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Copilot app

Microsoft resumes forced Copilot app installation on some Windows PCs
Winsage
June 5, 2026

Microsoft resumes forced Copilot app installation on some Windows PCs

Microsoft has resumed the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on select Windows PCs that already have Microsoft 365 applications installed. This rollout, which had been paused in March 2026 due to technical issues, is now moving forward, with users expected to see the Copilot app in their Installed Apps section if they have an active Microsoft 365 license. IT administrators can manage this rollout and opt out if desired. The phased rollout began on June 4 and is projected to conclude by the end of June, with specific timelines for various feature flags. Users who already have the Copilot app or are located in the European Economic Area will not be affected by this initiative.
Microsoft will let you uninstall Copilot app as Windows 11 clean-up moves ahead
Winsage
May 28, 2026

Microsoft will let you uninstall Copilot app as Windows 11 clean-up moves ahead

Microsoft has introduced a new Group Policy option in the Windows 11 April 2026 Update that allows administrators to remove the Microsoft Copilot app across all devices within an organization. This change responds to user feedback about the app's deep integration into the operating system. Previously, users could uninstall Copilot, but it often reappeared after system updates or reinstalls. The new policy enables businesses and IT administrators to block or remove Copilot automatically, eliminating the need for manual uninstalls. Additionally, Microsoft is extending this policy to Microsoft 365 Copilot integrations. While the policy is not available for Windows Home users, similar results can be achieved through the Registry Editor or PowerShell commands.
Microsoft Adds Docking Option to Windows 11 Copilot That Resizes the Desktop to Make Room
Winsage
May 28, 2026

Microsoft Adds Docking Option to Windows 11 Copilot That Resizes the Desktop to Make Room

Microsoft is introducing a docking feature for the Windows 11 Copilot app, allowing it to be pinned to the left or right edge of the screen. This feature automatically resizes other open applications to create additional workspace and is being rolled out progressively. The update includes layout options for Copilot, such as functioning as a standalone app, picture-in-picture mode, and the new docking options. When docked, the interface adjusts to accommodate the Copilot panel, even resizing full-screen applications like File Explorer. The latest update reintroduces a layout similar to the original sidebar design from 2024, integrating Copilot alongside other applications. The current version of Copilot operates as an Edge-based wrapper, and users can choose to use it as a standalone application if preferred. The docking layout allows for easier access to features like Copilot Vision, but Microsoft has not confirmed automatic docking for certain features. The rollout is gradual, and not all users will have immediate access to the new options.
Microsoft Copilot Returns as a Sidebar in Windows 11
Winsage
May 25, 2026

Microsoft Copilot Returns as a Sidebar in Windows 11

Microsoft is updating the Copilot AI integration within Windows 11, reintroducing it as a sidebar application similar to its original design from 2024. Users can dock Copilot on either side of the screen, which adjusts the user interface to accommodate it. The redesigned Copilot integrates more seamlessly with desktop elements. Microsoft has provided two methods for users to remove the Copilot application: one involves editing the Windows Registry to create a key that instructs Windows to remove Copilot, while the other uses a group policy setting applicable only if Copilot was not user-installed.
Microsoft's new Copilot turns into a Windows 11 sidebar that pushes your apps aside to make room
Winsage
May 24, 2026

Microsoft’s new Copilot turns into a Windows 11 sidebar that pushes your apps aside to make room

Microsoft is integrating its AI assistant, Copilot, into Windows 11 with a new docking feature that allows it to coexist with other applications. Users can access a drop-down menu in the title bar for "snapping" options, enabling Copilot to dock on the left or right side of the screen. The interface adjusts automatically to accommodate the docked Copilot, which can occupy space alongside other applications. Copilot has undergone several redesigns and is now packaged as an Edge-based wrapper, although the reasons for this bundling are unclear.
Windows 11 now lets you remove Microsoft Copilot app with Group Policy or Registry, as it tries to win back users
Winsage
May 23, 2026

Windows 11 now lets you remove Microsoft Copilot app with Group Policy or Registry, as it tries to win back users

Recent feedback from Windows 11 users has led Microsoft to simplify the process of uninstalling Copilot due to dissatisfaction with its integration. A Group Policy option titled “Remove Microsoft Copilot app” has been introduced in the April 2026 Update, allowing users to remove Copilot via User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI. Users can also uninstall Copilot directly from the installed apps list or by right-clicking the icon, although it may reappear after a fresh installation due to certain updates. To uninstall Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot using Group Policy, the following conditions must be met: both apps must be installed, the user did not install them independently, and the Copilot app has not been used for over 28 days. This policy is supported on Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise or LTSC versions of Windows 11. Windows 11 Home users can manually remove Copilot by creating a registry key at HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsAI and setting a DWORD value named RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp to 1. Alternatively, users can execute a PowerShell script to remove Copilot. Microsoft has not provided an uninstall option for Copilot in the Start menu.
Windows 11 adds policy to remove Copilot app
Winsage
May 23, 2026

Windows 11 adds policy to remove Copilot app

A new preview build of Windows 11 introduces a Group Policy option titled Remove Microsoft Copilot app, located in User Configuration settings under Administrative Templates and Windows Components. This policy is conditional, applying only when both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are present, the Copilot app has not been user-installed, and it has not been launched in the last 28 days. Alternative methods to control the Copilot app include the Intune Settings Catalog entry to turn off Copilot, a registry DWORD at HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsCopilot, and AppLocker packaged-app rules. Community discussions indicate that PowerShell uninstall methods are temporary solutions due to potential reinstallation by subsequent updates.
Why Your Windows 11 PC Doesn't Get AI Features
Winsage
May 18, 2026

Why Your Windows 11 PC Doesn’t Get AI Features

Several hundred million Windows 11 users are experiencing frustrations due to the absence of Microsoft features like Recall and Cocreator, which are only available on Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft has divided Windows 11 into two tiers, with the latest AI functionalities requiring specific hardware known as Copilot+ PC. To qualify, a device must have: - An NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS - A minimum of 16 GB of RAM (DDR5 or LPDDR5) - At least 256 GB of SSD storage - Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer - A processor from specific families: Qualcomm Snapdragon X series, Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake), or AMD Ryzen AI 300 series Many PCs lack these features due to missing NPUs, insufficient TOPS ratings, unsupported processor generations, outdated Windows versions, rollout delays, or regional limits. Features locked behind Copilot+ include Recall, Click to Do, Cocreator in Paint, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions with Translation, Improved Windows Search, and Auto Super Resolution. To check for Copilot+ compatibility, users can verify the presence of an NPU in Task Manager, ensure they have Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and confirm their processor against the approved list. While some workarounds exist to enable features on unsupported PCs, they are often unstable and not recommended for primary use. Most users may not need to upgrade their laptops unless they require on-device AI features or their current device is significantly outdated. The AI feature gap is not currently critical for most users, as many features are optional or not essential.
“Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me
Winsage
May 2, 2026

“Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me

Microsoft will begin rolling out the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 on May 12, 2026. Key features of this update include: 1. Xbox Mode: Transforms PCs into a console-like experience, prioritizing system resources for gaming and freeing up to 2GB of memory. 2. Voice Typing Improvements: Redesign of Voice Typing elements on the touch keyboard. 3. New Arabic 101 Legacy Keyboard Layout: Available for addition from the Region page in Settings. 4. Drop Tray Changes: Renamed from Drag Tray and can be disabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. 5. Taskbar AI Agents Support: Allows monitoring of AI agents directly from the Taskbar, starting with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. 6. Debloat Policy with Dynamic List Support: Enables administrators to specify additional apps for removal beyond the default list. 7. Windows Driver Policy Update: Changes how the kernel manages trust for third-party drivers, eliminating default trust for cross-signed drivers. 8. Batch File Security Changes: Enhances security for batch files and Command Prompt scripts, with an option for a hardened processing mode. 9. Format FAT32 up to 2TB: The format command-line tool now supports formatting volumes up to 2TB using FAT32.
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