Microsoft backtracks on intrusive Copilot button in Office

Microsoft Adjusts Its Strategy in Response to Copilot's Unpopularity

Microsoft has recently decided to remove the floating button of its Copilot assistant, which had been integrated into Microsoft 365's Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications. This decision comes after only 3.3% of users of the office suite chose to pay for this service. Rather than questioning the reasons for this limited adoption, Microsoft initially opted for a maximum visibility strategy by making the button impossible to hide. However, this approach did not achieve the expected success.

A Controversial Rollout Since December 2025

Since December 2025, Microsoft had gradually introduced what it called the "Dynamic Action Button" in its flagship applications. This floating button, positioned in the bottom right corner of the screen, followed the user from one document to another without the option to hide it. In Excel, this feature proved particularly problematic, as the button overlapped with data cells and even appeared in screenshots. The only option for users was to "dock" it to the side via a right-click, with no possibility of making it disappear completely. The rollout of this feature was completed in May, but user feedback was largely negative, highlighting the intrusive nature of this innovation.

Microsoft Acknowledges the Mistake and Adjusts Its Strategy

In a statement to Windows Latest, Microsoft admitted that the floating button disrupted users' workflows. The company announced it would restore the option to place Copilot in the ribbon, thus offering more flexibility to users. Microsoft's official statement mentions an effort to make Microsoft 365 more integrated with Copilot, while emphasizing that this assistant should be available "when you need it." This nuance seems to indicate a gradual awareness on the part of the company regarding the importance of respecting user preferences.

A Series of Revealing Backtracks

The removal of the floating button is part of a series of backtracks by Microsoft concerning Copilot. In October 2025, the Microsoft 365 mobile app was transformed to highlight Copilot, at the expense of traditional office features. In February 2026, Copilot also made its way into the Windows 11 installation screen. In March, Microsoft removed Copilot from File Explorer and system settings after an executive acknowledged that Windows 11 had become "a giant advertisement." These successive adjustments demonstrate a certain clarity on Microsoft's part, which now seems more attentive to user feedback.

Limited Adoption Despite Increased Visibility

Of the 450 million commercial users of Microsoft 365, only 15 million have chosen to pay for Copilot, resulting in an adoption rate of just 3.3%. When users are given the choice between Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gemini, only 8% continue to use Microsoft's assistant. Mat Velloso, former product vice president at Microsoft, recently stated that the company had "missed the AI wave like it did with the Internet and mobile." Although Microsoft observed an increase in engagement with Copilot after the introduction of the floating button, it is likely that this uptick was due to accidental clicks rather than genuine user interest. This backtrack indicates that Microsoft is beginning to understand that visibility alone is not enough to foster adoption.