Microsoft has acknowledged that its latest Windows update has inadvertently removed the Copilot app from some Windows 11 devices. The issue, which occurred after the March 11 Patch Tuesday update, led to the AI-powered assistant being uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar.
“We’re aware of an issue affecting some devices with the Microsoft Copilot app, causing it to be unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar,” Microsoft stated in a support document. The company assured users it’s working on a fix, suggesting that those affected reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store and manually re-pin it to the taskbar as a temporary workaround.
This problem is tied to the KB5053598 (Windows 24H2) and KB5053606 (Windows 10 22H2) cumulative updates included in this month’s security patches. Microsoft has not yet explained the cause of the bug or provided an update on its status in the Windows release health dashboard, where it typically tracks known issues.
This incident follows a similar situation 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 unintentional installation was part of preparations for future Copilot integration and did not involve transmitting any user data.
Microsoft has been rolling out an upgraded, native version of Copilot for Windows, featuring a redesigned interface and a press-to-talk feature that allows users to interact with the assistant by holding the Alt + Spacebar keys. The company is expected to announce more enhancements for Copilot during a special event on April 4, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Alongside these developments, Microsoft has faced other recent challenges. The company confirmed a separate issue with Citrix components that’s preventing some devices from completing the January 2025 Windows security update. Additionally, some ARM device users have reported difficulties downloading and playing Roblox from the Microsoft Store, with a resolution still pending. While Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a permanent fix, affected users can manually restore Copilot until an update is released.
In related news, Microsoft is reportedly developing its own AI models to reduce its reliance on OpenAI. According to The Information, the company is evaluating models from xAI, Meta, and DeepSeek for potential integration into Copilot. Led by British entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s AI division is working on a set of models called MAI, which are said to match the performance of top AI systems. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify its AI capabilities and reduce operational costs.