Microsoft giveth and Microsoft taketh away: Copilot edition
Microsoft is adding a feature that lets users create Office documents from prompts in the Copilot app, then edit and share them while continuing the Copilot conversation. The move brings Office into Copilot, even as Microsoft removes an earlier Copilot feature from Outlook, highlighting how quickly the company may change direction.
The document-creation feature is rolling out only to Frontier customers using Chat and Cowork, and relies on OneDrive rather than SharePoint. Microsoft is retiring Themes by Copilot in Outlook less than two years after announcing it: users can keep an existing theme until they change it, but cannot select it again afterwards. The reason for the removal is unclear; the article suggests low use or a shift in Microsoft’s priorities may be factors.
- Copilot can create Office documents from prompts.
- The new feature is limited to Frontier Chat and Cowork customers.
- Outlook’s Copilot themes are being removed.
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Copilot is Microsoft's artificial intelligence assistant built into many of the company's products to help users with tasks such as writing and analysis. Microsoft has been experimenting rapidly with AI features across its applications, trying to determine which ones users genuinely want and find useful.
The company is currently introducing new capabilities that allow Copilot to help users create and edit documents within its Office suite, the productivity applications used by billions of people worldwide. However, Microsoft is simultaneously removing an AI feature from Outlook, its email application, less than two years after introducing it.
The simultaneous addition and removal of features reflects continuing uncertainty within large technology companies about which artificial intelligence capabilities users actually need. Companies remain unsure which features will gain widespread adoption, leading them to introduce new capabilities quickly and withdraw them if adoption proves disappointing or strategic priorities shift. This pattern of rapid iteration is likely to continue as artificial intelligence technology develops.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
This rapid experimentation reflects necessary innovation and proper resource allocation. Themes by Copilot clearly wasn't resonating with users, and removing it allows Microsoft to concentrate efforts on more promising capabilities like the new document-creation feature. Existing users retain access to their current themes, minimising disruption. Companies serving millions must be willing to pivot quickly, and this agility ultimately serves customers better than persisting with unpopular features.
The case against
Removing features without explanation undermines trust in Microsoft's Copilot direction and creates product instability. Users who invested effort learning Themes by Copilot face disruption with no transparency about the decision. This pattern discourages adoption of new features when their longevity is uncertain. A more user-centric approach would involve either improving underperforming features or providing clear communication about deprecation plans.