Well, it finally happened! Microsoft did something right, even if it was by accident. The latest March 2025 Windows updates are mysteriously removing Copilot from Windows systems everywhere, and honestly? I’m not complaining!
As a developer who values clean, efficient systems, I’ve always been skeptical of Microsoft’s strategy to force Copilot onto every Windows device. Nobody asked for it, yet there it was, taking up resources and screen space whether we wanted it or not.
Believe it or not, one of the reasons I am not using a windows machine is casued by their strategies to force people to download their app.
What’s Actually Happening
The “issue” (or blessing in disguise?) affects multiple Windows versions through these update packages:
- Windows 11 24H2 (KB5053598)
- Windows 11 23H2 & 22H2 (KB5053602)
- Windows 10 22H2/21H2 (KB5053606)
Install these updates, and poof! Copilot gets uninstalled and unpinned from your taskbar. No warnings, no user intervention needed. Pure magic!
Microsoft’s Panic Response
Of course, Microsoft is calling this a “bug” and “working on a resolution” – because heaven forbid we get to decide what software runs on our own computers! They’ve published a support document explaining how users can reinstall Copilot from the Microsoft Store and pin it back to the taskbar.
But the real question is: how many people will actually miss it?
The Sweet Irony
The irony is just too perfect. Microsoft spent months forcing Copilot onto our systems without asking, and now an update is removing it without asking. It’s like poetry!
This reminds me of so many cases where big tech companies decide what’s “best” for users without actually listening to what we want. As developers, we know that good software should solve real problems, not create new ones or consume resources unnecessarily.
Should You “Fix” It?
If you’re one of the few people who actually use Copilot regularly, you can get it back from the Microsoft Store. For everyone else – enjoy the extra breathing room on your taskbar and the slightly cleaner system!
The March updates do include important security fixes, so I’d still recommend installing them. Consider the Copilot removal a bonus feature rather than a bug.
What do you think? Are you rushing to reinstall Copilot, or celebrating its unexpected departure? Let me know in the comments!
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