Microsoft removes eight Copilot features from Windows 11 File Explorer

Microsoft is adjusting its Windows 11 artificial intelligence strategy by removing eight Copilot functions from the File Explorer context menu. The removal, which is expected to begin in mid-November and conclude by December 2026, aims to simplify the user interface and reduce the visibility of AI tools following user criticism regarding interface clutter.

The affected features were specifically linked to files stored in OneDrive. These shortcuts allowed users to perform tasks such as summarizing documents, comparing files, extracting text, and explaining images via a right-click action. While these specific context menu buttons are being removed to prevent what some users have termed 'AI slop' or interface fatigue, the underlying capabilities remain accessible through the Copilot assistant itself.

In addition to the File Explorer changes, Microsoft is testing other Windows 11 updates to streamline the user experience, including improvements to the authentication process. The proposed login changes aim to allow multiple authentication methods, such as PIN and Windows Hello facial recognition, to function simultaneously without requiring manual selection of a specific method.