June 14, 2024 at 11:58AM
Microsoft mistakenly added the Copilot app to Windows 10 and 11 due to Edge updates. Despite backlash, the app was added to Windows Server 2025 preview builds, later removed. Edge update on April 18 stopped further installations. The app didn’t collect user data and was meant for future Cobilot enablement. It was removed from devices.
From the meeting notes, it is clear that Microsoft encountered an issue with the unintentional installation of the AI-powered Copilot digital assistant on Windows systems due to buggy Microsoft Edge updates. The Copilot app was mistakenly added to Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2025 preview builds, leading to backlash from Windows admins.
In response to this issue, Microsoft released Edge updates to prevent the app from installing on more Windows systems and removed the app from all impacted servers and home devices. The company assured that the installed component did not collect or relay any data to their servers and was only intended to prepare some devices for the future enablement of Windows Copilot.
Microsoft clarified that the chat provider for Copilot in Windows does not execute any code or process, nor does it acquire, analyze, or transmit device or environment data. It emphasized that the installed component did not fully install or enable Copilot. Additionally, the company noted that the Edge browser update would remove the Copilot entry from the Installed apps list in the Settings menu once installed.
Overall, the company took steps to address the issue and maintain transparency about the unintentional installation of the Copilot app.