Microsoft has been adding AI features to Windows for a while, with Copilot being a big focus. It started as a built-in tool, changed to a web-based app, and is now being adjusted again. Now, Microsoft is removing Copilot from some Windows 11 PCs, leaving users confused.
A recent Windows update is uninstalling Copilot from some PCs and unpinning it from the taskbar. If you have already removed it, this won’t affect you. But for many, it’s an unexpected change.
Microsoft says they are “working on a fix.” If you want Copilot back, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store and pin it to the taskbar. But the bigger question is—why was it removed in the first place? Some speculate it could be due to stability issues, while others think Microsoft is rethinking its AI strategy.
Since mid-2023, Copilot has been included in Windows 11 and even got its own keyboard key in early 2024. Originally, it could chat, answer questions, and even perform tasks like switching dark mode, taking screenshots, and enabling Do Not Disturb. But many of these features have disappeared over time.
Some users have even seen store display ads promoting features that Copilot no longer has. This constant change has made things confusing. It raises the question: Is Microsoft struggling to define what Copilot should be? The company seems to be experimenting, but the lack of consistency makes it hard for users to rely on the feature.
Microsoft is testing another version of Copilot, rolling it out to Windows Insider testers. This version is back to being a native app but still doesn’t fully integrate into Windows. Instead of switching to dark mode directly, it now just gives instructions on how to do it.
This shift makes it feel like Copilot is being downgraded rather than improved. If it’s not deeply integrated into Windows, what’s the point? Could Microsoft be scaling back Copilot due to lukewarm user response, or is this a temporary step before a major upgrade? Only time will tell. For now, if your Copilot is missing, reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store is the quickest fix—but don’t be surprised if it changes again soon.
