Microsoft starts removing unnecessary Copilot buttons in Windows 11
Microsoft has rolled out an update to Notepad for Windows Insiders that removes the Copilot branding and icon from the app, Windows Central reported. The old Copilot menu has been replaced with “writing tools”, but it’s worth noting that the tools are still AI-powered and are pretty much identical to the selection found in the old menu. Microsoft has just replaced the Copilot button with a pen icon. Additionally, the company removed mentions of AI in the Settings menu and placed the option to disable AI-based writing tools in the “Advanced Features” section.
The company first announced it was retiring its Copilot brand last month, likely in response to all the criticism against the AI assistant. It’s not popular, people complain that Microsoft forces them to use Assistant in all of its apps and that Copilot doesn’t provide a consistent experience across different apps. “You’ll see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates into Windows,” said Pavan Davuluri, executive vice president of Windows and devices. Microsoft also promised to remove “unnecessary Copilot entry points”, starting with Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets. According to The edge, Microsoft has already stopped showing the Copilot button when selecting areas to capture with the Snipping tool. Clearly, the company has made good progress in at least removing Copilot’s visual reminders from its apps.
