Microsoft is removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps including Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets

Microsoft is removing the Copilot button from multiple Windows 11 apps. The change affects built-in apps such as Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets. This change comes as the company adjusts how it integrates its artificial intelligence (AI) features into the Windows operating system.The update follows a recent blog post by Windows and Devices President Pavan Davuluri, titled “Our commitment to Windows quality,” where Microsoft said it plans to reduce “unnecessary Copilot entry points, starting with apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad.” The changes are now rolling out gradually and may soon appear for all users.In the latest Notepad version (v11.2512.28.0), Microsoft has removed Copilot branding from features such as Write, Rewrite and Summarise. The earlier Copilot icon in the toolbar has been replaced with a neutral pen icon labelled “Writing tools,” with no direct reference to AI.While the branding has been removed, the underlying functionality remains unchanged. These writing tools are still powered by AI, but are now presented as part of the app’s standard feature set. The option to disable them has also been moved under “Advanced Features,” not “AI Features.”To compare, the Snipping Tool has seen a more direct change. The Copilot button, which previously appeared after selecting an area using Quick markup, has been removed entirely. Unlike Notepad, where AI features remain in the background, there is currently no visible AI integration in the Snipping Tool.The update signals a shift in how Microsoft presents AI within Windows rather than a rollback of the technology itself. The company appears to be reducing visible branding while continuing to integrate AI features into its apps.Microsoft had previously expanded Copilot across Windows 11, placing the assistant in multiple apps and interfaces. However, the new changes suggest a shift toward a less prominent, more functional integration.The update signals a shift in how Microsoft presents AI within Windows rather than a rollback of the technology itself. The company appears to be reducing visible branding while continuing to integrate AI features into its apps.Microsoft had previously expanded Copilot across Windows 11, placing the assistant in multiple apps and interfaces. However, the new changes suggest a shift toward a less prominent, more functional integration.The adjustments also reflect user feedback around interface clutter and the visibility of AI tools. For example, the earlier Copilot logo in Notepad prominently appeared in the top-right corner, but users had the option to disable it.The Snipping Tool update is notable because it removes the feature without offering a toggle, indicating a more direct rollback in that specific app.Microsoft has not indicated that it plans to remove AI features entirely. Instead, the focus appears to be on refining how these tools are introduced and used within Windows 11.