Microsoft’s long-standing practice of bundling apps with Windows is continuing, this time with the introduction of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Beginning in October 2025, users who already have Microsoft 365 desktop apps installed will automatically see the new Copilot entry appear in their Start menu.
The change was announced through the Microsoft 365 Admin portal, though details about the app’s functionality and removability remain vague.
What the New Copilot App Does
While Copilot features are already deeply integrated into Office apps such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, this new app appears to serve as a central hub for Microsoft 365’s AI capabilities.
Some of the expected features include:
- Searching for files and content across projects
- Automating repetitive tasks with AI agents
- Providing quick access to Copilot tools within the broader Microsoft 365 suite
Effectively, it’s an extension of functionality that many users already have—raising questions about whether a standalone app is necessary at all.
For many, the issue isn’t Copilot itself—Microsoft decides to pre-install apps without asking. On enterprise systems, especially, automatically adding software creates extra work for IT admins, who must configure policies to block installations if they don’t want them.
This “install first, offer a way to opt out later” approach has become familiar to Microsoft, and it often frustrates organizations and consumers alike.
Interestingly, this rollout will not apply to users in the European Economic Area (EEA). Due to stricter regulations, Microsoft cannot pre-install apps or services without explicit user consent in that region. For many, this highlights how user experience in the EEA can sometimes be smoother compared to other markets.
Branding Confusion Continues
This move also comes on the heels of Microsoft’s recent rebranding efforts, where both Microsoft 365 and Copilot apps for enterprise customers received new, lengthier names. Critics argue that this naming strategy is confusing and dilutes the clarity of the brand.
If the trend continues, users may even start seeing names like PowerPoint Copilot—a redundancy that underscores Microsoft’s push to slap the Copilot label onto nearly everything in its ecosystem.
The Microsoft 365 Copilot app may well prove useful, but its forced installation raises concerns about user choice and admin workload. For now, IT administrators will need to stay alert and adjust policies if they want to prevent automatic rollouts.
For everyday users, don’t be surprised if the app suddenly appears in your Start menu next month—whether you asked for it or not.
