Between October 2025 and March 2026, many Microsoft 365 users discovered that the Copilot AI app was automatically installed on their computers. After heavy vocal backlash and several crucial bugs, like the one that allowed Copilot to read confidential emails, the forced installation of Microsoft 365 Copilot was suspended.
However, Microsoft has now decided to reinstate the app’s forced installation. According to Neowin, the company plans to complete the forced rollout to all Microsoft 365 users by July 1st. However, IT admins have some control over the rollout—if they choose to opt out, devices in their tenant won’t automatically have Copilot installed.
Microsoft previously said it would review the use of AI in Windows 11 and scale back on Copilot being shoved everywhere. However, Microsoft 365 Copilot appears to be here to stay.
AI or not AI, that’s the question
Microsoft seems to be taking a two-pronged approach regarding its AI promises in Windows 11. Out of one end comes promises to reduce AI while out of the other end comes a doubling-down on its agenda to make Windows an AI-driven operating system.
For example, recent reports show that Microsoft is quietly testing an “uninstall AI bloat” button in Windows Insider builds. Still, the current roadmap suggests that Microsoft doesn’t intend to abandon AI.
Meanwhile, Windows 11’s market share continues to stagnate and even fall in the US. This is likely due to mounting user frustrations with the operating system, not just with AI but various other annoyances, including ads everywhere and data privacy collection. We’ll have to see how things shake up by October, when Windows 10 stops receiving Extended Security Updates (ESU).
