There are advanced methods to remove the Copilot entry from the Windows 11 context menu without losing other functionality.
Microsoft 365 apps allow you to disable Copilot individually from their own settings.
Global privacy settings may limit both Copilot recommendations and other smart features.
In recent years, the integration of the artificial intelligence in operating systems has marked a new stage in the personal and professional use of computers. Microsoft Copilot is a clear example of this trend, providing a digital assistant built into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 apps. However, not all users are comfortable with its presence, especially when it appears as a recommendation or shortcut in the start menu and other areas of the system.
Customize and disable Copilot recommendations and suggestions It's not always intuitive, and it depends on the app, the device, and even the version of Windows you're using. If you find the 'Ask Copilot' shortcut in the context menu, or the smart suggestions when opening the Start menu, annoying, I'll explain in this article. all available ways to disable, hide or limit your presence, and I'll warn you about the specific features depending on your system version and the new features Microsoft is rolling out. I'll also guide you with advanced tips if you want to remove only certain features, such as its integration into the context menu, without sacrificing the rest of Copilot's benefits. Let's learn How to disable Copilot recommendations in the start menu.
What is Copilot and why does it appear in the Start menu and context menu?
Since the last updates, Microsoft has bet heavily on Copilot as the central assistant of Windows 11This means Copilot can appear integrated into various locations throughout the operating system: the Start menu, the taskbar, the context menu when right-clicking on files, and even directly within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook applications.
The most visible function and, for many, the most intrusive, is the "Ask Copilot" option in the context menu. By simply right-clicking on any file, you can send it to Copilot and ask for information, analysis, or suggestions. This feature is intended to speed up access to AI, but not everyone perceives it as an advantage.
Microsoft justifies these developments as a step toward bringing AI closer to the average user, although it also recognizes that not everyone wants Copilot to be visible all the time. Therefore, many are looking for ways to disable or customize its presence to avoid distractions or maintain a cleaner digital environment.
How to disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint)
Microsoft 365 apps offer a specific settings to activate or deactivate CopilotIt's important to know that this setting is individual for each app (for example, it will only affect Word if you do it from within Word), and it's also device-specific.
You need to go app by app and device by device to completely disable Copilot.
In doing so, the Copilot icon on the ribbon disappears and you won't be able to access its features from that app.
This setting is available in updated versions of Microsoft 365 starting in March 2025, and if you don't see the option, check that you have the latest version installed.
Disabling Copilot on Windows
Open the application (e.g. Excel), go to File > Options > Copilot.
Uncheck the box Enable Copilot.
Click on Accept, close and restart the application.
To re-enable it, repeat the process and check the box again.
Disabling Copilot on Mac
Open the application (e.g., Word), access the application menu, and navigate to Preferences > Editing and Proofreading Tools > Copilot.
Remove the check from Enable Copilot.
Restart the app to apply the changes.
Tip: If someone else uses your computer, Disabling Copilot on that device affects all users of that device.If you have multiple computers, repeat the process on each one.
How to remove the Copilot shortcut from the Windows 11 context menu
One of the most common reasons users seek to disable Copilot is not so much the AI itself, but its immediate access from the context menu (right click). To date, Microsoft has not included a direct option in Windows 11 settings to hide or remove that entry, but there are two effective alternatives:
Uninstall Copilot completely: If you decide not to use Copilot at all, deleting the app will remove all of its integrations, including the context menu.
Edit the Windows Registry: For users who want to keep Copilot available, but without the context menu entry, there's an advanced method by editing the system registry. Only do this if you have some experience, and always back up your data first.
Step by Step: Remove 'Ask Copilot' from the Context Menu
Open Notepad and copy the following contents:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"{CB3B0003-8088-4EDE-8769-8B354AB2FF8C}"=-
Save the file as Remove Copilot.reg.
Double-click the created file and confirm the changes to the Registry.
Restart your computer for the change to take effect.
After this process, the context menu will be cleaner again without losing the rest of the Copilot features on your system.
Manage and disable Copilot recommendations in the Windows 11 Start menu
The Copilot recommendations In the Start menu, they often appear as suggestions or shortcuts under the Recommendations block. While there isn't yet a dedicated "Copilot" option within the Recommendations settings, you can limit its visibility by disabling several options related to app recommendations and suggestions in the Start menu.
Here's how to do it:
Opens Configuration (Windows key + I).
Click on Personalization > Home.
Turn off the options “Show app recommendations,” “Show recently added items,” “Show most used apps,” etc.
Please note that as Microsoft updates Windows 11, these options may change names or locations. If Copilot continues to appear, try searching other sections of Settings or checking for recent updates.
Copilot in Outlook: How to turn off suggestions and recommendations
Copilot has also arrived in Outlook, but the system for activating or deactivating it is different from Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Outlook introduces a toggle button labeled “Activate Copilot” which you can turn on or off from the application itself.
En Android and iOS: Go to “Quick Settings > Copilot”.
En Mac: Go to “Quick Settings > Copilot” (requires version 16.95.3 or higher).
En Web and new Outlook for Windows: Open “Settings > Copilot”.
An important peculiarity is that The choice of whether or not to activate Copilot applies to your account on all devicesThat is, if you disable it on your mobile device, it will also be disabled on your Mac if you use the same account. Currently, the classic version of Outlook for Windows doesn't include this feature.
Change your privacy settings to disable Copilot (if you don't have the direct option)
In some versions, or if you haven't sufficiently updated your Microsoft 365 apps, you won't yet see an "Enable Copilot" checkbox. However, you can configure your privacy options to disable Copilot, although this also affects other intelligent experiences in the suite, such as suggestions in Outlook or text predictions in Word.
In Windows:
Open the desired application (for example, PowerPoint), go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
In the “Connected Experiences” section, disable the option “Activate experiences that analyze content”.
This change is global and applies to all Microsoft 365 apps on your computer.
On Mac:
Open the app, go to Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy.
In the “Privacy” dialog box, select Connected Experiences > Manage Connected Experiences.
Uncheck “Activate experiences that analyze content” and save the changes.
Restart the app.
Of course, disabling this option could mean you lose useful cloud functionality, so consider whether this adjustment is worth it or whether you'd prefer to look for more specific methods just for Copilot.
Personalization, privacy, and data control in Copilot and Windows 11
In addition to disabling Copilot's visible presence, many users also look for limit personalization or the use of personal data in its recommendations. Microsoft allows you to manage customization and what Copilot remembers about you from the Copilot website, the Windows/macOS app, and the mobile app.
En copilot.com, access the profile icon and enter Privacy > Personalization.
On the desktop or mobile app, go to 'Settings > Privacy > Personalization'.
You can turn off personalization so Copilot stops remembering your conversations or preferences.
If you only want to delete specific conversations from the history used for personalization, that option is also available in the corresponding sections.
In addition, you can find out What Copilot knows about you by asking them directly, “What do you know about me?” and asking them to leave out specific details to improve the level of privacy of your experience.
Other recommendations and specific features depending on the version of Windows 11
Microsoft adds and removes Copilot features depending on the operating system version. For example, the Windows 24 2H11 update introduced several bugs, including the inability to completely hide Copilot from Settings, according to reports from users and forums. However, in version 23H2, hiding Copilot still works correctly.
If your version is buggy and the Copilot shortcut is not removed correctly, It is best to send feedback to Microsoft via the Feedback Hub app (Windows key + F) and keep your system up to date while waiting for new official fixes.
Model learning management and personalized ads in Copilot
Microsoft also lets you control whether your conversations are used for AI model learningThis way, you can prevent your chats from being used to train future versions of Copilot:
Access Copilot, enter Settings > Privacy > Model Learning, and you'll find options to exclude both text and voice.
The exclusion usually applies within a maximum of 30 days.
Finally, if you're signed in with your Microsoft account, you can control whether you see custom ads in Copilot and other services by disabling the setting in Custom Ad SettingsIf you choose to continue seeing personalized ads, you can still opt out of having your chat history feed into personalized ads. If you'd like to continue learning about Copilot, we recommend checking out our guides, such as this one: How to turn Copilot Mode on or off in Microsoft Edge
Nota: Authenticated users under the age of 18 do not receive personalized advertising, regardless of their settings.
Keyboard shortcuts and other quick Copilot integrations on Windows
Don't forget that in addition to recommendations and the context menu, Copilot offers a quick access using the shortcut Alt + spacebar, which can be useful or annoying, depending on your preferences. You can enable or disable this shortcut from Settings > Account > Open Copilot with shortcut.
You'll also find the Push to Talk feature, which allows you to interact with Copilot by voice. To enable or disable it, find the Push to Talk section in the Copilot app. Account > Settings > Press and hold Alt + Spacebar to speak.
By managing all these options, you can tailor Copilot and its recommendations to the way you work or use your PC, while maintaining control over the artificial intelligence on your system.
Microsoft continues to bet heavily on AI and especially on Copilot, although depending on your needs, you can limit or disable its recommendations and shortcuts both in specific applications and in Windows 11 in general. You'll find that, from settings changes to advanced Registry modifications, it's always possible to adjust Copilot's presence to your preferences, keeping your digital environment clean and controlled. We hope you've learned by now How to disable Copilot recommendations in the start menu.
Passionate about technology since he was little. I love being up to date in the sector and, above all, communicating it. That is why I have been dedicated to communication on technology and video game websites for many years. You can find me writing about Android, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Nintendo or any other related topic that comes to mind.
