In early 2026, Microsoft confirmed that Copilot cannot be fully removed from Windows 11, as its hooks are tightly embedded into core system components like COM, WinRT APIs, explorer.exe, and WebView2. Disabling the feature merely hides its interface while background processes and context-awareness logic remain active, potentially exposing user activity and system data without full user consent. Security experts warn this design creates persistent attack surfaces, as malware could exploit these always-on hooks or WebView2 interactions for command-and-control or data exfiltration. Recent demonstrations show attackers already abusing similar AI-integrated components like WebView2 to bypass network defenses using trusted services. Privacy advocates and users argue this level of inseparable integration undermines system trust and control, fueling calls to switch to alternatives like Linux for stronger security boundaries.