Microsoft has acknowledged that its latest Windows update has unintentionally uninstalled the Copilot app from some Windows 11 devices. The issue, which arose after the March 11 Patch Tuesday update, resulted in the AI-powered assistant being removed and unpinned from the taskbar.
“We’re aware of an issue with the Microsoft Copilot app affecting some devices. The app is unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar,” Microsoft stated in a support document. Redmond assured users that it is working on a fix, advising those affected to reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store and manually re-pin it to the taskbar as a temporary solution.
The issue is linked to the KB5053598 (Windows 24H2) and KB5053606 (Windows 10 22H2) cumulative updates, which were included in this month’s security patches. Microsoft has yet to explain why the bug is occurring or add it to its Windows release health dashboard, where it typically provides updates on known issues.
The incident follows a similar occurrence in June 2024 when a Microsoft Edge update mistakenly installed the Copilot app on some Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. At the time, Microsoft clarified that the unintended installation was meant to prepare certain devices for future Copilot integration and did not transmit any user data.
Microsoft has been rolling out an upgraded, native version of Copilot for Windows, introducing a redesigned user interface and a press-to-talk feature that enables voice interaction by holding the Alt + Spacebar keys. Redmond is expected to announce additional enhancements to Copilot during a special event on 4 April marking its 50th anniversary.
Microsoft developing AI models to compete with OpenAI
The unintended removal of Copilot is one of several recent issues affecting Microsoft services. The company also confirmed a separate problem related to Citrix components preventing some devices from completing the January 2025 Windows security update. Additionally, some users on ARM devices have previously reported being unable to download and play Roblox from the Microsoft Store, with a resolution still pending. While Microsoft has yet to provide a timeline for an official fix, affected users can manually restore Copilot until an update addressing the issue is released.
Recently, reports emerged that Microsoft is working on its own AI reasoning models as part of efforts to reduce reliance on OpenAI. According to The Information, the company has been evaluating models from xAI, Meta, and DeepSeek for potential integration into Copilot. Microsoft’s AI division under the leadership of British entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman is developing a set of models known as MAI, which reportedly match the performance of leading AI systems. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify AI capabilities and lower operational costs.
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