April 18, 2024 at 08:13AM
Microsoft revealed that the Copilot app, added to Windows installs by recent Edge updates, doesn’t collect or relay data, but was mistakenly included. Though tested in Windows Server 2025, it faced backlash and was removed. However, it unexpectedly appeared in Windows Server 2022 and impacted Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft is working on a resolution.
From the meeting notes, it is clear that there has been an issue with the Microsoft Copilot app being mistakenly added to the list of installed Windows apps by recent Edge updates. However, Microsoft has clarified that this app does not collect or relay data to its servers.
The company began testing Microsoft Copilot in Windows Server 2025 preview builds earlier this year but faced backlash from Windows admins, leading to its removal from those builds. Despite this, a new 8KB Microsoft Copilot app appeared in the list of installed programs on live production builds of Windows Server 2022.
Microsoft has confirmed that the Copilot app added by recent Edge updates does not execute any code or process and does not collect any user or system data. It is intended solely to prepare some Windows devices for future Windows Copilot enablement and will not be visible on all Windows devices. Microsoft is working on a resolution to remove the component from devices where Microsoft Copilot is not intended to be enabled or installed.
Additionally, Microsoft is testing ads in the Windows 11 Start menu as part of a new experiment to help users discover apps from the Microsoft Store. This trial is rolling out in the Beta Channel to a small set of Insiders who have installed Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3495.
It is evident from the meeting notes that Microsoft is actively working to address the issues related to the Copilot app and is also exploring new features such as ads in the Windows 11 Start menu.