Technology

Clippy, Microsoft’s hapless Office assistant, was retired 25 years ago today — its irritating spirit lives on in 100+ Copilots

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Apr 11, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Microsoft's Clippy, the infamous Office assistant retired 25 years ago, continues to influence over 100 Copilots. Clippy, introduced with Office 97, was met with disdain for its repetitive phrases. Despite its failure, Clippy has gained a nostalgic following and even appeared as an emoji in Microsoft 365. Microsoft's move towards digital assistants like Copilot may see a shift with a focus on OS performance and reliability, potentially reducing Copilot interactions.

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Microsoft denies Copilot is only for entertainment purpose, after its own document says do not trust AI

Microsoft clarifies that its Copilot AI tool is not solely for entertainment purposes, despite a terms-of-use document warning users not to trust the AI completely. The document cautioned against relying on Copilot for important advice and urged users to use it at their own risk. Microsoft attributes the outdated language to Copilot's origins as a search companion service in Bing and plans to update the documentation to reflect its current capabilities. While Copilot has evolved to offer productivity tools like document creation and Windows 11 control, public data suggests it is not leading in the AI race.

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At least 80 different Microsoft Copilot products have been mapped out by expert, but there may be more than 100 — Microsoft doesn't have a singular list available, so AI consultant mapped out the myriad products

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New Copilot for Windows 11 includes a full Microsoft Edge package, uses more RAM

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This $28 floppy disk SSD enclosure is a fun and fast way to keep your storage safe — both practical and nostalgic, this rugged USB-C aluminum enclosure for M.2 drives supports speeds of up to 1,200 MB/s

The Hagibis SSD enclosure, shaped like an old floppy disk, is a nostalgic and practical storage solution priced at $27.99. This USB-C aluminum enclosure supports M.2 drives and offers speeds up to 1,200 MB/s, making it a fast and fun way to store your files. It is lightweight, portable, and compatible with various M.2 NVMe SSD sizes, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional external SSDs. The enclosure's aluminum shell aids in heat dissipation, and its compact design includes a key attachment hole for convenience. Consider this affordable and efficient storage upgrade, especially on World Backup Day, to safeguard your data.