The new Windows 11 March 2025 update has introduced an unexpected bug that automatically uninstalls the Copilot AI assistant, affecting various Windows versions, including Windows 11 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2, as well as Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2.
Windows 11 update deletes its own AI tool
This issue is linked to the Windows 11 update KB5053598 and the security update KB5053602 for Windows 11 and KB5053606 for Windows 10. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem in a support document, stating, “We’re aware of an issue with the Microsoft Copilot app affecting some devices. The app is unintentionally uninstalled and unpinned from the taskbar.”
Users experiencing this issue will find Copilot removed from their installations and unpinned from their taskbars. Despite the uninstallation, users can reinstall the Copilot app from the Microsoft Store and pin it manually. However, this manual process deviates from the previous automatic installation that many users did not request.
Microsoft has clarified that this bug does not impact the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and is currently working on a resolution. While the Copilot uninstall issue is notable, it is not the only problem with the March 2025 update; users have reported other significant issues, including security patch failures, Blue Screen of Death errors, and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection bugs.
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Reports suggest that the recent problems with RDP began when Microsoft released Windows 11 version 24H2 in October and have worsened with subsequent updates, including the March 2025 version. Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged these serious issues on its Windows issues dashboard, focusing instead on the Copilot bug.
The patch notes for the March 2025 update confirm the Copilot issue, highlighting that it “applies to all users” and provides a workaround for affected users to manually reinstall the application. This situation allows users to opt in to using Copilot instead of having it pre-installed, which has led some to view this bug as a rare instance of user consideration from Microsoft.
Microsoft’s emphasis on integrating Copilot across its services is part of a broader strategy to enhance user engagement with its products. The rebranding of Microsoft 365 to “Microsoft 365 Copilot” reflects this strategy, where Copilot is envisioned as integral to assisting users with their tasks and queries.
As Microsoft’s goal includes monetizing the Copilot experience through advertisements, it remains to be seen how quickly the company will address the bug affecting the installation of this AI assistant.
Featured image credit: Microsoft
