Microsoft’s newest update mistakenly disables the Copilot software from Windows 11 devices.

Microsoft has acknowledged that its most recent Windows update accidentally disabled the Copilot program from some Windows 11 devices. The incident, which happened after the March 11 Patch Tuesday update, caused the AI-powered assistant to be removed 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 said in a support post. The business told customers that it is working on a solution, and suggested that those impacted reinstall the software from the Microsoft Store and manually re-pin it to the taskbar as a temporary remedy.

This issue is related to the cumulative updates KB5053598 (Windows 24H2) and KB5053606 (Windows 10 22H2) contained in this month’s security fixes. Microsoft has yet to explain the origin of the defect or offer an update on its status on the Windows release health dashboard, which generally tracks known bugs.

This event follows a similar occurrence in June 2024, when a Microsoft Edge update incorrectly installed the Copilot software on certain Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. At the time, Microsoft explained that the unintended installation was part of the preparations for future Copilot integration and did not include the transmission of user data.

Microsoft has begun releasing an updated, native version of Copilot for Windows, which includes a revamped UI and a press-to-talk functionality that allows users to engage with the assistant by holding down the Alt + Spacebar buttons. The business is anticipated to reveal more Copilot advancements at a special event on April 4 to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Along with these advancements, Microsoft has faced additional recent problems. The business acknowledged a second issue with Citrix components that prevents some devices from installing the January 2025 Windows security update. Furthermore, certain ARM device users have experienced problems downloading and playing Roblox from the Microsoft Store, with a remedy currently forthcoming.While Microsoft has not specified a schedule for a permanent remedy, impacted customers can manually reinstall Copilot until an update is available.
In related news, Microsoft is apparently working on its own AI models to lessen its dependency on OpenAI. According to The Information, the corporation is looking into models from xAI, Meta, and DeepSeek for possible inclusion into Copilot. Microsoft’s AI team, directed by British entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman, is developing a set of models known as MAI, which are supposed to equal the performance of leading AI systems. This endeavor is part of a larger goal to broaden its AI capabilities and lower operational expenses.