Microsoft Scales Back Copilot in Windows 11 Apps

Microsoft has begun scaling back the prominent Copilot AI branding in select Windows 11 applications, responding to user feedback by removing dedicated buttons in tools like Notepad and Snipping Tool. The changes appear in the latest preview builds available to Windows Insiders, marking an effort to streamline AI integrations and improve overall system quality.

In the updated Notepad application, version 11.2512.28.0, the Copilot button that once occupied the top-right corner has been replaced by a pen icon labeled "Writing Tools." This submenu provides access to the same AI-powered features introduced earlier, including options to change tone or format, make text longer or shorter, rewrite content, summarize passages, and generate new writing. While the underlying AI capabilities remain intact, references to Copilot have been removed from the app's interface and settings, which now list these tools under a neutral "Advanced Features" section. Users can still disable the features if desired.

Similarly, the Snipping Tool has eliminated its Copilot integration. Previously, after capturing a screenshot with the quick markup annotation enabled, a Copilot button would prompt users...