Microsoft Begins Removing Copilot Buttons from Windows 11 Apps — Notepad Gets 'Writing Tools' Rebrand

The Verge·medium signal

Microsoft is removing Copilot branding from Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets in Windows 11, replacing the Copilot logo with a subtle pen icon labeled 'Writing Tools.' The AI functionality remains identical — it's purely a rebrand. This follows a March 20 blog post from Microsoft's President of Windows and Devices admitting they 'went too far with the AI push.' The shift signals a broader industry move from AI-branded buttons to embedded, invisible AI utilities.