Microsoft has been keen to evangelize its AI technology and is keen to have the Copilot AI Companion installed on every PC. However, the latest Windows update is working against this goal thanks to a bug.

Despite consumer pushback on the subject of AI, Microsoft is determined to march forward with its plans for the Copliot AI Companion. The stated aim is for every Windows PC to have Copilot installed. Now these goals are being sabotaged by a Windows Update.

Windows 11 KB5053598 update contains a bug that uninstalls Copilot and removes it from the taskbar. A similar glitch has affected users of Windows 11 23H2 is they installed the March 2025 Security Update KB5053602. Even Windows 10 users have been affected, as have those who installed update KB5053606 are likewise reporting the bug.

Microsoft is aware of the bug

Windows Latest spotted a support document that contained a statement by Microsoft on the issue: “We're aware of an issue with the Microsoft Copilot app affecting some devices. The app is unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar.”

A lot of users may be perfectly fine with this bug, as they never asked for Copilot to be installed in the first place. Consumer response to AI features in general has been lukewarm at best. Recently Microsoft unveiled a ‘gaming coach' powered by Copilot, and was met with fierce backlash, the politest of which was a firm “No Thanks.”

This is not the only difficulty with the latest Windows update, however. Some Windows 11 24H2 users have reported the security update failing to install or even causing a Blue Screen crash. Issues with Remote Desktop connections following the update have also been reported. The removal of Copilot might be a minor and even fairly amusing glitch, but it only hides a deeper problem with this update.

User reaction shows that people aren’t too bothered

Unless you’re an AI developer or actively use Copilot, many people aren’t too fussed about the temporary loss of Copilot. As we can see in The Verge’s report, you can easily install the Copilot App if you so wish. Digging into user reaction to the news, one person says that this update is a “Feature, not a bug,” alluding to their lack of interest in Copilot – “Best update they’ve released in years!”

Further comments read “Leave Copilot uninstalled and “nothing of value was lost”. It’s clear that many people aren’t fans of AI, though it certainly has its uses if you have no quarrels with it. To cover the other side of the argument, one user points out that they find Copilot useful as a spell checker or “rephraser” to help with writing.

About the Author

Rebecca Hills-Duty

Writing and journalism experience at VRFocus, UploadVR, The Escapist, HTC, PC Gamer, Tech Radar+ and Dexerto. Can sometimes be found playing with retro tech.