Microsoft's Copilot Push

Microsoft is facing a three-front Copilot problem: a public complaint from Mozilla, a broken Windows update, and a new push toward more autonomous agents. (blog.mozilla.org) Mozilla said on April 9 that the Microsoft 365 Copilot app had been auto-installed on Windows devices running Microsoft 365 desktop apps, “with no prompt and no consent.” Mozilla Vice President Linda Griffin said Microsoft was using installs, default settings, and hardware shortcuts to steer people into Copilot and Edge. (blog.mozilla.org) (theregister.com) Mozilla tied the Copilot complaint to older fights over browser choice in Windows. It said Windows Search still routes web links through Microsoft Edge and that switching the default browser still takes multiple steps in Windows settings. (blog.mozilla.org) At the same time, Microsoft is testing a more aggressive version of Copilot for work. TechCrunch and The Information reported on April 13 and April 14 that Microsoft is developing OpenClaw-like features for Microsoft 365 Copilot so the software can keep working in the background and complete multi-step tasks over longer periods. (techcrunch.com) (theinformation.com) OpenClaw is an open-source agent system that can keep acting after the first prompt instead of waiting for each next command. Microsoft told reporters it is exploring similar technology for enterprise use with tighter controls, including role-specific agents for jobs such as sales, marketing, and accounting and versions that may run locally on company hardware. (techcrunch.com) (theinformation.com) (theverge.com) That push is landing while Microsoft is still cleaning up a Windows 11 update problem. Microsoft’s March 10, 2026 cumulative update KB5079473 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 was later listed as a known issue because some users could not sign in to Microsoft accounts inside apps after installing it. (support.microsoft.com) (bleepingcomputer.com) Microsoft said affected apps could show an internet-connection error even when the device was online. Reports citing Microsoft’s release-health notice said the failures hit apps including Teams Free, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Word, Excel, and Copilot. (support.microsoft.com) (notebookcheck.net) (neowin.net) Microsoft has not publicly matched Mozilla’s language about “without user consent,” but recent coverage says the company has started rolling back some of its more aggressive Copilot placements after user backlash. Mozilla said those changes came only after months of pressure. (msn.com) (blog.mozilla.org) The result is a messy moment for Microsoft’s artificial intelligence strategy: the company is trying to make Copilot more embedded in Windows and more autonomous in Microsoft 365 while critics and customers are still arguing over consent, defaults, and reliability. (blog.mozilla.org) (techcrunch.com) (support.microsoft.com)