Remember the “Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows” that was accidentally added to all editions of Windows by Microsoft Edge 123? Microsoft has finally addressed the issue. After installing Microsoft Edge 123.0.2420.65, released on March 28, 2024, users noticed a suspicious 8KB Copilot entry under installed apps.
After Windows Latest reported the problem, Microsoft acknowledged the mistake and confirmed that the entry was harmless. The company promptly removed Copilot from Windows Server via an Edge update in May.
Update Removes Copilot Entry from Windows
In a new update to its support document first spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft has confirmed that Edge 126.0.2592.56, released on June 13, removes the ‘Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows’ from all versions and editions of Windows. This includes Windows 11, Windows 10, and other editions of the OS.
“The ‘Microsoft Copilot’ entry will not show in the Installed apps list in the Settings menu once the Edge browser is updated,” Microsoft noted. “This issue is now resolved with Edge browser updates released on April 26, 2024, and June 13, 2024.”
Incident Breakdown
- On March 28, Edge 123.0.2420.65 was released and it created an 8KB entry for Copilot in all versions and editions of Windows, including enterprise and servers.
- Microsoft removed the Copilot app from Windows Server with Edge 124.0.2478.67, which was released on April 26.
- On June 13, Edge 126.0.2592.56 removed the Copilot entry from Windows 11 and 10 consumer editions (either the PC you use at home or even office).
When asked, Microsoft again confirmed that the Copilot entry added to Windows without permission was completely harmless and did not extract data from users' PCs.
Additionally, the company stated that the Copilot web app did not run any code in the background. The entry appeared in Installed apps because Microsoft Edge “incorrectly” installed a (MSIX) package called ‘Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows’ on Windows PCs.
“It is important to note that the Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows does not execute any code or process, and does not acquire, analyze, or transmit device or environment data in any capacity,” the company added.
This package is designed for European users to prepare their devices for the Windows Copilot experience. However, the package was not supposed to create an 8KB entry for Copilot, which is why the company has pulled the update.
It’s interesting how Microsoft Edge can silently add Copilot and other packages to Windows regardless of your default browser.
