It’s fair to say that Windows 11’s recent endeavour into AI hasn’t gone down well with its most passionate users. It started in 2024 with the unveiling of Windows Recall, which was met with such backlash that Microsoft was forced to postpone it by an entire year while it addressed major security and privacy flaws.
It seems like things have been downhill since. In the last year, Microsoft has taken every opportunity to enshittify Windows 11 by placing Copilot buttons wherever it can across in-box apps like File Explorer and Notepad, even if the implementation is poor or unnecessary.
I’m also told that Microsoft has paused work on any additional Copilot buttons for in-box apps, at least for now. While I don’t expect this pause to be permanent, it does sound like Microsoft plans to be more tactful and deliberate in where these Copilot buttons and integrations will appear going forward.
Windows Recall is another AI experience that I’m told is under review. Sources tell me that Microsoft believes that Recall, in its current implementation, has failed, though I understand the company is exploring ways to evolve the concept rather than scrap it entirely, possibly dropping the Recall name in the process, though this is unconfirmed.
Other AI initiatives, such as Semantic Search, Agentic Workspace, Windows ML, and Windows AI APIs, are continuing ahead as planned. Microsoft believes that these under-the-hood AI efforts are still important for app developers and users, positioning Windows as a viable contender amongst other OS’s that are also building AI frameworks into their platforms.
The company is shifting away from ‘AI everywhere’ and toward features that actually make sense for Windows users.
The good news is that it’s clear Microsoft has heard the feedback around its heavy-handedness when it comes to Copilot buttons in Windows apps. The company is stepping back to readjust how best to implement these AI integrations across the OS, hopefully resulting in a more meaningful and useful AI experience on the platform, rather than haphazardly adding the Copilot icon to every UI surface it can.
This effort is likely part of Microsoft’s overall effort to “fix” Windows 11 this year. I understand that the company is moving quickly to begin shipping meaningful changes that are designed to signal to customers that it is listening to feedback, and streamlining where Copilot shows up across in-box apps would be a strong place to start.
Microsoft pulling back its Windows 11 AI push is a big shift — fewer forced Copilot moments, a reworked Recall, and a more realistic approach overall.
How does that land with you? Is this the right move, or should Microsoft double down instead? Share your take below and let’s see where the community stands.
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