Microsoft trims Copilot branding

Microsoft has begun stripping the Copilot label from some Windows 11 apps, even as the underlying artificial intelligence features stay in place. (blogs.windows.com) In a Windows Insider preview, Notepad version 11.2512.28.0 replaces the Copilot menu with a pen icon labeled “Writing tools,” while keeping Write, Rewrite, and Summarize available. (technobezz.com) (support.microsoft.com) Microsoft said on March 20, 2026 that it would cut “unnecessary Copilot entry points” in apps including Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad as part of a broader Windows quality push. (blogs.windows.com) The change does not mean Microsoft is backing away from Copilot at work. In Microsoft 365, the company is expanding Copilot as a hub for “agents,” which are task-specific assistants that can search, reason, and take actions across workplace apps. (microsoft.com) (learn.microsoft.com) Microsoft’s recent product language draws that line more clearly: Windows apps are losing some consumer-facing Copilot buttons, while Microsoft 365 is gaining agent stores, deployment controls, and admin settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) (learn.microsoft.com) In Power Apps, those agents are designed to do multi-step work rather than just answer prompts. Microsoft’s documentation says they can use Microsoft 365 data, follow Dataverse roles and permissions, and return reports for administrators. (hubsite365.com) (learn.microsoft.com) Microsoft is also building central controls around those workplace agents. Administrators can enable, disable, assign, block, or remove agents, and Microsoft has published new guidance on permissions, deployment, and governance. (learn.microsoft.com 1) (learn.microsoft.com 2) (learn.microsoft.com 3) That leaves Microsoft with two different Copilot stories in April 2026: less branding in everyday Windows utilities, and more infrastructure around Copilot inside paid Microsoft 365 work software. (blogs.windows.com) (microsoft.com)