change and the right image showing it after. The Copilot icon that was in the toolbar has disappeared.
According to The Verge, while the Copilot icon has disappeared from the Notes app, the AI-powered writing tools remain available, although the 'AI features' have been renamed to 'Advanced features.' However, the standard Copilot feature can now be turned off simply by using a toggle switch in the 'Advanced features' settings.
Microsoft originally stated that it would 'skillfully and centrally integrate AI where it is most effective' and 'reduce unnecessary Copilot launch points,' not that it would eliminate AI altogether. However, according to the technology news site Neowin, the announcement that Copilot, which was included in all tools, would be removed has led to dissatisfaction among some users who had hoped that 'unnecessary AI impositions would disappear.' Complaints such as 'I feel deceived that they are trying to completely eliminate AI integration features from Windows 11' have been posted on Neowin's forums and other places.
On the social news site Hacker News, comments include: 'We've always expected Notepad to be a simple utility, so why do we need optional AI features? It just feels bloated,' and 'Microsoft's placement of AI features says it all about the current product development priorities.' There are also comments like, 'Every piece of software we use has a huge number of features that users have wanted for years. Yet companies are adding shoddy AI that nobody asked for as a top priority, ignoring the users' own issues with the software. This will only make people lose faith in the software.'
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