It looks like Microsoft is turning a new leaf with AI in Windows 11, after turning another page last week with a broad promise to fix the desktop operating system.
Complaints about Windows Central that Microsoft is taking action following strong opposition to AI, as the company has redoubled its efforts to improve these features (particularly with AI agents in Windows 11).
We’re told that, according to sources at our sister site, Microsoft is “reevaluating its AI strategy in Windows 11” and plans to limit some AI features where they don’t make sense.
This includes reducing the number of Copilot buttons in the Windows 11 interface or its default apps, as they have been liberally distributed in a not-so-subtle attempt to promote the AI assistant. We were specifically told that Copilot’s integration into the Notepad and Paint apps is currently being reviewed to speed things up.
Additionally, adding additional Copilot buttons or features to other Windows 11 apps is frozen by default, although this is likely just a temporary measure.
The message is pretty clear, though, and for now, Microsoft is holding back on its desire to bring more AI and deeper Copilot integration into Windows 11 and its core app library.
Another source of information is Windows Central’s claim that Microsoft is also examining the feasibility of the Reminders feature, the in-depth study of Windows 11 that uses screenshots taken periodically. Apparently even Microsoft believes Recall has “failed” in its current form, although the software giant is looking for ways to develop the concept further rather than abandon it entirely.
This suggests that going completely without is still a possibility, but is obviously not a preferred option. It seems very possible that you could at least change the name and turn the function into something else.
Analysis: We are on the right path, but we need actions, not words (or rumors)
Of course, we should view all of this with a degree of caution, as with anything that is ultimately a rumor, although it is probably well-informed and entirely logical speculation.
As I mentioned at the beginning, Microsoft promised last week to fix bugs and performance issues with Windows 11, and that has something to do with AI. Because the bad feeling about AI being such a high priority for Microsoft as it integrates 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. While hate towards AI increased late last year, Microsoft needs to improve the fundamentals of Windows 11 and abandon its obsession with developing as many AI-related features as possible.
And that’s exactly what Microsoft seems to be doing: improving the fundamentals already mentioned (of which we’ve already seen evidence) and moderating the excessive AI push.
Bottom line: It looks like Microsoft is finally listening to users and taking action. Or more accurately, I should say planning It remains to be seen whether we will take action and whether we will actually implement them all.
I’m still concerned that Microsoft has gone into defensive PR mode, so to speak, and is making the noise it needs to fix Windows 11, and at least temporarily relenting on AI Player, but that it’s not turning out the way it’s supposed to. I’m not alone in this either, with many Windows 11 users expressing feelings of skepticism in the usual online forums.
Including Reddit threadThe most upvoted comment that resonates with my thoughts is a simple statement: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Time will tell how this plays out, but what speaks positively 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’m not going to go down the same path I’ve been down in recent months regarding the reputation of the operating system, and how can autonomous AI agents actually work on Windows 11 if it continues to fail and trust in Microsoft is declining? They won’t because people don’t trust them, just like they don’t trust Recall.
Speaking of AI agents, I don’t think Microsoft is backing down on these entities. The general vision of the “agent platform” for Windows 11 is still considered the future, as is AI-powered semantic (natural language) search (the latter is, after all, one of the strengths of AI).
However, at least Microsoft seems to be more cautious now and has made some pretty clear promises about fixing Windows 11. Hopefully, we’ll see the results, and the company will take its foot off the gas when it comes to pushing AI everywhere in Windows 11, if this new rumor is true, and soon enough.
