- Microsoft rumored to be cutting AI in Windows 11
- That includes reducing Copilot’s integration into the core interface and apps.
- The recall may also be in line with some big changes, and the name could be changed, with some big hints that Microsoft isn’t happy with it at all.
Microsoft is apparently turning another page with AI in Windows 11, following another page turned last week with a broad promise to fix the desktop operating system.
Windows Central claims that Microsoft is taking action following strong pushback against AI since the company redoubled its efforts to push these features (most notably with AI agents in Windows 11).
We’re told that, according to sources our sister site spoke to, Microsoft is “reevaluating its AI strategy in Windows 11” and plans to cut some AI features that don’t make sense.
That includes reducing the number of Copilot buttons in the Windows 11 interface or its default apps, as they have been spread out liberally in a not-so-subtle effort to promote the AI assistant. We’re specifically told that the Copilot integration found in the Notepad and Paint apps is currently under review for some optimization work.
Adding more Copilot buttons or features to other default Windows 11 apps is also on ice, although this is likely only a temporary measure.
The message is pretty clear, though, and for now, Microsoft is holding back on its desire to include more AI and more Copilot integration in Windows 11 and its core app library.
Another piece of information here is Windows Central’s claim that Microsoft is also reviewing the feasibility of Windows 11’s Recover: Deep Search feature that takes advantage of regularly taken screenshots. Apparently even Microsoft feels that Recall has “failed” in its current form, although the software giant is looking for ways to evolve the concept rather than scrap it entirely.
However, that suggests that getting rid of it completely is still a possibility, but obviously not the most favored one. It seems clearly possible that at least the name could be changed and the feature transformed into something else.
Analysis: We are on the right track, but we need actions, not words (or rumors)
Obviously we should take all of this with some caution, as with anything that is ultimately a rumor, although it is probably well-informed and speculation that makes a lot of sense.
As I mentioned at the beginning, last week Microsoft promised to fix bugs and performance glitches with Windows 11, and that, in a way, is related to AI. Because a big part of the bad feeling about AI being a focus for Microsoft as it incorporates an increasing number of these features into Windows 11, is that the company is doing so at the expense of the overall quality of the operating system. As the call out around much of the AI hate came late last year, Microsoft needs to fix the fundamentals of Windows 11 and abandon the obsession with developing as many AI-related features as possible.
And that’s exactly what Microsoft appears to be doing: fixing those fundamentals, as noted above (something we’ve actually already seen evidence of) and reducing the excessive AI push.
It seems like Microsoft is finally listening to users, in short, and taking action. Or, more correctly, I should say planning taking action and actually moving forward and making this all happen is something different that remains to be seen.
I’m still worried that Microsoft has gone into defensive PR mode, so to speak, and is doing everything it can to fix Windows 11 (and give in on the AI push, at least temporarily), but that this won’t amount to what it should. I’m not alone in this either, as there are a large number of Windows 11 users expressing skeptical sentiments in the usual online forums.
In this Reddit thread, the most voted comment, which agrees with my thoughts, is a simple statement: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Time will tell how this will turn out, but what makes something positive happen are the undeniable flaws of Microsoft and Windows 11 in terms of public perception of the operating system. It’s pretty clear that something needs to be done, and I won’t be retreading the same ground I’ve covered over the past few months regarding the reputation of the operating system, and if it continues to fail and trust in Microsoft erodes, how can autonomous AI agents actually work on Windows 11? They won’t, because people won’t trust them, just like they don’t trust Recall.
Speaking of AI agents, I don’t think Microsoft is backing down on those entities. The whole ‘agent platform’ vision for Windows 11 is still considered the future, and AI-powered semantic (natural language) search is too (the latter is one of the strengths of AI, after all).
At the very least, though, Microsoft now seems to be acting more carefully and has made some pretty clear promises regarding fixing Windows 11. Hopefully, we’ll see the results of that, and the company will take its foot off the gas in terms of pushing AI everywhere in Windows 11, if this new rumor is correct, soon enough.
The best laptops for all budgets
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and tiktok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
