Microsoft is once again facing criticism over its approach to Windows 11 updates.
Starting this month, the company will begin automatically installing its new Microsoft 365 Companion app on any device that already has Microsoft 365 desktop apps like Word, Excel, or Outlook.
Users won’t be asked for permission, and the rollout is expected to be completed globally by the end of December.
Microsoft confirmed that the Companion apps will automatically launch at startup, staying minimized in the taskbar so they’re “ready with relevant results” as soon as users open them.
While the company frames this as a productivity boost, critics argue it feels like another instance of forced bloatware that slows down boot times and clutters the taskbar.
The apps themselves, taskbar mini-windows designed to surface files, events, and contacts quickly, aren’t necessarily the problem. In fact, a number of users may find value in their Copilot AI. The real issue is Microsoft’s heavy-handed rollout approach.
With limited options for personal users to opt out and enterprise IT admins scrambling to adjust rollout settings, this move is just one of the many instances in the growing tension between Microsoft’s AI-first strategy and users’ desire for control over their devices.
The Companion apps are lightweight, taskbar-integrated tools designed to provide quick access to information without opening full applications.
People allows users to locate colleagues and organizational contacts, Files provides access to both cloud-based and local documents, and Calendar connects directly with Microsoft 365’s scheduling features.
Rollout Timeline
According to Microsoft’s Message Center update, the rollout will begin later this month and continue through December.
Microsoft has advised IT administrators to inform users about the rollout in advance to avoid confusion. Organizations will have some control over the deployment, with settings available through the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center to prevent or manage installations.
Personal users, however, will not be able to opt out before installation takes place.
