- Microsoft is rumored to be cutting back on artificial intelligence in Windows 11
- It includes reducing Copilot integration in the interface and core apps
- Revocation could also be in line for some big changes and could be renamed, with some heavy hints that Microsoft isn’t happy about it at all
Microsoft is apparently turning over another new leaf with AI in Windows 11, after another page turned last week with a broad promise to fix the desktop operating system.
Windows Central claims that Microsoft is taking action after the strong backlash against AI since the company doubled down on driving these features forward (especially with AI agents in Windows 11).
We’re told that, according to sources our sister site spoke to, Microsoft is “reevaluating its AI strategy on Windows 11” and plans to cut some AI features where they don’t make sense.
That includes reducing the number of Copilot buttons in the Windows 11 interface or its default apps, as these have been widely spread around in a not-so-subtle effort to promote the AI assistant. Specifically, we’re told that the Copilot integration found in the Notepad and Paint apps is currently under review for some streamlining work.
There’s also a freeze on adding more Copilot buttons or functionality to other standard Windows 11 apps, though that’s likely only a temporary measure.
The message is clear enough, though, and for now Microsoft is reining in its desire to jam more AI and more Copilot integration into Windows 11 and its library of core apps.
Another nugget of info here is Windows Central’s claim that Microsoft is also reviewing the viability of the Recall feature – the deep Windows 11 search that leverages regularly taken screenshots. Apparently even Microsoft feels that Recall has ‘failed’ in its current form, although the software giant is looking at ways to develop the concept rather than scrap it altogether.
This suggests that dropping it entirely is still an option, but obviously not a preferred option. It seems distinctly possible that at least the name could be changed and the function could be morphed into something else.
Analysis: on the right track – but we need actions, not words (or rumours)
Of course, we have to take all of this with a grain of salt, as with anything that is ultimately a rumor – albeit probably a well-informed one, and speculation that makes sense.
As I mentioned at the beginning, last week Microsoft promised to fix the bugs and performance bugs with Windows 11 and it is kind of tied to AI. Because much of the bad feeling about AI being such a focus for Microsoft as it puts an increasing number of these features into Windows 11 is that the company is doing this at the expense of the overall quality of the operating system. As the gathering around a lot of the AI hate went late last year, Microsoft needs to fix the basics in Windows 11 and let go of the obsession with developing as much AI-related functionality as possible.
And that’s exactly what Microsoft appears to be doing: fixing those fundamentals, as previously stated – something we’ve actually already seen evidence of – and easing the overzealous AI push.
It looks like Microsoft is finally listening to users, in short, and taking action. Or more correctly, I should say planning taking action – and actually going through with making good on all of this is another thing to watch.
I’m still concerned that Microsoft has gone into defensive PR mode, so to speak, and is making all the right noises about fixing Windows 11 – and giving in on the AI drive, at least temporarily – but that this won’t be anywhere near what it should. I’m not alone either, as there are quite a few Windows 11 users expressing feelings along skeptical lines in the usual online forums.
In this Reddit thread, the most upbeat comment that aligns with my thoughts is a simple statement: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Time will tell how this plays out, but what goes in favor of something positive happening is Microsoft and Windows 11’s undeniable flaws in the public perception of the operating system. It’s clear enough that something needs to be done, and I’m not going to rehash the same argument I’ve made over the past few months regarding the operating system’s reputation – and how can autonomous AI agents really work in Windows 11 if it bombs further and trust in Microsoft is eroded? They won’t because people won’t trust them, just like they don’t trust Recall.
Speaking of AI agents, don’t think Microsoft is going back on these devices. The whole ‘agentic platform’ vision of Windows 11 is still seen as the future, and so is semantic (natural language) AI-powered search (the latter is one of the strengths of AI, after all).
But at least Microsoft now seems to be treading more carefully, and has made some clear enough promises to fix Windows 11. Hopefully, we’ll see the results of that — and the company takes its foot off the accelerator in terms of pushing AI everywhere in Windows 11, if this new rumor is true — soon enough.
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