OneDrive loses bunch of Copilot shortcuts in File Explorer clear-out
Microsoft keeps 'Ask Copilot' as dedicated actions disappear between mid-November and early December
Microsoft is streamlining the presence of Copilot features within OneDrive's File Explorer right-click menu. The AI assistant won't be entirely removed, but shortcuts for functions like summarizing documents, generating FAQs, comparing files and images, explaining images, extracting text, and asking questions will be eliminated.
The rollout commences in mid-November and is scheduled to conclude by early December. The "Ask Copilot" button will persist. In September 2025, Microsoft unveiled the feature, stating it would allow direct AI integration into everyday file management. Users can still right-click a OneDrive file and select "Ask Copilot" to engage in conversation with the file or utilize the Copilot icon in File Explorer Home.
The redundant actions will also continue in the OneDrive activity center. Microsoft aimed to simplify the use of Copilot with OneDrive files in File Explorer. Although this necessitates an additional click, it prevents the menu from becoming overly crowded. Microsoft plans to adopt a more cautious approach to AI assistant appearances across its product line.
In March 2026, Windows head Pavan Davuluri commented on reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points, with File Explorer's context menu being a prime candidate for improvement.
Written by urgent.news from The Register's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
