In early March, Microsoft released an Edge update that caused Out of Memory (OOM) errors even on systems with more than enough RAM. The company was forced to withdraw the update and explained that a Defender feature was causing the bugs.
In less than a month, another buggy Edge update was released, showing an 8KB Microsoft Copilot entry in the Windows 11 installed apps list. Again, the update was pulled shortly after.
Microsoft confirmed that these were bugs and that the app (Microsoft Copilot) is harmless as it does not run any code in the background and does not record user data.
The company explains :
Updates to Edge browser version 123.0.2420.65, released on March 28, 2024 and later, may incorrectly install a new package (MSIX) called 'Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows'. So the Microsoft Copilot app can appear in the menu
It is important to note that Microsoft's chat provider app for Copilot on Windows does not run any code or process and does not collect, analyze or transmit device data.
This package is intended to prepare certain Windows devices for future activation of Windows Copilot and is not intended for all devices. Although the component installed as part of this preparation may cause Microsoft Copilot to appear in installed applications, it does not install and activate Microsoft Copilot.
As part of the upcoming resolution of this issue, the chat provider application for Copilot on Windows will be removed from devices on which Microsoft Copilot will not be activated or installed.
George is still wondering what he is doing here….
