Whoops: Microsoft Update Unintentionally Disables Copilot in Windows
Microsoft Copilot App Issues After Recent Windows Update
Windows Update Removes Copilot
If you’re not a fan of artificial intelligence, a recent update to Windows might actually benefit you. Microsoft has rolled out an update that inadvertently removes its AI assistant, Copilot, from Windows 10 and 11 systems. Last week, users started noticing that the Copilot app was disappearing from their computers after installing updates released on March 11, 2025.
Microsoft acknowledged this glitch, stating it was aware of the issue: “We’re aware of an issue with the Microsoft Copilot app affecting some devices. The app is unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar.” This means that for some users, the AI assistant could vanish entirely, leading to mixed reactions online.
User Reactions
Interestingly, some Windows users responded with humor to this unintended removal. On social media platforms like Reddit, users commented with phrases such as “I wish this wasn’t a bug,” reflecting a sentiment that the surprise disappearance might not be such a bad thing after all. Comments like “Finally a good feature” suggest that many users might prefer their systems without the presence of Copilot.
Copilot: A Controversial Addition
Microsoft introduced Copilot in late 2023, leveraging OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to offer a digital assistant integrated into Windows operating systems. While some users find this tool beneficial, many others view it as unnecessary software bloat. Concerns have also been raised about privacy, as Copilot collects user data for training purposes. However, users can deactivate certain data-collecting features within the application.
How to Manage Copilot Settings
For those who prefer to control how Copilot interacts with their system, Microsoft has provided options to toggle the assistant on and off in the settings menu. Despite this, the recent bug significantly impacted affected users by completely removing the app instead of merely disabling it.
To help those impacted by this issue, Microsoft has suggested that users can reinstall the Copilot app directly from the Microsoft Store. Once reinstalled, they can manually pin it back to the taskbar for easy access. Notably, this bug does not affect the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, ensuring that users of that specific application are not impacted by the issue.
Steps to Reinstall Copilot
If you’ve found yourself without Copilot after the recent update, here’s how to reinstall it:
- Open the Microsoft Store: Use the search bar to find the Microsoft Store application.
- Search for Copilot: Input “Copilot” into the search field and locate the app.
- Reinstall the App: Click on the install button to download the app again.
- Pin to Taskbar: After installation, right-click on the app icon and select "Pin to taskbar" for quick access.
The Bigger Picture
The irony behind this situation is not lost on tech enthusiasts; many see this bug as a form of unintended software optimization given the ongoing debates around the necessity and efficiency of software assistants like Copilot.
With AI’s growing presence in everyday technology, having the option to remove such features, whether through a glitch or not, reflects the varying needs of users in handling their operating systems.
