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Copilot does not Launch

L2Ki2ki 0 Reputation points
2026-05-24T15:36:59.2733333+00:00

I am continually having issues launching Copilot. When I click on the Copilot app icon in my taskbar, it won't open, no matter how many times I press it. I've tried several methods to fix this issue by resetting or reinstalling the app through Windows Settings, but the problem persists.

Here are the steps I've followed, listed from quickest to most thorough:

  1. Repair the Copilot App
    • Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
    • Go to Apps > Installed apps.
    • Search for Microsoft Copilot.
    • Click the three dots next to it and select "Advanced options."
    • Scroll down and click "Repair." Wait a minute, then try opening it again. If it still doesn’t work, click "Reset" in that same menu.
  2. Reinstall Copilot
    • If resetting doesn’t help, a clean reinstall usually does the trick:
    • Go back to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
    • Find Microsoft Copilot, click the three dots, and select "Uninstall."
    • Once it’s uninstalled, open the pre-installed Microsoft Store app.
    • Search for Microsoft Copilot and click "Install."
  3. Test Alternate Launch Methods
    • Sometimes the taskbar shortcut may be broken, but the app itself could be functioning fine. Try launching it using these methods:
      • Press Windows Key + C or Windows Key + Copilot (if your keyboard has a dedicated key) to see if it triggers.
      • Press the Windows Key, type "Copilot," and press Enter.

If none of these methods restore access to the app, please check for pending updates in Settings > Windows Update to ensure your system and apps are running the latest versions.

My computer is running Windows 10 and is enrolled in the ESU program. It is up-to-date. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Microsoft Copilot | Windows Copilot | App
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  1. Hendrix-V 14,680 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-25T03:03:33.32+00:00

    Hi L2Ki2ki,

    Thanks for sharing the detailed steps you’ve already tried, that really helps narrow things down.

    Since repair, reset, and reinstall didn’t change the behavior, this is likely not a typical app corruption issue but something affecting how Copilot initializes on your system. Here are a few targeted checks that you can try next:

    1, Launch Copilot outside the taskbar

    • Open Start > type “Copilot” > Enter to confirm whether the issue is related to how it’s being launched rather than the app itself.

    2, Check for network blockers - temporarily test without:

    • VPN or proxy
    • Third‑party firewall/security tools

    3, Validate account and availability - make sure you’re signed in with a Microsoft account

    If the issue continues after this, testing with another Windows user profile can help determine if it’s profile-specific. As a workaround, you can use Copilot for the web while testing.

    Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-24T15:37:12.7733333+00:00

    On Windows 10, use the built-in Copilot troubleshooters and license checks in addition to the repair/reinstall steps already tried.

    1. Run the Copilot license troubleshooter
      • Open the Get Help app (Start menu → type "Get Help").
      • In the Search box, enter Copilot License Troubleshooter.
      • Follow the guided steps and apply any fixes it suggests.
      • This checks whether the account and device have the right Copilot entitlement and whether that entitlement is being recognized.
    2. Run the Copilot connectivity troubleshooter
      • In Get Help, search for Copilot connectivity troubleshooter.
      • Run it and follow the prompts.
      • This looks for firewall, proxy, or other network issues that can prevent Copilot from starting or signing in correctly.
    3. Verify Copilot on Windows is installed and launched correctly
      • On Windows 10 ESU, Copilot is accessed via the Copilot app.
      • Confirm the app is present by opening Start → search for Copilot and launching it from there (not just the taskbar icon).
      • If it opens from Start but not from the taskbar, unpin the existing taskbar icon and pin it again from the running app.
    4. Confirm account sign-in
      • When Copilot opens, sign in with a personal Microsoft account if prompted.
      • Copilot on Windows uses the Microsoft account to enable chat history and other features; if sign-in is blocked or incomplete, the app may fail to launch correctly.
    5. If issues persist
      • After running both troubleshooters and confirming the app launches from Start, but it still fails or closes immediately, capture the findings from Get Help and contact Microsoft support from within the Get Help app for deeper diagnostics.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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