Microsoft stops aggressive AI push on Windows 11 – Copilot scaled back, Recall under review

• Microsoft is reportedly scaling back Copilot’s integration across Windows 11 apps following strong user backlash.
• Also, Windows Recall is being reworked after the company admitted it’s not resonating with users.
• The company leadership is shifting its focus toward reliability, usability, and trust rather than promoting AI aggressively.

Microsoft is reportedly scaling back its aggressive presence of Copilot across Windows 11’s built-in apps following user backlash over intrusive or unnecessary AI integrations. Sources indicate (via Windows Central) that the company has paused work on adding new Copilot buttons and is reviewing existing integrations in apps like Notepad and Paint, with some potentially being removed or rebranded to feel less “forced” in the interface.

This reflects a more deliberate strategy for where Copilot should appear in the operating system.

This shift is part of a broader internal effort to restore user trust in Windows 11, which has faced criticism not only for its AI strategy but also for reliability and design issues. Microsoft leadership has emphasized addressing core usability concerns rather than pushing features that don’t resonate with users.

What stands out in the reaction is that this is not blind resistance to AI, but fatigue with misplaced priorities. A lot of long-time users say Copilot became frustrating not because it existed, but because it felt intrusive and inconsistent, and was introduced while long-standing usability and stability problems remained unresolved.

Since there are viable alternatives such as Linux, SteamOS, and cloud-first workflows reducing Windows lock-in, Microsoft no longer has the luxury of forcing ideas onto the platform and refining them later. For many, this rethink is a welcome first step, but not yet proof that the company has truly realigned its focus.

Recall under review, evolution rather than cancellation

Windows Recall, Microsoft’s AI-powered “photographic memory” feature that periodically captures snapshots of screen activity to make items searchable, is also being reevaluated internally. Sources say the company believes the current implementation hasn’t landed as intended and is exploring how to reshape the concept (possibly with a different name or form) rather than abandoning it outright.

Recall has been controversial since its introduction. Security and privacy experts previously warned that the feature could create vulnerabilities if not properly secured, prompting Microsoft to switch it to an opt-in model with encryption and other safeguards.

Other AI efforts continue

Despite scaling back visible Copilot elements and Recall’s rework, Microsoft is not abandoning AI across Windows 11 entirely. Foundational AI technologies, such as Semantic Search, Agentic Workspace, Windows ML, and Windows AI APIs, are continuing development as planned because they underpin broader AI capabilities for developers and apps on the platform.

Enterprise pushback is also influencing decisions

Separately, enterprise users have pushed back against Copilot in managed environments, prompting the software giant to test options that would allow IT admins to uninstall Copilot more easily on business devices. This indicates that the rethink isn’t just about consumer sentiment but also addresses corporate deployment challenges.