The latest Insider build of Windows 11, version 11.2512.28.0, has seen significant changes regarding the Copilot AI tool. Notably, the Copilot branding has been removed from key applications, including the Notepad app, where it previously provided generative writing assistance.
In this update, Notepad has been rebranded to feature "Writing tools," which retains the same functionalities as Copilot but without the associated name. The AI features have now been relocated to the Advanced Features section in Notepad settings. This shift follows previous reports indicating Microsoft's intent to reduce the prominence of Copilot across Windows 11, as user feedback has been largely negative.
Currently, these alterations are only available in the Insider version of Windows 11; users of the standard version will not see these updates until later. Additionally, there are indications that AI functions may have been removed entirely from the Windows 11 Snipping Tool. Microsoft has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these modifications.