Microsoft begins removing Copilot from Windows 11

Microsoft has surprised many by removing Copilot AI features from key parts of Windows 11. After years of aggressively integrating AI into almost every corner of the operating system, the company is now starting to phase it out. The first apps to do so are Notepad and Snipping Tool, where the AI-assisted buttons are already disappearing.

Microsoft’s AI strategy in Windows 11 has taken an unexpected turn. The company has officially begun the process of removing Copilot integration from some of its most popular built-in apps. The first signs of this retreat appeared in the latest beta versions of the system, where the “Explain with Copilot” feature in Notepad and the AI analysis button in Snipping Tool suddenly became a thing of the past.

In Notepad, Copilot was designed to help users understand complex pieces of text, code, or log files directly within the editor. Right-clicking on highlighted text opened the Copilot sidebar, which offered explanations. Similarly, the Snipping Tool included a Copilot button that allowed for quick analysis of captured screenshots, text recognition, or visual search. These shortcuts have now been removed, suggesting a shift in the way users interact with AI.

The move is reportedly driven by Microsoft’s desire to “simplify the experience” and reduce interface clutter. Rather than having Copilot fragmented into dozens of small buttons within each individual app, the company is clearly moving toward centralized use via a dedicated Copilot app or a keyboard shortcut. While the AI features are still available as part of the broader ecosystem, their removal from context menus means users will now have to manually copy content into the main chat window, which adds to the time-consuming workflow.

Interestingly, this move comes at a time when Microsoft is preparing new AI features for more powerful PCs. However, it seems that user feedback about the intrusive integration into the core tools played a key role in this decision. Windows 11 is becoming a bit more like its predecessor, with the focus returning to clean and purposeful use of tools, while Copilot remains in the background as an optional companion rather than an integral part of every click.