Microsoft: March Windows 11 Updates Unintentionally Remove Copilot from Some Devices

Microsoft has revealed that its March 2025 cumulative Windows updates have inadvertently uninstalled the AI-powered Copilot digital assistant from certain Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

This issue came to light after the company updated its support documents following the release of its latest Patch Tuesday security updates earlier this month.

According to Microsoft, the problem specifically impacts users who install cumulative updates KB5053598 (Windows 24H2) and KB5053606 (Windows 10 22H2), both of which were released on March 11, 2025.

Unexpected Removal of Copilot

“We are aware of an issue affecting the Microsoft Copilot app on some devices,” Microsoft stated in a support document. “The app is unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar.” The company clarified that this issue does not impact the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which remains unaffected.

At this time, Microsoft has not provided a detailed explanation for why Copilot is being automatically removed. Additionally, this known issue has not yet been added to the Windows Release Health Dashboard—a platform typically used to inform customers about current problems affecting supported Windows versions.

Temporary Workaround for Affected Users

While Microsoft works on a fix for the bug, the company advises impacted customers to reinstall the Copilot app from the Microsoft Store. Users can also manually re-pin the app to the taskbar as a temporary solution. However, it’s worth noting that not all users may be eager to restore the app, as the Copilot feature has received mixed reviews from Microsoft customers.

“In the meantime, affected users can reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store and manually pin it to the taskbar,” the company said.

Recurring Copilot Issues

This is not the first time Microsoft has faced complications with its Copilot app. In June 2024, the company had to remove the Copilot app from Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices after it was mistakenly added via buggy Microsoft Edge updates in April 2024. At the time, Microsoft assured users that the app did not collect or transmit any data to its servers, as it was solely intended to prepare certain devices for the future rollout of Copilot features.

Earlier still, the company included Microsoft Copilot in some Windows Server 2025 preview builds. However, widespread criticism from Windows administrators led Microsoft to remove the feature shortly after its introduction.

Looking Ahead: New Copilot Features for Windows Insiders

Despite these setbacks, Microsoft continues to push forward with the development of Copilot. Recently, the company announced the rollout of a new native Copilot app for Windows Insiders. The updated app, available through the Microsoft Store, includes a press-to-talk feature, enabling users to interact with Copilot via voice by holding the Alt + Spacebar for two seconds.

While the current issue with the unintentional removal of Copilot is being addressed, Microsoft’s ongoing updates and new features signal the company’s commitment to refining its AI-powered assistant for future releases.