Microsoft has stopped automatically installing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows PCs with M365 apps, after originally planning to make it available to users by default.
The app was intended to act as a central hub for Copilot, consolidating AI capabilities from tools like Word, Excel and PowerPoint into a single location.
However, instead of giving users a choice, Microsoft had planned to push it directly to devices, something many users had rejected in the past.
What has changed with the introduction of Microsoft’s Copilot
Microsoft has now temporarily disabled automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible devices. This update was confirmed via the company’s Microsoft 365 message center, but no clear reason was given for the sudden pause.
The rollout had previously begun in December and was expected to be expanded to other users outside the European Economic Area. Even then, IT administrators had the option to opt out, while users in the EEA were excluded by default.
If the rollout continues in the future, the app will appear in your Start menu and be activated automatically. This plan is on hold for the time being.
What if the app is already on your PC?
If you already have the Microsoft 365 Copilot app installed, nothing changes. Microsoft will not remove it from your system, but you can uninstall it yourself if necessary.
Administrators can continue to deploy the app manually using other methods, and Microsoft is expected to provide additional updates before restarting the rollout.
Microsoft hasn’t explained why it paused the rollout, but the move comes as the company faces growing pressure to be more cautious about introducing AI features into Windows.
This break also comes after some awkward copilot moments for Microsoft. In one case, a bug in Windows 11 caused the app to uninstall itself, which some users actually welcomed.
In another case, Copilot even appeared on LG TVs with no clear way to remove it, illustrating how aggressively Microsoft has pushed the feature.
This is a rare step backwards for now, as Microsoft gives you more control over whether Copilot stays on your PC or not.
