Microsoft has started removing Copilot branding from Notepad in Windows 11, replacing it with a more neutral label while keeping the underlying AI features intact.
In the latest Notepad preview update, the Copilot menu has been renamed to “writing tools.” The functionality remains unchanged, but the interface no longer references Copilot. The update also replaces the Copilot icon with a pen icon, signaling the shift toward more generic branding.
Microsoft has also removed AI-related references from the Notepad settings menu. Options for enabling or disabling these features are now grouped under “Advanced features,” rather than being labeled as AI tools.
The update is currently available to Windows Insiders, with Notepad version 11.2512.28.0. Users with this version will notice the updated labeling and interface changes as part of the rollout.
While the AI capabilities remain in place, the update reflects Microsoft’s broader move to scale back Copilot branding across Windows 11. Users who prefer not to use AI features can still disable them within the app settings.