Microsoft is at it again. In a move that’s sure to raise the eyebrows of Windows 11 users, the company has begun automatically installing a new “Microsoft 365 Companion” app on their systems. The catch? They’re doing it without asking for permission first.
If you’re a Windows 11 user with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, or Outlook installed, you can expect to see this new addition pop up in your taskbar soon. The rollout, which began in October 2025, is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025. And to make matters even more intrusive, the app is set to launch automatically at startup, albeit minimized in the taskbar.
So, what exactly is this new app that Microsoft has deemed so essential? The Microsoft 365 Companion is designed to give you quick access to your files, events, and contacts through mini-windows on your taskbar. While this might sound useful to some, the lack of user consent in its installation is a major point of contention.
This heavy-handed approach has sparked a backlash among users who feel that Microsoft is overstepping its boundaries. While enterprise IT administrators will have some control over the deployment through the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center, personal users are left with no way to opt out before the app is installed.
This move is a clear indication of Microsoft’s aggressive strategy to push its 365 ecosystem on all Windows users. By embedding the 365 Companion directly into the operating system, Microsoft is hoping to further integrate its services into the daily workflow of its users. However, this tactic of forcing software on users without their consent is a risky one, and it remains to be seen how it will affect the company’s relationship with its user base in the long run.
