Of course, activating Windows 11 in a less-than-legitimate way is nothing new. And the script that Copilot provides instructions for isn’t even a new one—it’s been around for a few years. However, the fact that Microsoft hasn’t created some kind of safety net to keep Copilot from talking people through the exact process is kind of crazy.

New piece of stealth advertising in Windows 11 is a warning to back up your PC – and while that’s good advice, not everyone needs prodding to use OneDrive.

Redditors have discovered that Copilot will recommend a script to permanently activate copies of Windows and Office. It’s a method that’s been available for a couple of years now, but it’s certainly amusing to see Copilot offer up the exact detailed steps.

Microsoft has a piracy problem, and it's had it for some time. In 2006, the LA Times reported that software piracy had caused the company a loss of around $14 billion that year alone, despite the millions Microsoft spent trying to prevent the copying and distribution of its software and Windows operating system.

A Redditor asked Microsoft’s Copilot if there was a script to activate Windows 11, and the Copilot outlined the instructions. The Copilot AI guided the Redditor through step-by-step instructions on illegally activating Windows copies using the Microsoft Activation Scripts.

Microsoft has finally launched the official Copilot app for macOS, but it's initially rolling out to users in the US and UK.