copilot / windows 11 / microsoft edge

Microsoft has begun removing what it calls "unnecessary" Copilot buttons from several Windows 11 apps, starting with Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets in Insiders builds. The Notepad Copilot button was replaced with a "writing tools" menu that retains AI-powered functionality, and the Snipping Tool no longer shows a Copilot button when selecting a capture area. The move is part of Microsoft's pledge to reduce redundant Copilot entry points as part of broader Windows 11 fixes; AI features remain in place but with less prominent Copilot branding. The change signals Microsoft responding to user feedback about intrusive or superfluous AI UI elements across the OS.

Microsoft has begun removing visible Copilot buttons from several Windows 11 apps — including Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets — as part of its pledge to reduce “unnecessary Copilot entry points.” In the Insider build of Notepad the Copilot button was replaced by a “writing tools” menu that retains the same AI-powered features without the Copilot branding; the Snipping Tool no longer shows a Copilot button when selecting a capture. The move signals Microsoft is dialing back intrusive UI placements while keeping underlying AI capabilities, and raises questions about whether more Copilot buttons (including keyboard shortcuts on laptops) will be removed next.

Microsoft has begun rolling back Copilot integrations in Windows 11, starting by removing the AI assistant from built-in apps such as Notepad and Snipping Tool. The change, spotted by users and discussed on Reddit, appears to be an initial step in deprecating some Copilot features from the OS rather than a full removal; Microsoft has not issued a broad formal statement explaining the rationale. This matters because Copilot was a flagship AI enhancement for Windows 11, tied to the company’s broader push to embed generative AI across productivity and OS experiences. Developers, enterprise customers, and users will watch for follow-up details about which features remain, how updates will be delivered, and what this signals about Microsoft’s AI strategy.

"The new Copilot app for Windows 11 is really just Microsoft Edge"

"The new Copilot app for Windows 11 is really just Microsoft Edge"