TL;DR
Microsoft's first Windows Insider build of 2026 introduces a RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy that lets administrators remove the Copilot app from managed devices, but only under strict conditions. The change appears in Dev and Beta build 26220.7535 and may not reach general release.
What happened
Microsoft rolled out a new enterprise policy in the opening Windows Insider release of 2026 that is intended to let IT administrators remove the Microsoft Copilot app from managed devices. The policy, named RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, requires several conditions before removal is possible: the device must have both Microsoft 365 Copilot and the Microsoft Copilot app installed, the app must not have been installed by the end user, and it must not have been launched within the past 28 days. The capability appears in build 26220.7535 on the Dev and Beta Insider Channels, a release window during which those channels were briefly aligned. Microsoft says the policy enables targeted removal, but the company also notes users can reinstall the app. The same update expanded AI-generated image and chart descriptions via Narrator on Windows 11 devices while retaining on-device image descriptions for Copilot+ PCs.
Why it matters
- Gives enterprises a way to remove Copilot from managed devices, responding to admin concerns about preinstalled AI features.
- Strict preconditions and the ability for users to reinstall limit how effective the policy will be in practice.
- Placement in Dev/Beta channels means the change is experimental and may be altered or not shipped to production.
- Reflects Microsoft's effort to balance enterprise control with its broader push to embed AI across Windows.
Key facts
- Policy name: RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp.
- Appeared in the first Windows Insider release of 2026 (build 26220.7535) for Dev and Beta Channels.
- Three removal conditions: device must have both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot installed; the app must not have been installed by the user; the app must not have been launched in the prior 28 days.
- Administrators have previously been able to remove Microsoft Copilot using Intune and other management tools.
- Microsoft described the new setting as enabling removal 'in a targeted way.'
- Users who want the app can reinstall it after removal.
- Update also expanded Copilot-related image and chart descriptions via Narrator across Windows 11 devices; Copilot+ PCs continue to provide on-device image descriptions using local AI.
What to watch next
- Whether RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp will be included in a production Windows release or changed before general availability — not confirmed in the source.
- How IT teams respond to the 28-day launch restriction and other conditions in real-world deployments — not confirmed in the source.
- Potential changes to reinstall behavior or further controls to prevent user reinstallation — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Microsoft Copilot: A conversational AI assistant integrated into Windows and Microsoft services to help with tasks and information retrieval.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: An AI feature set tied to Microsoft 365 apps and services that brings generative AI capabilities to productivity tools.
- Windows Insider Program: Microsoft's testing program that delivers pre-release Windows builds to volunteers and organizations via channels such as Dev and Beta.
- Intune: Microsoft's cloud-based device and application management service used by IT administrators to enforce policies on managed devices.
Reader FAQ
Can administrators remove Copilot from managed devices?
Yes — the RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy is intended to allow removal, but it applies only when specific conditions are met.
What conditions block removal?
Removal is blocked if the app was installed by the user or if the Copilot app has been launched within the past 28 days.
Is this change already in stable Windows releases?
No. It appears in a Dev/Beta Insider build (26220.7535); whether it will reach production is not confirmed in the source.
Can users reinstall Copilot after administrators remove it?
According to the announcement, users can reinstall the Copilot app if they choose.
AI + ML Microsoft teases targeted Copilot removal for admins Yes, you can get rid of it – assuming nobody's looked at it in 28 days Richard Speed Mon 12 Jan 2026 //…
Sources
- Microsoft teases targeted Copilot removal for admins
- One-Time Remove Microsoft Copilot with Windows 11 Group Policy
- Microsoft may soon allow IT admins to uninstall Copilot
- Admins finally get the power to uninstall Microsoft Copilot …
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