Microsoft Reinstates Copilot on Your PC After Uninstallation
Microsoft has released its latest Patch Tuesday update, addressing a total of 57 security vulnerabilities, including seven zero-day flaws. It’s crucial for all Windows users to install this update promptly, particularly because zero-day vulnerabilities present serious risks to their systems.
Copilot Removed in the Recent Windows Update
After updating their systems with KB5053598 for Windows 11 or KB5053606 for Windows 10, some users discovered that Copilot was not only unpinned from the taskbar but also completely uninstalled from their PCs. Microsoft did not provide an explanation for this oversight in the latest updates, yet they stated that the issue wasn’t observed in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which is the Copilot integrated into the Microsoft Office suite.
Fortunately, Microsoft has since resolved this problem. According to their support documents for both Windows 11 and 10, “This issue has been fixed, and the affected devices are being returned to their original state. You can also reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store and pin it to the taskbar.”
If you don’t see Copilot back immediately, you can manually reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store and pin it back to your taskbar. This was also the solution Microsoft advised while they worked on a fix throughout the past week.
User Feedback and Alternatives
However, some users may not wish to reinstall Copilot. In fact, many are actively looking for ways to disable Copilot, and various tools are available that assist in removing it from their systems. Ironically, by uninstalling it due to a software patch, Microsoft may have inadvertently done some users a favor, especially those who find the AI tool intrusive.
Despite these frustrations, Copilot is not without its merits. Users can benefit from a range of new features offered by Copilot that enhance the Windows experience. There are also reports indicating that Copilot might be making its way to macOS users as well, providing potential advantages across platforms.
For those who have yet to see the value in AI tools, particularly in the two-and-a-half years since the advent of generative AI with ChatGPT, the recent update’s removal of Copilot might be welcome news. The juxtaposition of users seeking ways to disable Copilot while Microsoft promotes its AI capabilities underscores the differing perspectives among the user base.
