Microsoft recently paused its push to integrate Copilot into in-box apps on Windows 11. While many praised that move, including myself, I'm actually arguing for Microsoft to breathe life into an abandoned app by adding Copilot.
I promise there's a method to the madness.
This week Microsoft began gradually rolling out a new "Reminders" feature for Copilot. The addition adds features like recurring reminders, automating repeated tasks, and cross-device notifications for reminders. But wait, aren't those all things we've had for years in Microsoft To Do and other apps?
Reminders is still in its early stages — having not even been formally announced by Microsoft — but its rollout serves as a reminder that Microsoft already has an app for this: Microsoft To Do.
It's hard to tell if Microsoft has reinvented the wheel because its teams don't talk to each other or if Microsoft To Do is just abandonware.
A comment by "IDon't Know" on our article covering Copilot Reminders sums up the "new" feature:
"Neato, AI can do a simple task that has already been easily achieved many times over with various apps and devices for years now."
Copilot Reminders are at worst completely redundant when looking at other tools from Microsoft and third-party developers. At best, Copilot Reminders are AI spice looking to be served up on the dish that is Microsoft To Do. Unfortunately, that dish is cold.
Microsoft To Do was once a great app for task management. It actually is still quite good at that task, but it has seemingly been abandoned by Microsoft.
The app still mentions Cortana and uses the Windows 10 logo for goodness' sake. X user @XenoPanther highlighted the sad state of affairs over at Microsoft To Do
Todo still mentions Cortana and uses the Windows 10 logo pic.twitter.com/1RgUoTF4LLFebruary 5, 2026
I can hear the comments now. "Sean, you blast Microsoft for integrating AI into apps. Aren't you happy to see an app left untouched by Copilot?"
I'm against Microsoft forcing AI into apps where AI is unneeded. Notepad doesn't need Copilot (or to rely on servers that can result in the app not launching).
AI is fine when it's useful. I wouldn't mind some Copilot integrations with Microsoft To Do if those tools improved task management.
It’s a bizarre sight: Microsoft is currently tearing through the Windows attic, brushing the dust off ancient utilities like Notepad and Paint to jam Copilot buttons into every available pixel. Yet, for some reason, Microsoft To Do — an app that actually sits at the intersection of productivity and planning — remains locked in a 2020 time capsule.
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Sales on Windows 11 PCs
Some of the best PC deals we've seen this year end this weekend. Best Buy's deal on the ASUS Vivobook 14 is especially attractive because it gets you a good Windows laptop for less than $450. The Lenovo Slim 7x deal from Best Buy also expires at the end of the weekend.
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