Microsoft Removes Copilot Buttons From Certain Windows Apps

Microsoft has begun removing specific Copilot buttons and branding from several Windows 11 applications. This move follows a strategy to reduce what the company describes as unnecessary entry points for its AI assistant, shifting away from a highly visible integration approach that encountered negative user feedback.

The changes are appearing in the latest versions of Windows 11 for Insiders. In the Notepad application, the dedicated Copilot button has been removed and replaced with a menu titled writing tools. According to reporting from Engadget, this new menu is represented by a pen icon.

While the branding has changed, the underlying AI functionality remains intact. The options available within the writing tools menu are reported to be nearly identical to those previously found under the Copilot branding, allowing users to access AI-powered writing assistance without the explicit Copilot label.

Application and System Changes

The removal process extends beyond Notepad to other core Windows utilities. In the Snipping Tool, the Copilot button no longer appears to the user when selecting an area of the screen to capture.

Microsoft is also targeting the following applications for the removal of unnecessary Copilot buttons:

• Photos
• Widgets

Beyond individual applications, Microsoft has modified the Windows 11 Settings menu. Mentions of AI have been removed from this area, and the option to disable AI-powered writing tools has been relocated to the Advanced features section.

Corporate Strategy and User Feedback

These adjustments follow an announcement made in March 2026 by Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s President of Windows and Devices. The company indicated it would be more selective about how the AI assistant is integrated into the operating system.

You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows

Pavan Davuluri, EVP of Windows and Devices

The decision to dial back the branding appears to be a response to criticisms regarding the forced nature of the assistant’s integration. Users have reported that the assistant was pushed into too many corners of the OS and failed to provide a consistent experience across different applications.

The aggressive integration strategy was further complicated by Microsoft’s own official terms of service, which until recently stated that Copilot was for entertainment purposes only.

Broader Implications for Windows 11

The current removal of software buttons is part of a broader plan to fix Windows 11 by reducing superfluous AI entry points. This transition allows users who prefer to avoid AI tools to do so more easily while keeping the features available for those who want them.

Industry observers are now monitoring whether Microsoft will extend this reduction in branding to hardware. Specifically, there is interest in whether the company will remove the requirement for dedicated Copilot buttons on laptop keyboards, which have been a point of contention for some users and reviewers.