Microsoft will no longer auto-install M365 Copilot app on Windows PCs

Microsoft has stopped automatically installing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows PCs with M365 apps, after initially planning to roll it out to users by default.

The app was supposed to act as a central hub for Copilot, consolidating AI features across tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into a single location.

However, instead of letting users choose, Microsoft had planned to push it directly onto devices, something many users have opposed in the past.

What changed with Microsoft’s Copilot rollout

Microsoft has now temporarily disabled the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible devices. This update was confirmed through the company’s Microsoft 365 message center, though no clear reason was shared for the sudden pause.

Earlier, the rollout had already started in December and was expected to expand to more users outside the European Economic Area. Even then, IT admins had the option to opt out, while users in the EEA were excluded by default.

If the rollout resumes in the future, the app will show up in your Start Menu and be enabled automatically. For now, that plan is on hold.

What if the app is already on your PC

If you already have the Microsoft 365 Copilot app installed, nothing changes. Microsoft is not removing it from your system, but you can uninstall it yourself if you want.

Admins can still deploy the app manually using other methods, and Microsoft is expected to share more updates before restarting the rollout.

Microsoft has not explained why it paused the rollout, but the move comes as the company faces growing pressure to be more careful about how it introduces AI features into Windows.

This pause also comes after a few awkward Copilot moments for Microsoft. In one instance, a Windows 11 bug ended up uninstalling the app on its own, which some users actually welcomed.

In another case, Copilot even showed up on LG TVs with no clear way to remove it, highlighting how aggressively Microsoft has pushed the feature.

For now, this is a rare step back because Microsoft is giving you more control over whether Copilot stays on your PC or not.