Microsoft keeps 'Ask Copilot' as dedicated actions disappear between mid-November and early December

Microsoft is pruning OneDrive's Copilot options from File Explorer's right-click menu, though the AI assistant isn't being shown the door entirely.

The Windows giant will remove shortcuts for summarizing documents, generating FAQs, comparing files and images, explaining images, extracting text, and asking questions. The rollout begins in mid-November and is expected to finish by early December. "Ask Copilot" will remain.

Microsoft's September 2025 announcement of the feature said: "We are bringing the power of AI directly into your daily file management experience. With just a few clicks, Copilot can help you summarize lengthy documents, generate an FAQ, compare files, or answer questions about your file."

Users can still right-click a OneDrive file and select "Ask Copilot" to start a conversation with the file attached, or use the Copilot icon in File Explorer Home. The individual actions will also remain available in the OneDrive activity center.

Adding a clutch of Copilot options with identical icons did little to make an already crowded menu easier to navigate. In its message on the subject, Microsoft said: "We're simplifying how people use Copilot with their OneDrive files in File Explorer."

An extra click, yes, but at least you won't need a taller screen to view even more context menu options.

Microsoft has stated that it intends to adopt a more thoughtful approach to how and where its AI assistant turns up in its product line. In March 2026, Windows boss Pavan Davuluri said: "We are reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points." File Explorer's crowded right-click menu seems as good a place to start as any.

The File Explorer context menu is also undergoing an overhaul as part of Microsoft's attempt to make it less "cluttered and sluggish," to the point where users could opt to have it work a bit like it used to in Windows 10. ®