Apparently, I’ve been dribbled Copilot. Now what?

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[WCHS]

I am Win10/Pro 22H2, patched through Feb, 2024 – patching done on March 9, 2024.

I noticed in Apps & features an app named “Microsoft Copilot” dated Feb 29, 2024. Apparently, Copilot has been dribbled to me now. If for Windows, I thought it would have the name “Windows CoPilot”. But, here is says “Microsoft Copilot.”

However,

1. 1. There is no Copilot icon is on my Taskbar nor does right-clicking on the Taskbar show any Copilot option.
   2. In the GP settings there is no “Microsoft Copilot” or “Windows Copilot” in Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components.
   3. 3) BUT, there is a “Windows Copilot” in User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components, with an option to configure the setting and turn it off.

I have some questions about all of this because it seems as if the only visible sign of Copilot at the moment is its presence in Apps & Features. It seems to be inert.

1. Does Copilot show up on the Taskbar menu (the options list that shows up when you right-click on the Taskbar) only if the Windows Copilot is turned on?
2. If so, do you have to put a check mark by it in the Taskbar menu to get it to show up on the Taskbar?
3. In the Start Menu Apps List, neither “Windows Copilot” or “Microsoft Copilot” is listed. It that because it has not been configured in the GP?

Given the state that I see it in (not configured in the GP, not present in the TaskBar menu, not in the Start Menu App list), it looks like its not going to be able to do anything – is that right? But, given the settings now, I could change them, if I decided that I wanted Copilot to be active?

On the other hand, if I decided that I wanted to get rid of it altogether

• In Apps & features there is an ‘Uninstall” button. Will this really uninstall Copilot? And then once it’s gone, it’s gone forever?
• Normally, there is another way to uninstall – Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, and from the list there, click on the app to uninstall it. But neither “Windows Copilot” or “Microsoft Copilot” is listed there. So, why isn’t Copilot app listed there? This makes me think that you can’t really uninstall it.

Could someone help me get some clarity on this new Copilot feature?

• This topic was modified 12 months ago by WCHS.
• This topic was modified 12 months ago by WCHS.
• This topic was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by Susan Bradley.

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I am Win10/Pro 22H2, patched through Feb, 2024 – patching done on March 9, 2024.

It’s interesting the patch was done on March 9th, 3 days ahead of the second Tuesday of March (3/12) as Microsoft’s standard monthly update day.

I’m running the same version of Win 10 as you are and I took the monthly March updates on 3/14.  I have no Copilot showing in “Apps & Features”.

Control Panel > Programs and Features, –  But neither “Windows Copilot” or “Microsoft Copilot” is listed there.

Suggest trying the “WuMgr” utility.  I use it regularly.  It might see your installed updates differently, but it seems unlikely.

https://github.com/DavidXanatos/wumgr/releases/tag/v1.1

Just for the heck of it, I posted this question to “Leo”, Brave browsers AI engine “Mixtral by Mistral AI”.  It’s scratching it’s head also.

Question: Microsoft copilot suddenly now appears in my Windows 10 Pro “Apps & Features” list with a date of March 9th. I did not install it. Any ideas how it got there?

Answer: It’s possible that a Windows update or a software installation in a related Microsoft product added this feature to your system. This is a common occurrence in operating systems like Windows, where updates can add or modify features. If you’re concerned, you can check your update history or contact Microsoft Support for more information.

 

Desktop Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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WCHS

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TechTango wrote:

Question: Microsoft copilot suddenly now appears in my Windows 10 Pro “Apps & Features” list with a date of March 9th. I did not install it. Any ideas how it got there?

Answer: It’s possible that a Windows update or a software installation in a related Microsoft product added this feature to your system.

Yes, it is likely Edge Beta that is responsible for this Microsoft Copilot app. Thanks to @lmacri for tracking this down (#2650316)

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On a Windows 10 where I HAVE a copilot, I’m not seeing that either.

Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription?

 

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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WCHS

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Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription?

I have a 365 subscription but do not see anything that WCSH posted about.  I’m using Win 10 Pro and have not changed or even checked my GPE re: Copilot.

Desktop Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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WCHS

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Susan Bradley wrote:

On a Windows 10 where I HAVE a copilot, I’m not seeing that either.

Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription?

What is the “that” in your reply?

I do not have a MS 365 subscription.

I have Copilot turned off in Edge.
I have a MS account for logging in on one Win10/Pro machine and a Local Account on my other Win10/Pro machine.

Observations:
It was never downloaded and installed, to my knowledge, but it appears in Apps and Features as “Microsoft Copilot” with a date of Feb 29, 2024. I have ‘Notify=2, Download/install’ set in the GP, so if it had been delivered via Windows Update, I would have seen a ‘download’ button.

Feb 29 is between my installation of the January patches on Feb 11 and the February patches on March 10. Evidently, it came to me via a CFR (Controlled Feature Rollout). However, WU > Feature Updates only lists 3 Feature Updates (21H1, 21H2, and 22H2). Nothing about a CFR is there nor is there any mention of a Copilot KB installation in Quality Updates (only Patch Tuesday patches are there) or Other updates (only MSRTs are there) nor is there any Copilot listing in Control Panel > Programs and features or in the Taskbar settings at Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

There is, however, a GP setting at Local Computer Policy > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot. There ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’ is ‘not configured’.

Windows+C gives me a sign-in for Cortana (which I never use); it does’t trigger Copilot, as it might otherwise do.

It seems as if this is the way it is supposed to work if you don’t want Copilot (in my case)– just leave everything as it is now. Or use the GP to ‘Enable’ the setting for ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’, instead of leaving the setting ‘not configured’. Either way, it amounts to the same thing — it’s present on the device but can’t be called into action.

I’ve read <here> that the ‘Uninstall’ button for Microsoft Copilot in Apps & features doesn’t work.

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WCHS wrote:

Either way, it amounts to the same thing — it’s present on the device but can’t be called into action.

Note: Either way = ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’ is either ‘not configured’ or ‘enabled’.

Here’s a new twist. I changed it to the 3rd option of ‘disabled’ and restarted. This should enable Copilot.

But,
1. the Copilot icon does not appear on the Taskbar
2. the drop-down options list when right-clicking on the Taskbar has no choice to check for Copilot
3. there is no section for Copilot at Settings > Personalization > Taskbar

So, even though Microsoft Copilot is listed in Apps & features, it is AWOL, even when it is turned on (=’Turn off Windows Copilot’ is set to ‘disabled’).

One more observation with ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’ set to ‘disabled’:
When ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’ is ‘disabled’, my ‘News and Interests’ icon disappears from the Taskbar, even though

1. the drop-down menu when right-clicking on the Taskbar says it’s supposed to ‘show the icon and text’ for News and interests
2. Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > News and interests has the switch ON for ‘show news and interests on the taskbar’.

Everything I’ve said here is true for both of my Win10/Pro 22H2 machines .. patched through February.

So, plainly, even though the Microsoft/Windows Pilot app is present in Apps and features, it’s not working, even if the GP setting is for it to work. And when the setting is for it to work, not only does it NOT work, but it also interferes with the News and interests feature!

To make it clear, I don’t want Copilot, but even if I did, it isn’t available.

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WCHS wrote:

To make it clear, I don’t want Copilot…

So why not select the Uninstall button from the app’s listing in Settings>Apps>Apps & features, as shown in the first screenshot of your original post that started this thread?? I would think that using the Uninstall option would remove its listing and it would then be removed from your computer(s) for now as well.

That would also make the presence of Copilot one less thing to worry about….for now.  😐

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WCHS

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Bob99 wrote:

So why not select the Uninstall button from the app’s listing in Settings>Apps>Apps & features, as shown in the first screenshot of your original post that started this thread?? I would think that using the Uninstall option would remove its listing and it would then be removed from your computer(s) for now as well.

Everything I’ve read indicates that it can’t be uninstalled. Rather, if you don’t want it, you turn it off via the GP Editor at Local Computer Policy > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot (setting is to ‘Enable’, which means the ‘turning off’ is enabled).

This only affects the USER KEY and not the LOCAL MACHINE KEY, though, and is only available to Win Pro systems, which have the GP Editor available.

Susan has a REG file that will block both KEYs and will work on both HOME or PRO systems, both Win 10 or Win 11 <here>.

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Bob99 wrote:

That would also make the presence of Copilot one less thing to worry about….for now. 😐

Even if I DID want it, disabling ‘Turn off Windows Copilot’ doesn’t turn it on, i.e., as it stands now for my 2 Win 10/Pro 22H2 machines, there’s no way to get the Copilot icon on the Taskbar.

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That’s not what they said.  They are saying that you can’t uninstall it from the system tray.  You don’t have that.  You have an “app” that I’m not sure what exactly it is.  On the computers where I have Windows copilot and even Microsoft 365 copilot AND the copilot pro subscriptions, I don’t have that app you show in your screen.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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WCHS

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Susan Bradley wrote:

You have an “app” that I’m not sure what exactly it is.

If you find out, let us know. To recap, it says “Microsoft Copilot”, not “Windows Copilot.” There’s a setting in the GP Editor, but it’s named “Windows Copilot” there, not “Microsoft Copilot.”

In the 2nd screen shot, it says “Not configured”. I’ve tried setting it to “Enable” and “Disable” (restarting afterwards) and the results are all the same: 1) no icon on the Taskbar; 2) no mention of Copilot in the drop-down menu after right-clicking on the Taskbar; 3) no mention of Copilot in Taskbar Settings; 4) no Copilot in Control Panel>Programs and features. It’s totally non-functional — no matter what.

Not that I want Copilot. I was just testing it to see if it would do what it’s supposed to do, if I DID want it. Something is really wacky here, especially since you say it doesn’t look like the app you have.

What does your Copilot app look like?

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So here’s my Copilot icons:

Windows 10 – it’s over on the right hand side

Windows 11 because I have my menu to the left it’s on the left

I have a Microsoft 365 copilot subscription just to kick the tires on a Windows 11 and you know it’s IN the applications because there’s a Copilot icon on the right of the menu and there’s a “wizard” that pops up and asks you if you want copilot to write your thing

None of these have inserted an app.  I’ll have to download the Edge beta to see what it does.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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WCHS

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No Copilot on my Windows 10 Pro 22H2 March updates.
I do have tens of files for windowscopilot.adml package-for-rollupfix

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TechTango

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No evidence of copilot, but I see the same “ADML” files

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WCHS

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ADML files (Group Policy Language-Specific Administrative Templates) contain the text displayed when viewing a particular Group Policy setting and there’ll be a matching ADMX file (Group Policy Administrative Templates) that contains the actual code used to apply that particular policy’s settings.

The ADMX fies are located in the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions folder and the ADML files are contained in the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\{language code} sub-folder on your Windows PC.

All those WindowsCopilot.adml files contain the text descriptions for the “Turn off Windows Copilot” GP option with a separate version of the file for each available languages Windows supports.

Note: for US users, the {language code} is en-US, for Brits it’s en-GB, for Germans, it’s de-DE, etc., etc.

BTW, my Windows 10 22H2, updated with the February patches, doesn’t have a Microsoft Copilot app listed.

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I’m asking around, hang loose.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/latest-updates-for-microsoft-copilot-a5685141-8081-458c-80d6-42493aad51ed

I have various test Copilots and haven’t seen this app.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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WCHS

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WCHS wrote:

Could someone help me get some clarity on this new Copilot feature?

I’d say the first thing for you to do is to do your own research on CoPilot and see if, given all of its features and your own preferences, you really do want it or not.

After coming to that decision you can either continue with it or uninstall it.

As seen from your screenshots, it looks like if you decide to uninstall it all you need to do is take advantage of uninstalling it from Settings>Apps>Apps & features. Your screenshot shows that it has an available Uninstall button in its listing.

If you decide to keep it, then we can help you here with the settings in GP and the registry to make sure it stays fully functional for you.

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WCHS

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Bob99 wrote:

I’d say the first thing for you to do is to do your own research on CoPilot and see if, given all of its features and your own preferences, you really do want it or not.

Now a moot point, @WCHS

WCHS wrote:

To make it clear, I don’t want Copilot,…

definitely doesn’t want CoPilot.

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WCHS

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I don’t want to evaluate it, just want it GONE, but it refuses to give up on a Win 10 Pro rig of mine (22H2, updated to current level).  Tried the Registry patch published here awhile back, then doing the Registry method again manually, confirming that the ‘Turn Off’ string with appropriate DWORD designation was in place, in both Current User & Local Machine.  Tried the Group Policy edit for ‘Turn Off CoPilot.’ The latest ShutUp10 from O & O Software supposedly had a control for doing this, but that also didn’t work.   CoPilot continues in firm dominance of the Taskbar; there is no Right Click option to turn the icon off either.  What else to try ?

Is there some dire and persuasive reason why I couldn’t / shouldn’t exterminate every last CoPilot component, to be rid of it that way ?  I think the Everything utility can find all or certainly most of the files.

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Can you do a screen shot?  As these tools should work.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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But I went through those tools as described, and they had NO effect.  I can provide a screen shot when I switch over to the other Win-10 Pro rig (this one I’m typing from at the moment “dodged the bullet” so far, perhaps because I applied that Registry patch before Copilot had a chance to come across and get onto the computer), but all that it’s going to show you is a presence of the Copilot icon in the Taskbar tray.  Or Copilot’s having taken over the Taskbar if I click there or hover the mouse there.  Copilot is not showing listed anywhere in installed Programs and Features, nor in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.  I’m doubting that Revo is going to find it either, but I’m willing to also search with the tools Imacri mentioned at the bottom of post #2650207.  And the one OldNavyGuy mentioned in post #2649888.

 

I’ve also inquired about this in /Sysadmin on Reddit, and one respondent implied that there should be no dire harm from killing off every last Copilot file — an experiment that I’m leaning towards, if all else fails.

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LostintheZone wrote:

CoPilot continues in firm dominance of the Taskbar; there is no Right Click option to turn the icon off either. What else to try ?

Hi LostintheZone:

See Susan Bradley’s 9000001 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Home sku. You might have a switch in your Win 10 settings at Settings | Personalization | Taskbar | Copilot that you can toggle OFF to remove the Copilot button from your taskbar.
————
Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v123.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.10.316-1.0.2286 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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I’d try a couple of 3rd-party tools to uninstall it…

Revo Uninstaller (free)

Geek Uninstaller (free)

There is also a Microsoft tool that I’ve used in the past that works…

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d

After downloading, right-click on the .diagcab file and select Open.

Click on the Advanced link, and uncheck “Apply repairs automatically”.

Click Next.

Click Uninstalling.

See if the app shows up in the list. If so, select it and click Next.

I would highly recommend imaging your system first.

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n0ads wrote:

BTW, my Windows 10 22H2, updated with the February patches, doesn’t have a Microsoft Copilot app listed.

My Windows 10 22H2 is also updated with the February patches.

My .admx and .adml files are named “WindowsCopilot”, dated Jan 7. I don’t have any named “MicrosoftCopilot”, either.

Is this Microsoft Copilot in Apps and features some kind of imposter??

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The interesting thing to me is the date 2/29/2024.

That coincides with two releases…

1. Windows 10 Preview Updates
2. Microsoft Copilot for Finance Public Preview (note Microsoft…not Windows)

 

 

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WCHS

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OldGuyForum wrote:

The interesting thing to me is the date 2/29/2024.

That coincides with two releases…

Windows 10 Preview Updates
Microsoft Copilot for Finance Public Preview (note Microsoft…not Windows)

Not only these two releases, but also the Microsoft Edge Beta channel Version 123.0.2420.10: February 29, 2024 release!! Thanks to @lmacri (#2650316) for finding this.

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WCHS wrote:

I’ve read <here> that the ‘Uninstall’ button for Microsoft Copilot in Apps & features doesn’t work.

Hi WCHS:

I don’t see this Microsoft Copilot v1.0.3.0 app at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features on my Win 10 Pro v22H2 machine.

Also keep in mind that Copilot comes in all sorts of “flavours”.  The Windows Copilot app described in that 15-Mar-2024 Windows Latest article  Microsoft says uninstalling Copilot in Windows 10 isn’t supported for now may come from a completely different source than your Microsoft Copilot app.

Since you don’t want this app on your computer, have you tried Bob99’s suggestion in post # 2649886 to uninstall from Settings | Apps | Apps and Features? The Uninstall button shown in your original image in post # 26491931 is not greyed out, which suggests that the app can be removed from Apps and Features. Apps integrated into your Windows OS that can’t be uninstalled from Apps and Features typically have greyed out Uninstall button (e.g., like the Uninstall button shown below for my built-in MS Edge browser).

The fact that your Microsoft Copilot v1.0.3.0 app at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features has an Advanced Options link (which shows the app itself is using 0 bytes) also suggests this is a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app located in the hidden and protected C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder *** (i.e., not an installed program located in it’s own subfolder at C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files(x86) that is listed at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features). If that is correct you might get a cleaner removal using a specialized tool like O&O AppBuster (a portable app you can run from any location, including a removable USB stick) instead of simply clicking the Uninstall button at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features.

**Note: I normally view the contents of hidden and protected folders like C:\Program Files\WindowsApps with a file management utility like TreeSize Free (run with Administrator rights).
————
Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v123.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.10.316-1.0.2286 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * O&O AppBuster v1.3.1343 * TreeSize Free Portable v4.7.2.526

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WCHS

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Microsoft Copilot and Windows Copilot are two completely different things!

Microsoft Copilot is just Bing Chat under a new name to ingrate it into Microsoft’s whole “add Copilot to everything” initiative.

Quote from the Microsoft Copilot Wikipedia

Microsoft Copilot is a chatbot developed by Microsoft and launched on February 7, 2023. Based on a large language model, it is able to cite sources, create poems, and write songs. It is Microsoft’s primary replacement for the discontinued Cortana.

The service was introduced under the name Bing Chat, as a built-in feature for Microsoft Bing and Microsoft Edge. Over the course of 2023, Microsoft began to unify the Copilot branding across its various chatbot products.

BTW @WCHS, since it’s a chat app and not Windows Copilot, the uninstall option should work.

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Thanks to @lmacri (#2650207) and @n0ads (#2650209) for straightening me out on my “Copilot confusion”. I now understand the point about ‘flavors’ and that I don’t have Windows Copilot yet. There’s a provision for it in the GP settings now via the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\WindowsCopilot.admx file and the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US\WindowsCopilot.adml file, which signals that the GP is ready for it when(ever) it comes down the pike, though.

OK, now turning to Microsoft Copilot. Thanks to @lmacri’s guidance above, I checked C:\Windows\WindowsApps with Tree Size (admin) and I find the app listed there – with the name ‘MicrosoftWindowsAICopilotProvider_1.0.3.0_…’ (same date and version that shows up in Apps & features). This time both Microsoft AND Windows are in the name!!

A. What caused this new app to be introduced to my device??

1. I don’t think Microsoft Stores delivered it. I have automatic updates turned off. And it says that Feb 17 was the last time there were any MS Stores updates that were delivered to my machine. And the list of updates that MS Stores says it delivered matches my own list. Besides that, a search on MS Stores yields no ‘Microsoft Copilot’, or anything ‘Copilot-ish’ for that matter.
2. If this new Microsoft Copilot app was launched in Feb, 2023, why is it just now reaching my device? If it’s supposed to replace Cortana, I still have the old Cortana app, so Cortana has not been replaced.
   
   And, Cortana is turned off at Startup (Settings>Apps>Startup)
   
3. I have Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 on one laptop and 2019 on the other laptop. Both are C2R (retail) editions. I have automatic updates turned off in each. The last update was Version 2401 (Build 17231.20194), released Feb 1, 2024 and according to Control Panel > Programs and features, installed on Feb 4, 2024. There is no Copilot available in those two C2R editions, at least not in the Feb 1 release.
4. I do not have Microsoft 365 license or a Copilot for Microsoft365 license or a Copilot Pro license.

B.What might bring this new app into action?

1. I don’t see this new Microsoft Copilot listed at Settings>Apps>Startup for me to turn on (or off).
2. If it’s the same as Bing Chat in Microsoft Edge, I have Copilot turned off in Edge at Settings>Sidebar>App and notification settings>App specific settings>Copilot>Show Copilot, so it doesn’t seem that it could come into action when/if I use Edge.
   
3. I don’t see in my C2R MS Word or C2R MS Excel any option to start a Copilot chat.

This app is an enigma to me. I’d like to figure out how it got on my machine and where/if it can be called into action — before I uninstall it.

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WCHS wrote:

A. What caused this new app to be introduced to my device??

Hi WCHS:

Your TreeSize Free image also shows that a MS Edge BETA v123.0.2420.41 app (rel. 15-Mar-2024) is installed on your system – see the  app highlighted in green in the image below. That BETA app isn’t in my hidden C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder so my best guess is that you’ve either deliberately or accidentally signed up to receive Insider builds of MS Edge and received a preview of a Copilot feature when MS Edge BETA v123.0.2420.10 was delivered on 29-Feb-2024. See the Release Notes for Microsoft Edge Beta Channel.

Just FYI, if I enter edge://settings/help in my MS Edge address bar it shows I’m currently on the latest MS Edge (Official Build) v122.0.2365.92 released on 14-Mar-2024. See the Release Notes for Microsoft Edge Stable Channel.

—————-
Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v123.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v122.0.2365.92 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.10.316-1.0.2286 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * O&O AppBuster v1.3.1343 * TreeSize Free Portable v4.7.2.526

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lmacri wrote:

…my best guess is that you’ve either deliberately or accidentally signed up to receive Insider builds of MS Edge and received a preview of a Copilot feature when MS Edge BETA v123.0.2420.10 was delivered on 29-Feb-2024. See the Release Notes for Microsoft Edge Beta Channel.

Hi @lmacri,
Thank you for this amazing piece of sleuthing. You are no doubt right about how I got this Microsoft Copilot app – from Edge Beta. By way of explanation, I downloaded Edge Beta way back in 2020 or so, before Chredge officially became a part of Windows 10 to replace Internet Explorer. I’m not sure about this, but I think this automatically made me an Insider. (In other words, I have never overtly done a “click on this button” to join the Edge Beta Insider Program; I just downloaded Edge Beta).

My usual browser is Firefox, but I have to resort to Edge occasionally when FF fails to ‘save to PDF’ correctly. I must have clicked on that Edge Beta app that is still on my Desktop, instead of the regular, stable Edge app. So, this likely explains where the Microsoft Copilot app came from — from a February 29 release of Edge Beta. I don’t have Edge Beta Copilot turned on, but if I did, I think that this app would come into play–I might try it to see. {Neither do I have Copilot turned on in regular Edge (same as yours – version 122.0.2365.92 )}

I guess that means that regular, stable Edge will be getting it sooner or later, too, if it adopts this Beta development. And, if that’s the case, I don’t think uninstalling now is going to make it stay away.

P.S. I ran across the specific term “Microsoft Copilot” in this piece of Edge advertising, which verifies your “best guess” (and pretty much makes it a fact, instead of a guess).

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Lars220

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Side note: in Edge stgs, I had  to toggle ‘on’ Show Copilot in order to toggle off ‘show Copilot in sidebar’, then toggle off everything there. I understand your issues are deeper than this, am following closely. Thx WCHS, hang in.

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WCHS

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Bingo.

Does not install with Edge Canary – just with Edge beta

Now to go to the Edge team and ask about this

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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n0ads wrote:

Microsoft Copilot and Windows Copilot are two completely different things! Microsoft Copilot is just Bing Chat under a new name to ingrate it into Microsoft’s whole “add Copilot to everything” initiative.

Hi WCHS:

Kudos to Susan Bradley for confirming in post # 2650482 that your MS Edge BETA v123 browser is the likely source of your new Microsoft Copilot app at Settings | Apps | Apps & Features.  Hopefully someone will be able to dig up more information about this UWP app before it is eventually pushed out to a stable release of MS Edge, assuming that is Microsoft’s plan.

Further to n0ad’s 17-Mar-2024 post # 2650209, my MS Edge settings for the sidebar chat button at Settings | Sidebar | App and Notification Settings | App Specific Settings | Copilot have changed three times in the past year or so, which only adds to the confusion. The original Bing Discovery button in the sidebar was renamed Bing Chat before it eventually became Copilot. See The Verge Nov 2023 article Microsoft Rebrands Bing Chat to Copilot, to Better Compete With ChatGPT for more information.

Here are my current settings for Copilot in my MS Edge v122 browser. I don’t know if it would actually change the way that Copilot behaves in your own MS Edge browser(s), but if you want to toggle OFF “Automatically Open Copilot in the Sidebar” (which is toggled ON in your MS Edge settings in the last image of your post # 2650282) then you’ll have to temporarily toggle ON the main Show Copilot setting first per Deo’s 17-Mar-2024 comment in post # 2650437 before you can turn that switch OFF.

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Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v123.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v122.0.2365.92 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.10.316-1.0.2286 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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lmacri wrote:

if you want to toggle OFF “Automatically Open Copilot in the Sidebar” (which is toggled ON in your MS Edge settings in the last image of your post # 2650282) then you’ll have to temporarily toggle ON the main Show Copilot setting first per Deo’s 17-Mar-2024 comment in post # 2650437 before you can turn that switch OFF.

I did read Deo’s post, but I figured that because toggling “Show Copilot” OFF greys out “Automatically open Copilot in the sidebar”, this amounts to the same thing as a) temporarily toggling “Show Copilot” ON, b) then toggling “Automatically open Copilot in the sidebar” OFF, and then going back to “Show Copilot” to toggle it OFF. In other words, no matter whether in its greyed-out state “Automatically open Copilot in the sidebar’ is ON or OFF, it seems to have no effect.

As a matter of fact, neither do I see a difference in toggling “Automatically open Copilot in the sidebar” ON or OFF, when “Show Copilot” is ON. Either ON or OFF, I have to put my cursor on the Copilot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the toolbar in order for the Copilot panel to pop up.

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Hi WCHS:

I turn OFF ““Automatically Open Copilot in the Sidebar” as an extra precaution. If you turn OFF “Show Copilot” all it does is hide the Copilot button in the sidebar, but that doesn’t mean it actually prevents Copilot from automatically loading in the background. I’ve turned off every setting I can find in my MS Edge browser that’s related to Copilot to try and minimize it’s impact.

However, I’m not the best person to ask about MS Edge settings since Firefox is my default browser. I only launch MS Edge if it needs to be patched or if I’m seeing some odd glitch in Firefox (e.g., a problem with a login or CAPTCHA challenge) that I want to test in another browser.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v123.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v122.0.2365.92 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.10.316-1.0.2286 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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lmacri wrote:

I only launch MS Edge if it needs to be patched or if I’m seeing some odd glitch in Firefox (e.g., a problem with a login or CAPTCHA challenge) that I want to test in another browser.

Same here. But, I thought I’d play around with the Sidebar and Copilot settings in my Edge Beta, just to see how they might work with Copilot and this new app. I hadn’t thought about “loading in the background”, though. Thanks for mentioning that.

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Slightly different question.

I turned off copilot in GP before anything was available. Today, I had a new folder and files inWindows/TEMP:

Folder: MUBSTemp

Files: BCILauncher.exe
BingChatInstaller.exe

It is hidden in GP (copilot) and I see nothing anywhere with the exception of a setting in Edge.

Did this run? Should I delete? Any insight?

Thanks.

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lmacri

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rebop2020 wrote:

Today, I had a new folder and files inWindows/TEMP:

Folder: MUBSTemp

Files: BCILauncher.exe
BingChatInstaller.exe

According to numerous post on the web, experts believe those are responsible for the new Bing pop-up ads in Chrome that Microsoft recently implemented.

New Bing pop-up ads in Chrome try to trick you into changing your default search

BCILauncher is what generates the pop-up ad and, if you select YES to the Ad, BingChatInstaller switches your default search engine to Bing and installs Microsoft Copilot (i.e. Bing Chat) on your PC.

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Susan Bradley wrote:

Bingo. Does not install with Edge Canary – just with Edge beta

See Martin Brinkmann’s 25-Mar-2024 ghacks.net article Microsoft Copilot App Getting Installed on Windows Devices which states in part:

“… A quick check on a test system did not reveal the app initially. It did appear, however, after Microsoft Edge was updated to the latest version on the system … Note that you may use the uninstall option to remove it again from the system. A click on “advanced options” reveals some details. The app’s version is 1.0.3.0 and the site is 0 bytes at the time. This suggests that it is a placeholder app that has no functionality of its own at the time. …”

I checked at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features and now see this Microsoft Copilot v1.0.3.0 app was installed on my system on 22-Mar-2024, which is likely the same day my MS Edge browser upgraded from Version 122.0.2365.106 to Version 123.0.2420.53 (see the stable channel release notes <here>) on my Win 10 Pro v22H2 machine.

That would also support Susan Bradley’s conclusion in post # 2650482 that you got an early preview of this Copilot app because you have a BETA edition of MS Edge installed on your computer.

Kudos to Alex5723 for posting a link to that ghacks.net article today in his topic Microsoft Copilot installed (probably with the new Edge update).
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v124.0.0 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.53 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.11.320-1.0.2302 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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I just got tagged with this Microsoft Copilot entry in Settings > Apps with the Edge update to 123.0.2420.65.  I have never had an Edge Beta.

Refer to my post at #2654454

What to do?  Anything?

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Tex265 wrote:

What to do? Anything?

I haven’t done anything. @bob99 has uninstalled it. If uninstalled, I wonder if it might come back after Edge updates.

At the moment, it appears to be a placeholder app. So, it’s not doing anything yet. Besides that, I have Copilot turned off in Edge so I don’t think I would see anything different, if it did do something.

So, those are the reasons I have left it alone=installed.

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WCHS wrote:

I have Copilot turned off in Edge

What Edge Setting(s)?   I didn’t think anything got installed with the update, but perhaps wrong?

<hr />

@WCHS

Never mind, I found your attachment example above and have done the same.  Still unsure if anything was installed as I don’t see anything different on the update.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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WCHS wrote:

At the moment, it appears to be a placeholder app. So, it’s not doing anything yet.

The 18-Mar-2024 Neowin article Microsoft Will Remove the Old PDF Viewer from Edge in Early 2025 notes that “Microsoft is now rolling out the new Adobe Acrobat PDF experience to regular Edge users“.  The Adobe Acrobat PDF engine will eventually replace the legacy PDF engine that currently powers MS Edge’s built-in PDF reader.

The 21-Mar-2024 Neowin article Microsoft Edge 124 Dev Gets Copilot Icon for the PDF Viewer and A Lot of Fixes also notes that an upcoming version of MS Edge v124 will have a Copilot button in the built-in PDF reader.

I have no idea if these two expected changes are related in any way, but perhaps the new “placeholder” Microsoft Copilot app at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features that was installed with MS Edge Version 123.0.2420.53 will eventually be used by MS Edge’s built-in PDF reader.  That’s just speculation on my part, however.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v124.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.65 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.11.320-1.0.2302 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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WCHS wrote:

If uninstalled, I wonder if it might come back after Edge updates.

Well, with MS’s award-winning LACK of clear communication, I’m going to say that Yes, there IS the distinct possibility that it will very well come back.

Because of that, I checked both my computers earlier today after updating them with the March update, and neither one had even a hint of the app having returned.

BUT, since for me the app “snuck” in with an update from Edge 122 to Edge 123, let’s see what happens next time I get an Edge update, either within version 123 or from 123 to 124!

Since at this point it appears to be an “app” instead of a normally installed program, I’m also going to be looking every time I get an update for the UWP apps from the MS Store.

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Bob99 wrote:

let’s see what happens next time I get an Edge update, either within version 123 or from 123 to 124!

I just upgraded from 123.0.2420.53 to 123.0.2420.65 and didn’t get it.

 

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WCHS

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I don’t see it on the computers at the office – the ones that have “Edge for business”.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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OK, I got it last night 🙂

Funny thing is, I only noticed from the “stuff” in temp files, then wehen I went to apps. It does not appear anywhere even with WIN+C as I dsiabled in GPEDIT long ago. BUT, I understand it cannot be uninstalled yet there is an unisnatll button plain as day I have not yet clicked.

Anyone uninstalled? Successful?

Computer has NOT been rebooted since install of CP. And there is no process running for it, but that “could” change on reboot.

What is the latest thinking here?

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rebop2020 wrote:

BUT, I understand it cannot be uninstalled yet there is an unisnatll button plain as day I have not yet clicked.

Hi @rebop2020
I don’t know if you have been following all of the posts here, but initially I thought I had Windows Copilot, So, when I mentioned early on that it cannot be uninstalled, I was referring to what I had read about Windows Copilot. But, it turned out to be Microsoft Copilot (coming from Microsoft Edge Beta), which can be uninstalled, as is evident from the ‘Uninstall’ button for Microsoft Copilot there in Apps & features. Hope this clears that up for you.

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Thanks, but no. i do not have Edge BETA. So that does not yet explain why I got and why so easy to uninstall. But no worries.

I di get about 8 pages on Copilot when I launched Edge for the first time since. Nothing there worked. I closed the pitch.

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rebop2020 wrote:

i do not have Edge BETA. So that does not yet explain why I got and why so easy to uninstall.

Hi rebop2020:

WCHS received the Microsoft Copilot app (Settings | Apps | Apps and Features) a week earlier than the rest of us because they have a BETA version of MS Edge that received MS Edge BETA v123.0.2420.41 on 15-Mar-2024.

Other users posting is this thread who use the regular “Official” (Stable Channel) edition of MS Edge received the Microsoft Copilot app when MS Edge v123.0.2420.53 was released to Stable Channel users on 22-Mar-2024. See my 25-Mar-2024 post # 2653283 in this thread.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v124.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.65 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.11.320-1.0.2302 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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Well, I pushed UNINSTALL and it appears it did. No reboot needed. But I could not see it before I uninstalled since hidden from Gp, so who knows.

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rebop2020 wrote:

What is the latest thinking here?

There’s a bit more information in the 26-Mar-2024 Neowin article Microsoft pulls Edge 123 from the Stable Channel with its ‘Microsoft Copilot’ app [Update] which states in part:

“Neowin reached out to Microsoft for comment, and the company told us that the program is intended to power the new Copilot experiences. None of those features are available in the Stable Channel, so seeing the unannounced app arrive with a stable Microsoft Edge update was quite odd …

… If you are already on Microsoft Edge 123, you can check whether your system has the mysterious Copilot app by heading to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps. Uninstalling the app does not affect the ability to use Copilot in Windows 11, but Microsoft said it should be there for Copilot’s new features.”

That article was updated on 26-Mar-2024 and goes on to say that the temporary pause of the MS Edge v123 rollout had nothing to do with the new Microsoft Copilot app.  There’s also no indication in the MS Edge Stable Channel release notes <here> that the new Microsoft Copilot app was removed from v123.0.2420.65 (rel. 27-Mar-2024) when the rollout of MS Edge v123 resumed.

The “new Copilot experiences” mentioned in that article links to the 13-Mar-2024 Neowin article Evolved Teams, and a lot more lands in Windows 11 build 26080 (KB5037133)  which describes a new runtime for Copilot in Windows that will allow Windows 11 users to “manage more settings via Copilot, including accessibility-focused settings, and use Power Automate Desktop through Copilot! improvements“.  It goes on to say that this runtime is just starting to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channel of Windows 11.

That makes me think that the Microsoft Copilot app that was pushed out with MS Edge v123.0.2420.53 on 22-Mar-2024 would only be useful (at least for now) for Window 11 Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels that have received this new Copilot for Windows runtime for testing.

Whatever is going on, the new Microsoft Copilot app at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features  appears to be a “placeholder” on my Win 10 machine that doesn’t have any current functionality so I’m just leaving it installed for now until I have more information about its purpose.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4170 * Firefox v124.0.1 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.65 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24020.7-1.1.24020.9 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.11.320-1.0.2302 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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Thanks. Whatever it was is gonenow from my computer which is Windows 10 22h2 and whatever non Beta Edge that has been pushed to me. Not Win 11, nothing Beta, etc. And there was an Advanced Settings page with a number of settings available – none of which I touched. I should have done screen shots.

The fact it was uninstallable was a surprise. But the less I have to block or hide the better.

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WCHS

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rebop2020 wrote:

The fact it was uninstallable was a surprise. But the less I have to block or hide the better.

Hi @rebop2020,
If the “it” in the quote above refers to Microsoft Copilot, it can be uninstalled. You might want to look at my post <here>.

P.S. “Uninstallable” can be read in two ways:
1) can’t be installed un + (install+able)
2) can be uninstalled ( un+install) + able I’m reading it this way.

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Edge updates might cause Microsoft Copilot app to show up in Installed apps

Status Confirmed

Affected platforms Client Versions Message ID Originating KB Resolved KB Windows 11, version 23H2 WI778874 – – Windows 11, version 22H2 WI778875 – – Windows 11, version 21H2 WI778876 – – Windows 10, version 22H2 WI778877 – –   Server Versions Message ID Originating KB Resolved KB Windows Server 2022 WI778873 – –

Updates to Edge browser version 123.0.2420.65, released on March 28, 2024 and later, might incorrectly install a new package (MSIX) called ‘Microsoft Copilot Chat Provider’ on Windows devices. Resulting from this, the Microsoft Copilot app might appear in the Installed apps in Settings menu. It is important to note that the Copilot Chat Provider does not execute any code or process, and does not acquire, analyze, or transmit device or environment data in any capacity. The Copilot Chat Provider package is intended to prepare some Windows devices for future Windows Copilot enablement and is not intended for all devices. Although the component installed as part of this issue can cause the Microsoft Copilot app to be shown as part of the Installed apps, this component does not fully install or enable Microsoft Copilot. As part of the upcoming resolution of this issue, the Copilot Chat Provider component will be removed from devices where Microsoft Copilot is not intended to be enabled or installed. This includes most Windows Server devices. Next steps: We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release of Microsoft Edge.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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lmacri

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MIGHT?  MIGHT?  How about all!!!

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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I personally haven’t seen the Copilot app installed after an Edge update…for several releases now.

 

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Hi Susan:

Thanks for the heads up. I see the Known Issues section on the Windows Release Health dashboard for my Win 10 v22H2 OS at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-22h2#known-issues now lists this bug. The details about this bug in your post # 2660605 are also available at Edge updates might cause Microsoft Copilot app to show up in Installed apps.

The Known Issues section for other affected OSs (Win 11 21H2 / 22H2 / 23H2 and Windows Server 2022) now all have that same bug documented on the Windows Release Health dashboard.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4291 * Firefox v124.0.2 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.97 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24030.9-1.1.24030.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.12.323-1.0.2309 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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lmacri wrote:

… I see the Known Issues section on the Windows Release Health dashboard for my Win 10 v22H2 OS at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-22h2#known-issues now lists this bug…

Also see the Neowin 17-Apr-2024 article Microsoft: Windows Copilot app we quietly installed is harmless and doesn’t steal your data.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4291 * Firefox v124.0.2 * Microsoft Edge v123.0.2420.97 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24030.9-1.1.24030.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.12.323-1.0.2309 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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UPDATE: The 27-Apr-2024 Neowin article Microsoft rolls back mistakenly released Copilot app on Windows Server in latest Edge update notes that the Microsoft Copilot app that was incorrectly installed by MS Edge v123.0.2420.53 (rel. 22-Mar-2024) is now being removed from Windows Server 2022 with the latest release of MS Edge version 124.0.2478.67 (rel. 26-Apr-2024). Affected Win 10 and Win 11 users will have to wait a bit longer.

The Windows Release Health dashboard issue for Win 10 v22H2 (as well as Win 11 v21H2 / v22H2 / v23H2) titled Edge updates might cause Microsoft Copilot app to show up in Installed apps has been updated and now states in part:

Resolution: This issue is now resolved with Edge browser updates released on April 26, 2024. Edge version 124.0.2478.67 removes the package ‘Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows’ from all servers affected by this issue. The ‘Microsoft Copilot’ entry will not show in the Installed apps list in the Settings menu once the Edge browser is updated. An upcoming version of Microsoft Edge is expected to remove or adjust the installation of this component on specific client devices.

Just FYI, my MS Edge browser updated to v124.0.2478.67 today and I can confirm that the Microsoft Copilot app is still listed on my Win 10 machine at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4291 * Firefox v125.0.2 * Microsoft Edge v124.0.2478.67 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24030.9-1.1.24030.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.3.110-1.0.1219 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS, satrow, Deo

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lmacri wrote:

updated to v124.0.2478.67 today and I can confirm that the Microsoft Copilot app is still listed on my Win 10 machine

I updated to the same version today, and there is no Copilot app on our systems.

We have a firewall block on the the Edge in-browser update, and manually download and install Edge for Business.

Download Edge for Business (microsoft.com)

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OldGuyForum wrote:

I updated to the same version today, and there is no Copilot app on our systems.

Hi @OldNavyGuy
From what I read in your prior posts, Microsoft Copilot never appeared in your Apps & features, even though Edge had been updating for you beyond v123.0.2420.53 (rel. 22-Mar-2024). So, you have never, ever had it, to date.

But what about those who DID get it with an Edge update v123.0.2420.53 or beyond? @lmacri says on March 25 that they got it when Edge updated to v123.0.2420.53, and it’s still there on April 27, even though their Edge is at v124.0.2478.67. So, they got it and still have/show it. — this despite the fact that Microsoft says (quoted by @lmacri in their April 27 post) that with v124.0.2478.67 it will not show in Apps & features {I think “not show” means that it is being removed?}).

As for me, since the announcement means that, once removed/not-showing-anymore, it’s not going to come right back again (at least for the time being), I decided not to wait for Edge to make it go away. I pre-emptively uninstalled this buggger on Apr 23 with O&O AppBuster.

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WCHS wrote:

… So, they got it and still have/show it. — this despite the fact that Microsoft says (quoted by @lmacri in their April 27 post) that with v124.0.2478.67 it will not show in Apps & features {I think “not show” means that it is being removed?})

Hi WCHS:

You might have misunderstood the quote from Microsoft. They are rolling out the bug fix to remove this Copilot app slowly, so for now MS Edge version 124.0.2478.67 (rel. 26-Apr-2024) will only remove this app from affected systems with a Windows Server OS. Affected users with a Win 10 or Win 11 OS will have to wait for a future release of MS Edge before the Copilot app is removed from their systems, so I was fully expecting the Copilot app to still be installed on my Win 10 machine at Settings | Programs | Programs and Features after my MS Edge browser updated to v124.0.2478.67.

I know that I don’t have to wait for Microsoft to remove this Copilot app for me and that I could simply uninstall it myself.  I chose not to uninstall it because it’s a harmless”placeholder” app that currently has no function, and I’m curious to see if Microsoft eventually removes it from my Win 10 v22H2 machine.

OldGuyForum wrote:

I updated to the same version today, and there is no Copilot app on our systems. We have a firewall block on the the Edge in-browser update, and manually download and install Edge for Business.

Hi OldNavyGuy:

Susan Bradley’s post # 2654669 states “I don’t see it on the computers at the office – the ones that have “Edge for business”.  I presume the Copilot app never appeared on your machines because MS Edge for Business v123.x was not affected by this bug.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4291 * Firefox v125.0.2 * Microsoft Edge v124.0.2478.67 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24030.9-1.1.24030.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.3.110-1.0.1219 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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lmacri wrote:

Hi WCHS:
You might have misunderstood the quote from Microsoft. They are rolling out the bug fix to remove this Copilot app slowly, so for now MS Edge version 124.0.2478.67 (rel. 26-Apr-2024) will only remove this app from affected systems with a Windows Server OS.

You’re right. I read and read the quote and finally decided that it meant that it was removed from the Edge updates that Microsoft servers were delivering (and you were reporting that if that was the case, the Edge update you got still had it, contrary to what Microsoft said it was doing).

Thanks for clearing that up.

But, I did understand that you were leaving it on your device because you want to see if/when Microsoft eventually carries through.

I just wanted it gone. (‘Buggger’ was a typo, but looking at it now, it’s appropriate … imagine that I am saying it and elongating the word to give it an “I-am-really-fed-up with Microsoft” tone.)

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lmacri wrote:

Edge version 124.0.2478.67 removes the package ‘Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows’ from all servers affected by this issue. The ‘Microsoft Copilot’ entry will not show in the Installed apps list in the Settings menu once the Edge browser is updated. An upcoming version of Microsoft Edge is expected to remove or adjust the installation of this component on specific client devices.

lmacri wrote:

Just FYI, my MS Edge browser updated to v124.0.2478.67 today and I can confirm that the Microsoft Copilot app is still listed on my Win 10 machine at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features.

Same with mine – the entry is still there at 8.00KB. Perhaps we are the “specific client devices” mentioned that will be removed or adjusted in an upcoming version.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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@Tex265 –

If you don’t want it on your system, you can simply do as Alex says below and uninstall it from its entry in the Settings>Apps list by clicking the button labeled “Uninstall” in the entry for Microsoft Copilot. The word “Uninstall” will be in black type, not greyed out type. The uninstall will take maybe 30 seconds if that long, and it’ll be done, no reboot needed.

I did that upon noticing it on my machine right after the installation of Edge 123.0.2420.53, and haven’t had it return since, even with installing the monthly Windows security updates that have been released since then.

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Tex265 wrote:

Same with mine

Just uninstall.

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lmacri wrote:

I presume the Copilot app never appeared on your machines because MS Edge for Business v123.x was not affected by this bug.

I did see it once.

IIRC, it was the first version 123 release (which MS pulled for Windows, after I manually installed it)

Nothing since.

 

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I regret the need to return to this topic / problem, but I think I’ve tried pretty much every suggestion presented in this thread, yet CoPilot stubbornly remains on this one computer.   CoPilot is looking more finally un-killable than Dracula.  (Christopher Lee kept on returning for the next sequel.)

This remains extremely annoying: just hovering the mouse over that lower left Search bar brings up all sorts of dreadful junk that I really don’t want to see !

(Despite applying that particular “fix” several times, Belarc Advisor reports that there is  NO Group Policy in effect on this system.  Don’t know how that can be . . . . )

It may be that the only thing that might work would be to roll back the system to the state of a partition boot image pre-CoPilot.  But that would toss a lot of baby with the bathwater, so I’m very reluctant to do that.  And even then, who’s to say it could not return ?  The one difference I can cite between this and two other essentially identical systems where CoPilot was averted is that I placed those blocking maneuvers (the Registry one and the Group Policy one) into place before CoPilot could climb aboard.

I even went so far as to nuke every filename reference to Copilot that I could find with the very good Everything utility, except for two locked or blocked files that seemed to be untouchable, unless booted in from outside the running OS.  I could look up which those files were, but this attempt did not work either.

Certainly, this thing must live somewhere.  If all those files are destroyed, it should have no leg to stand on — right ?

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LostintheZone wrote:

I regret the need to return to this topic / problem, but I think I’ve tried pretty much every suggestion presented in this thread, yet CoPilot stubbornly remains on this one computer….

Hi LostintheZone:

There is more than one “flavour” of Copilot.

The Microsoft Copilot app being discussed in this thread is a small 8 KB app that was incorrectly installed with MS Edge v123.0.2420.53 (rel. 22-Mar-2024) – see the 17-Apr-2024 Neowin article Microsoft: Windows Copilot app we quietly installed is harmless and doesn’t steal your data. If  you mistakenly received this small Microsoft Copilot app (see my image in post # 2653283) then you can uninstall it by searching for “copilot” at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features and clicking the Uninstall button.

You did not mention your Windows OS and whether you have a Home or Pro edition, but it sounds like you are referring to the full Copilot for Windows feature (i.e., the centralized AI assistant) described in the MS support article Welcome to Copilot in Windows that is gradually rolling out to Win 10 and Win 11 machines. You might find some helpful information in one of the following knowledge base articles written by Susan Bradley – pick the one that’s appropriate for your Home or Pro OS.

9000001 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Home sku
9000002 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Professional sku
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4412 * Firefox v126.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24040.4 -1.1.24040.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.4.112-1.0.1244 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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Bob99 wrote:

If you don’t want it on your system, you can simply do as Alex says below and uninstall it from its entry in the Settings>Apps list by clicking the button labeled “Uninstall” in the entry for Microsoft Copilot. The word “Uninstall” will be in black type, not greyed out type. The uninstall will take maybe 30 seconds if that long, and it’ll be done, no reboot needed.

It does NOT show up here as being present, under ANY setting or list, so there is no 0pportunity to uninstall it.

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I’ve unticked pretty much every Taskbar option in Settings.  Then, by unticking both “Show Search Icons” and “Show Search Highlights” I managed to dismiss the CoPilot icon from showing up inside the Search bar, as well as getting rid of the pix and newsfeed type clutter, leaving simply a large black box showing categories like ‘Email’, “Check for Updates’, ‘OneDrive’, and ‘Trending Searches.’  Maybe that’s as good as it’s gonna get ?  Much less cluttered and horrendous than that awful Windows 8 style tiling, as well.  And it’s not showing up with the mouse hover-over anymore either.   An improvement, at least.

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lmacri wrote:

You did not mention your Windows OS and whether you have a Home or Pro edition, but it sounds like you are referring to the full Copilot for Windows feature (i.e., the centralized AI assistant) described in the MS support article Welcome to Copilot in Windows that is gradually rolling out to Win 10 and Win 11 machines.

Thought this was mentioned earlier, but it’s Win 10 Pro 22H2 at current level.  And Yes, the full CoPilot implementation.   I believe I’ve managed to mitigate the most obnoxious (visible) aspects of its intrusion.  However, I reiterate that everything that exists in an OS must depend upon certain files which exist somewhere, that if said files could be eliminated that function should be nullified — whether MS says it can be removed or not.  The only question then would be whether doing that kills such a fundamental, interwoven piece that it would break the OS.  In a lot (maybe most ?) cases, the answer to that would be No.

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lmacri wrote:

The Microsoft Copilot app being discussed in this thread is a small 8 KB app that was incorrectly installed with MS Edge v123.0.2420.53 (rel. 22-Mar-2024) …

Hi WCHS:

This unwanted Copilot app will be automatically removed from Settings | Apps | Apps and Features after MS Edge is updated to v126.0.2592.56 (rel. 13-Jun-2024). See the 14-Jun-2024 Neowin article Microsoft removes ‘harmless’ Copilot app that was quietly installed on your Windows PCs for further details.

Kudos to Alex5723 for posting about this bug fix today in post # 2680534 of Susan Bradley’s Microsoft is not fixing its mess.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4529 * Firefox v127.0.0 * Microsoft Edge v126.0.2592.56 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24050.7-1.1.24050.5 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.5.116-1.0.1252 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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WCHS

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Not sure if this is relative or not.

My last update in June updated Edge, and when I opened my computer Copilot was active.

Not happy about that.

There is a program called Edge Remove, is that something reliable?  Anyone tried it?

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