Microsoft is quietly doing something that looks small on the surface but says a lot about where Windows 11’s AI story is headed: it is stripping the Copilot label out of some first-party apps while keeping the AI features intact. Users running the latest Windows 11 Insider builds are now seeing Notepad’s “Rewrite with Copilot” option shortened to simply “Rewrite,” and Snipping Tool’s “Open Copilot” button has been renamed to “Open AI.”

The change, first spotted by Windows enthusiasts and confirmed in Build 22635.5015 (Beta Channel) and Build 26200.5519 (Dev Channel), signals a shift in Microsoft’s approach to branding its AI assistant. Instead of plastering “Copilot” across every AI-powered feature, the company appears to be moving toward a more generic—and arguably less confusing—naming convention.

Notepad’s “Rewrite” Feature Gets a Name Change

Notepad’s AI-powered text rewriting tool, introduced earlier this year, originally launched as “Rewrite with Copilot.” Users could highlight a block of text, click the button, and have Copilot suggest alternative phrasings. In the latest Insider builds, that button now reads simply “Rewrite.”

The functionality hasn’t changed. Clicking “Rewrite” still brings up a sidebar where you can adjust tone, length, and format. Microsoft’s documentation confirms the feature remains powered by the same large language model backend. The only difference is the removal of the Copilot name from the button label.

This is a subtle but deliberate move. It suggests Microsoft is treating Copilot less as a brand plastered on every feature and more as a underlying platform that powers various tools. The company’s official changelog for Build 22635.5015 states: “We are updating the naming for some Copilot features in Notepad and Snipping Tool for clarity.”

Snipping Tool’s “Open Copilot” Becomes “Open AI”

Similarly, Snipping Tool’s “Open Copilot” button—which allowed users to send a screenshot directly to Copilot for analysis—has been renamed to “Open AI.” The icon and behavior remain identical: clicking the button launches a sidebar with AI-powered insights, including text extraction and image analysis.

The change is consistent across both the Beta and Dev channels, indicating it’s likely headed to the stable release in the coming months. For now, only Insiders see the new labels, but the direction is clear.

Why Microsoft Is Doing This

There are several plausible reasons for the rebranding. First, user confusion. The term “Copilot” has been applied broadly across Microsoft 365 apps, Windows 11, Edge, and even GitHub. For many users, it’s unclear what Copilot does in each context. By using more descriptive labels like “Rewrite” or “Open AI,” Microsoft reduces friction and makes the feature’s purpose immediately obvious.

Second, brand dilution. When every AI-powered feature is called “Copilot,” the term loses meaning. By reserving “Copilot” for the main AI assistant (the one accessed via the taskbar or Win+C), Microsoft can maintain a clearer product identity.

Third, regulatory and legal considerations. The European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and similar regulations in other regions have pressured Microsoft to unbundle services and avoid anti-competitive bundling. Removing “Copilot” from app-specific features could be seen as a way to comply with the spirit of these regulations without removing the AI functionality itself.

What This Means for Windows 11 Users

For everyday users, the change is largely cosmetic. If you’re not on Insider builds, you won’t see it yet. When it does arrive on stable Windows 11, you’ll simply notice that Notepad’s button says “Rewrite” and Snipping Tool’s says “Open AI.” The features will work exactly as before.

However, the rebranding hints at a broader strategy. Microsoft is clearly committed to AI in Windows 11, but it’s experimenting with how to present it. The company recently introduced a dedicated Copilot key on new keyboards, yet simultaneously allowed users to disable the Copilot button on the taskbar. This push-and-pull suggests Microsoft is still figuring out the right balance between integration and user choice.

Community Reaction

On Windows forums and social media, reactions have been mixed. Some users applaud the clarity. “Finally, I don’t have to guess what a button does,” wrote one user on a popular Windows community. Others are skeptical, viewing it as a retreat from AI ambitions. “First they kill Cortana, now they’re hiding Copilot. What’s next?”

A more nuanced take comes from longtime Windows watchers who see this as a maturation of Microsoft’s AI strategy. By decoupling the brand from individual features, Microsoft can iterate on AI capabilities without constantly renaming things. It also allows third-party developers to integrate AI features without being forced to use the Copilot brand.

The Bigger Picture: Microsoft’s AI Roadmap

Microsoft’s AI efforts extend far beyond Windows 11. Copilot is deeply embedded in Microsoft 365, Azure, Bing, and Edge. On Windows, the company is also testing a new “Windows Intelligence” feature that brings AI-powered search and recommendations to the operating system. The rebranding of Notepad and Snipping Tool features could be a precursor to a more unified AI naming scheme across the entire ecosystem.

At Build 2024, Microsoft hinted at a future where AI agents—not just chatbots—handle complex tasks across apps. The company demoed a feature where Copilot could automatically summarize a meeting, draft an email, and update a CRM record. In that context, having a single “Copilot” brand for all AI interactions makes sense. But for simple, single-purpose tools like “Rewrite in Notepad,” a generic label may be more appropriate.

How to Get the Updated Features

If you’re eager to see the changes, you’ll need to join the Windows Insider Program. Enroll your device in the Beta or Dev Channel, install the latest build (22635.5015 or higher), and update your apps via the Microsoft Store. Notepad and Snipping Tool are store-distributed, so you may need to manually check for updates.

For those who prefer stability, the changes will likely roll out to the general public in the next few months, possibly as part of the Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2).

Conclusion

Microsoft’s decision to drop Copilot branding from Notepad and Snipping Tool is a small but telling adjustment. It reflects a company that is still learning how to sell AI to a skeptical audience. By focusing on what features do rather than what brand powers them, Microsoft hopes to make AI more approachable.

Whether this is the right move remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the AI features themselves aren’t going anywhere. They’re just getting a name change.