Microsoft Has Removed Copilot From Your Computer
Microsoft has recently released its Patch Tuesday update, which addresses a significant number of security vulnerabilities. This month’s update patches 57 different flaws, including seven zero-day vulnerabilities, making it crucial for all Windows users to install the update as soon as they can. Zero-day vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they are exploitable by attackers before a fix is available, posing a severe security threat to users.
Copilot Removed in the Latest Windows Update
Along with critical security fixes, some users installing the March updates, specifically KB5053598 for Windows 11 or KB5053606 for Windows 10, have discovered that the update not only unpinned the Copilot app from their taskbar but also completely uninstalled it from their systems. As of now, Microsoft has not provided a reason for the unexpected removal of Copilot, although it has stated that this bug was not observed in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which is integrated into Office applications.
Microsoft is currently working on a new update to address this issue and possibly restore access to Copilot for the affected users. In the meantime, those who want to restore Copilot can do so by downloading the app from the Microsoft Store and pinning it back to their taskbar themselves.
Mixed User Reactions to Copilot’s Removal
Interestingly, not all users are keen on restoring Copilot. Many are actively searching for ways to disable it, and there are even tools designed to help remove it from Windows entirely. This raises an ironic situation where Microsoft, which actively promotes its AI tools, inadvertently helped users by removing a feature they may not have wanted in the first place.
Understanding the Benefits of Copilot
Despite some criticism, Copilot isn’t without its merits. The AI tool is designed to assist Windows users by providing various functionalities that aim to enhance productivity. Some users may find value in features like generating text, assisting with brainstorming, or managing tasks. However, if you haven’t found Copilot beneficial over the past couple of years since the rise of generative AIs like ChatGPT, you might actually prefer that it remains unavailable to you.
In summary, while the latest Patch Tuesday update from Microsoft serves to enhance the security of Windows systems significantly, it has also led to some unexpected changes regarding the availability of the Copilot app. Microsoft is on the case, working to fix these issues, but for now, users can choose to reinstall the app if they wish or perhaps appreciate the unexpected break from it.
