Microsoft Cuts Back on Unnecessary Copilot AI in Windows

Microsoft revealed plans for a series of measures designed to improve Windows -- with reducing the number of Copilot AI integrations among the most notable.

The updates were confirmed in a blog by vice president Pavan Davuluri, which acknowledged the operating system required improvement.

“Over the past several months, the team and I have spent a great deal of time analyzing your feedback. What came through was the voice of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better,” Pavan Davuluri stated.

Among a slate of changes promised for builds later this month and in April was a rethink about how Microsoft incorporates AI features into Windows.

Davuluri said the company will look to integrate AI where “it’s most meaningful, with craft and focus.”

“You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows,” and in an apparent concession that previous integrations had not been completely thought through, there would be a focus “on experiences that are genuinely useful and well crafted".

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Davuluri said the number of “unnecessary Copilot entry points” would be reduced, starting with apps such as Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets and Notepad.

Microsoft’s pullback comes amid growing public mistrust of AI, with an NBC survey published earlier in March showing that 46 per cent of 1,000 voters polled viewed it negatively, while only 26 per cent viewed it positively. This was backed up by Pew Research findings published on March 12 that showed, as of June last year, half of U.S. adults said the increased use of AI in daily life makes them feel “more concerned than excited”.

Microsoft also introduced several other measures to sharpen up the Windows experience. These include more taskbar customization, including the ability to position it at the top and the side of the screen; giving users more control over Windows updates to reduce disruption; making File Explorer faster to launch and more reliable; and making it easier to deliver feedback on Windows.

The moves are being interpreted as an attempt to prevent more people from exploring alternative Linux options.

About the Author

Contributing Writer

Graham Hope has worked in automotive journalism in the U.K. for 26 years, including spells as editor of leading consumer news website and weekly Auto Express and respected buying guide CarBuyer.