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Microsoft Tones Down Copilot in Windows 11 Test Builds

The shift signals a move to keep AI features quieter after sustained user pushback.

Overview

  • In the latest Windows Insider preview, Notepad drops the Copilot name in favor of a “Writing Tools” label with a pen icon.
  • The Snipping Tool no longer shows the Copilot button, removing its quick visual search prompt from screenshots.
  • Windows chief Pavan Davuluri said in March that Microsoft would cut unnecessary Copilot entry points across the system.
  • Microsoft keeps AI capabilities in place yet presents them as optional features that users can turn off, as seen in Notepad’s settings.
  • Microsoft’s Terms of Service calls Copilot entertainment-only and warns against relying on it for important advice, underscoring a cautious legal stance.