Hi Microsoft, Windows 11 doesn't have two Start menus — Copilot is playing you

Microsoft has been caught slacking. Despite its trillion-dollar market capitalization, the tech giant used AI-generated images in an official Windows Learning Center blog post, which is supposed to be promoting Windows 11 features.

As noted by Windows Latest, the Copilot‑generated images contained glaring errors — most notably, they incorrectly showed two Start menus on Windows 11’s Taskbar (via VideoCardz).

It's still unclear why Microsoft opted to use AI-generated images instead of professional product shots or real screenshots. My guess is that it might be a subtle play by the company to showcase Copilot's image-generation capabilities.

I’ll admit, despite the inaccuracies in Windows 11’s interface, the image itself looks fairly polished.

However, as the outlet pointed out, Microsoft has clearly labeled these visuals as AI Art Created by Copilot, confirming they were generated by the chatbot.

💬 Are the Copilot AI-generated images in Windows 11 guides misleading?

While I only highlighted the erroneous AI-generated image with two Start menus in Windows 11's Taskbar, there are many examples in Microsoft's Windows Learning Center, which features a ton of how-to guides and explainers about Windows 11.

It's a bit concerning and unfortunate if a less tech-savvy person bumps into one of these guides while seeking some sort of assistance with their system. It's confusing, "why doesn't my Windows 11 PC not have two Start menus like the one shared by Microsoft? Is my system broken?"

I occasionally use Copilot for testing new features and surface-level research. Microsoft makes it crystal-clear that Copilot can make mistakes when launching the app. It's a bit funny that the company didn't listen to its own advice.

This week I covered a curious story where a Gartner analyst suggested banning Copilot use on Friday afternoons, arguing employees are too burnt out then to catch its mistakes. Makes you wonder if Microsoft drafts these posts on Fridays.

In January, Microsoft pledged to improve user sentiment around Windows 11 by enhancing the operating system’s experience based on feedback. The company is already delivering on that promise, reintroducing popular features like the ability to move and resize the taskbar — a capability that, in my view, should never have been removed.

Microsoft also promised to address major pain points across the OS, including reevaluating its AI strategy. Our Senior Editor, Zac Bowden, recently revealed that the company has scrapped its plans to integrate Copilot to notifications and Settings on Windows 11 as part of its broader strategy to reduce AI bloatware.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.