Microsoft is dialling back its Copilot assistant across Windows.
For those who don't know, Copilot is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant powered by the same smarts as ChatGPT, which is designed to act as a “copilot” for your work — hence the name — by leveraging AI smarts to draft documents, analyse your spreadsheet data, summarise video calls, generate images, and automate routine tasks.
It's a little like the Clippy assistant that used to pop up in older versions of Microsoft Office, but with the power of modern LLMs. For example, in Microsoft Word, Copilot can draft content, restructure documents, and adjust tone. Excel users can get help with formulas, data analysis, and creating charts. PowerPoint gets assistance with building presentations and updating slides. Each of these features should cut down the time spent on work.
Microsoft has been really keen to promote its Copilot features across its software and operating system, launching an entirely new category of devices called Copilot+ PCs with unique Windows 11 tricks, requiring all laptop manufacturers to add a new Copilot key to the keyboard – the first shake-up to the standard Windows keyboard layout since the Start key was introduced way back in 1994, and adding shortcuts to Copilot throughout its biggest apps.
However, while Microsoft is supercharging Copilot across its Office apps, it’s taking a very different approach with Windows 11’s built-in tools like NotePad and Snipping Tool. This follows a promise Microsoft made earlier this year, when the company said it would reduce “unnecessary Copilot entry points” across Windows 11— the latest operating system for your device.
Microsoft explains in a statement: "You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows, focusing on experiences that are genuinely useful and well-crafted."
You can still generate text, rewrite content, change tone, and switch between casual and formal styles on Notepad, a pre-installed text editor
|For instance, Notepad — a preinstalled text editor — has quietly lost all its Copilot branding. Microsoft has simply renamed them "Writing Tools."
But its current AI features haven't actually gone anywhere. You can still generate text, rewrite content, change tone, and switch between casual and formal styles. The company now describes these as "Smarter writing tools" rather than anything AI-related.
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When you install a fresh copy of Notepad, Microsoft explains: "Select text to refine clarity, tone, or structure with Rewrite. Summarise condenses longer sections into key highlights."
The feature remains optional and can be switched on/off in Settings under Advanced Features.
Follow these steps to turn the feature on:
- Open Notepad after installing a fresh copy.
- Type or paste the text you want to edit.
- Highlight the portion of text you’d like to improve.
- Choose Rewrite to refine clarity, tone, or structure.
- Alternatively, select Summarise to condense longer text into key points.
- Review and apply the suggested changes.
To turn the feature off:
- Go to Settings within Notepad.
- Navigate to Advanced Features.
- Toggle the AI features (Rewrite/Summarise) off.
Microsoft also still mentions that Writing Tools uses AI when you actually open the feature and start typing prompts.
Snipping Tool lets you capture, edit, and share screenshots or screen recordings
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On the other hand, Snipping Tool's AI features are going in a different direction. This tool lets you capture, edit, and share screenshots or screen recordings. But now Microsoft has completely removed AI from this built-in feature.
The Copilot button has been removed from the production version of the app. This means if you have the most up-to-date Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store, you won't find any AI features at all.
So while Notepad has undergone a rebrand, Snipping Tool has received a complete AI removal.
Microsoft is pressing ahead with plans to add AI agents to the Windows taskbar as an optional feature, which is still being tested
|Despite these changes, Microsoft is pressing ahead with plans to add AI agents to the Windows taskbar as an optional feature. Instead of opening apps manually, your computer has AI-powered assistants (“agents”) sitting right on the taskbar, ready to:
- answer questions
- automate tasks
- interact with your files and apps
- act on your behalf
It could be a great addition if you want to minimise how many windows you have open at once, keeping your desktop more organised.
This feature is still being tested before it rolls out to everyone.