Microsoft's Copilot obsession has continued with the AI assistant unexpectedly arriving on Windows Server 2022 this week, in a situation the software giant is calling an "incorrect install."

First spotted by [1]Windows Latest , the Copilot app turned up as part of a Microsoft Edge update rather than the full-fat incarnation that [2]emerged in Windows Server 2025 recently.

The addition of Copilot to pre-release Windows Server 2025 desktops some weeks back generated an "I dunno" shrug when we asked company insiders about what might have happened. The install to Server 2022 via Edge is a bit more stealthy; it apparently only shows up in the Apps & Features area of Settings. There's precious little else on the desktop to indicate Copilot's presence.

[3]

The installation appears to have been accidental – Windows Server 2022 is not a targeted platform for Copilot (at least, not yet) – and the package doesn't seem to do anything. It should be removed from the server operating system as part of a future Edge update, Microsoft [4]said , adding that the chat provider for Copilot in Windows component would be removed from devices where it is "not intended to be enabled or installed".

[5]

[6]

Microsooft confirmed: "This includes most Windows Server devices."

The software giant said [7]yesterday that the problem began with updates to Edge browser version 123.0.2420.65 (March 28, 2024 and later), which it admitted might "incorrectly install" the relevant "package (MSIX) called 'Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows' on Windows devices."

[8]

Seeking to reassure users, Microsoft added: "It is important to note that the Microsoft chat provider for Copilot in Windows does not execute any code or process, and does not acquire, analyze, or transmit device or environment data in any capacity."

The incident, however, will do little to soothe administrators' rattled nerves. While desktop editions of Windows might be subject to an odd accident or two, the server edition is usually more robust. An accidental installation of something that many administrators cannot remove without diving into the Group Policy editor is not a great look.

Copilot has been cropping up across Microsoft's product line-up in recent months. The company has gone so far as to [9]add a Copilot key to Windows 11 keyboards in order to trigger the "Copilot Experience," although the company's server software has been spared up until now.

[10]Logitech intros free tool for ChatGPT prompts... plus a mouse with an AI button

[11]Devaluing content created by AI is lazy and ignores history

[12]Microsoft hikes Dynamics 365 prices by around ten percent or more

[13]Microsoft hiring Inflection team triggers interest from EU's antitrust chief

For the time being, the arrival of Copilot via Edge in Windows Server 2022 appears to have been accidental, and the brief appearance of the assistant in a Windows Server 2025 preview build was hopefully no more than someone clicking the wrong option in a build tool.

However, the direction of travel is clear. Microsoft sees AI as a key differentiator for its products. As such, it is tough to imagine that there is not a marketing team somewhere within the company looking very hard at the server lineup.

[14]

While Copilot arriving with Edge on Server 2022 might have been an accident this time, it cannot be long before a perky assistant pops up with an offer to administrators: "It looks like you're trying to Server. Do you want some help with that?" ®

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[1] https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/04/16/microsoft-copilot-app-spotted-in-windows-server-2022-but-it-does-nothing-for-now/

[2] https://twitter.com/TheBobPony/status/1760761693792067750

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZiFDnV-iCBXwrmjWvGVZRgAAAM0&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-23h2

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZiFDnV-iCBXwrmjWvGVZRgAAAM0&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZiFDnV-iCBXwrmjWvGVZRgAAAM0&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[7] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-23h2

[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZiFDnV-iCBXwrmjWvGVZRgAAAM0&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/04/windows_keyboards_copilot/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/17/logitech_introduces_ai_prompt_tool/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/17/devaluing_ai_content_is_lazy/

[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/15/dynamics_365_price_rises/

[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/05/ai_talent_wars_craziest_ever_seen/

[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZiFDnV-iCBXwrmjWvGVZRgAAAM0&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/