April 19, 2026, 6:18 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Microsoft is significantly changing its approach to artificial intelligence in Windows 11. After a phase where the U.S. company increasingly added AI features, it is now taking a noticeable step back. The company is gradually removing Copilot from various applications. The apparent goal is to reduce the presence of AI in the system. Initial changes are already visible in several programs, where corresponding icons are disappearing or functions are being adjusted.
Notepad Gets New Look Without Copilot Logo
According to the online magazine “WindowsLatest,” the changes affect the text editor Notepad, among others. In version 11.2512.28.0, the familiar Copilot icon has been removed. Instead, a simple pencil icon now appears. However, the functions remain intact. Users can still write, rephrase, or summarize texts. Technically, there is no change; only the appearance has been adjusted. A factor may be that the AI functions in Notepad can be disabled anyway.
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Finally! Copilot Can Be Removed from Windows 11 and Microsoft 365
Snipping Tool Loses AI Function Completely
The change is much more pronounced in the Snipping Tool. Here, Microsoft is completely removing the Copilot integration. Previously, after selecting an image area, there was a button for AI. This allowed visual searches similar to Google Lens. This option is no longer available. There are also no longer any references to AI functions in the tool. Thus, artificial intelligence disappears from this application entirely.
The adjustments are not surprising. Microsoft had already announced plans to reduce the number of Copilot access points. In a blog post for Windows Insiders, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri explained in March 2026 that unnecessary entry points would be removed. Several applications were mentioned, such as Notepad, Photos, Widgets, and the Snipping Tool. The current changes show that this strategy is now being implemented.
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AI Remains Part of Windows 11
A complete farewell to AI is not planned, however. Instead, Microsoft wants to integrate Copilot less conspicuously into the system in the future. The functions will remain, but will be more in the background. At the same time, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will make further improvements to the operating system itself alongside this adjustment.