Windows 11 Update: Copilot Removed from Notepad but Replaced by "Writing Tools."
Recently, Microsoft made some big promises to make Windows 11 better. According to their latest blog post, the company is focusing on "Windows Quality" and listening to user feedback. One of the most interesting parts of this commitment is their plan to reduce "unnecessary Copilot entry points" in apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad.
However, looking at the latest preview builds, there is a big difference between "removing" AI and what Microsoft is actually doing. Let's dive into what's changing.
The Notepad Experiment: Goodbye Copilot, Hello "Writing Tools"?
If you are using the latest Windows Insider build (version 11.2512.28.0), you might notice that the familiar Copilot logo has vanished from the Notepad app. At first glance, it looks like Microsoft kept their promise.
But if you look closer, the feature isn't gone—it just has a new look.
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New Icon: The Copilot logo has been replaced by a pencil icon with sparkles.
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New Name: It is now called "Writing Tools."
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Same Logic: When you click it, you get the exact same options as before: rewrite, adjust tone, or summarize.
Even though the "Copilot" branding is gone, the requirements haven't changed. To use these Writing Tools, you still need an active subscription and AI credits. In short: the AI is still there; it’s just wearing a disguise.
Why the Rebrand?
Microsoft’s official stance is that they want to reduce "clutter" and make the OS feel more integrated. By renaming Copilot to "Writing Tools," they make the feature sound like a native part of the app rather than an external AI bot.
However, many users feel disappointed. The frustration isn't necessarily about having AI—it's about the lack of transparency. If you tell users you are reducing the AI footprint, but simply rename the buttons, it feels more like a marketing trick than a quality improvement.
The Quality Gap
There is another reason why users are reacting poorly to "Copilot" being everywhere: Competition.
Right now, many people feel that Microsoft Copilot has fallen behind other tools like Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT. When an AI tool isn't the best in its class, users tend to see it as "bloatware" rather than a helpful assistant. By forcing these entry points into simple apps like Notepad, Microsoft risks making their most stable apps feel heavy and cluttered.
A Better Way Forward?
Instead of sneaky rebranding, there are better ways to handle AI in Windows. Here are a few suggestions for Microsoft:
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A Standalone AI Manager: Instead of putting a toggle in every single app's settings, why not have one central location in Windows Settings? A "Master Switch" where users can choose to enable or disable AI features across the entire system.
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Opt-In, Not Opt-Out: Let users choose to download AI modules if they want them, rather than forcing them into the base installation of simple apps.
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Focus on Offline Value: If "Writing Tools" worked offline without a subscription, they would be a massive hit. As long as they require a cloud connection and a monthly fee, they will always feel like an "extra" that doesn't belong in a text editor.
Final Thoughts
This version of Notepad is currently in the Windows Insider preview, which means Microsoft is still testing the waters. They are watching how users react before shipping this to everyone.
I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.
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