Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is working on a solution.

Has your Copilot also suddenly disappeared from your computer? Then you're either lucky or unlucky — it just depends on your perspective. A Windows security update from last week caused Copilot to be automatically trashed for some users. It concerns updates KB5053598 for Windows 11 (24H2) and KB5053606 for Windows 10 (22H2).

Incidentally, this isn’t the first time Windows has wiped Copilot off the map. A year ago, Microsoft had to withdraw the app after it unintentionally appeared in the list of applications. Also, in earlier Windows Server 2025 previews, the app suddenly showed up, only to be quickly removed again after administrators complained.

What is the problem?

Microsoft has now not only confirmed that the bug deletes the Copilot app, but also that it disappears from the taskbar. However, this latter issue only occurs with the version of Copilot that is integrated into Windows 10 and 11. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app does not appear to be affected.

Microsoft has not yet provided an explanation for the cause of the bug. Moreover, the issue has not yet been added to the Windows Release Health Dashboard, where such problems are usually communicated.

Temporary solution

Microsoft is working on a fix, but in the meantime, affected users can reinstall the Copilot app and manually pin it back to the taskbar. This should resolve the problem, although it's debatable whether this is the best solution for everyone — especially since not every Windows user is enthusiastic about the Copilot app.

Still, it remains striking how often Microsoft seems to stumble over its own feet. Previously, Microsoft's Recall app came under fire after it was discovered that it had stored all kinds of data unencrypted. Additionally, in recent years, the American software giant has persistently pushed its browser onto users, sometimes pushing the limits of what was allowed under EU regulations.

Is Clippy back?

With the clumsiness surrounding Copilot, the assistant increasingly reminds people of Clippy, the infamous virtual paperclip from Microsoft Office. This animated character would eagerly pop up whenever you opened a program like Word. It quickly led to user frustration, as Clippy rarely provided useful suggestions in practice.