How to remove Copilot from Windows and disable AI step by step

Last update: 03/03/2026

  • Copilot can be uninstalled as a standalone app in some versions of Windows 11 and blocked in others via group policies or registry.
  • Microsoft 365 and Outlook allow you to disable Copilot per application or account, and the privacy settings cut many smart features.
  • Edge, Notepad, Paint, and other system apps integrate AI that can be disabled, hidden, or removed with tools like RemoveWindowsAI.
  • Windows 11 includes many optional AI features that can be turned off from Settings to regain a more classic and private experience.
Remove copilot from Windows

Artificial intelligence has been embedded in every corner of Windows 11 for some time now. For many users, it's a fantastic help; for others, a real nuisance. That's why many have opted for Remove Copilot from Windows, despite the advantages that this prodigious technology puts at our disposal.

If you're tired of seeing Copilot And if you're tired of the other AI features on your PC and want to get rid of them, here's a complete guide. We'll cover all the ways to disable, hide, or even delete Copilot in Windows 11 and Windows 10. We'll also show you how to limit AI in Microsoft 365, Edge, and other system applications. The goal is simple: to help you get back to having a clean Windows experience that's as much under your control as possible.

Why do so many people want to remove Copilot from Windows?

In recent months, curiosity has turned into a a certain weariness with AI in WindowsWhat Microsoft sells as a productivity revolution is perceived by many users as an invasion: sidebars you didn't ask for, new buttons on the taskbar, background processes, and constant attempts to get you to "configure" Copilot as soon as you log in, often without a clear option to say no.

Many people remember it fondly. the philosophy of Windows 7A robust, stable, unobtrusive system that didn't interfere while you worked or played. Windows 11, on the other hand, is often perceived as a showcase of services, cloud subscriptions, and AI features that arrive via updates without asking too many questions.

Behind all of this is Microsoft's massive bet on Copilot and language modelsThe company has integrated AI into the system itself, the Edge browser, the Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), applications such as Paint, Photos, the Snipping Tool, and even accessibility features such as live captions or voice dictation.

The big problem isn't so much the technology as its forced implantationMany options are enabled by default, presented as mandatory in the configuration flow, and although there is a way to disable them, it is buried among menus, group policies, or registry keys that the average user does not usually touch.

uninstall copilot

Copilot in Windows 11: how to uninstall or disable it

Copilot is the centerpiece of Microsoft's AI strategy in Windows 11It's a language-based assistant that answers questions, generates content, and can even change system settings on demand. Depending on the region and the specific version of Windows, it can function as an integrated module or as a standalone application.

For Uninstall Copilot when it appears as a standalone applicationThe steps are:

  1. Open Windows settings with the Windows + I combination.
  2. Gonna Applications > Installed applications.
  3. Search for "Copilot" in the program list.
  4. Click on the three dots on the right and choose Uninstall.

By doing this The Copilot executable is removed from the systemJust like when you uninstall any other app. The assistant will no longer be available to all users of that device, although you can always reinstall it from the Microsoft Store if you change your mind.

Exclusive content - Click Here  ChatGPT and Apple Music: This is how OpenAI's new music integration works

In builds where Copilot is more integrated, classic uninstallation is not always available.In that case you have several alternatives: hide the button, apply group policies (in Pro/Enterprise/Education editions) or modify the registry to disable it completely, both in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Hide or disable Copilot from the taskbar

The simplest method is especially useful for remove the Copilot buttonIt doesn't remove it from the system, but it prevents you from accidentally opening it from the taskbar.

To do it on Windows 11 Home or Pro:

  1. Open Configuration (Windows + I).
  2. Enter Personalization > Taskbar.
  3. Locate the option Copilot within "Taskbar Elements".
  4. Turn off the corresponding switch.

With this The taskbar icon disappears, but the assistant remains active underneath.And in many versions, it can still be launched with shortcuts like Windows + C. It's an aesthetic solution, useful if you don't want to see it, but it doesn't block functionality.

copilot pc

Disable Copilot using group policies (Windows 11 Pro and higher)

If you use Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you have a more powerful tool.The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc). With it, you can effectively disable Copilot for the computer or for a group of users.

Basic steps for Disable Copilot using group policies:

  1. Press Windows + R, writes gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
  3. Open the directive Disable Windows Copilot.
  4. Select the option Enabled (Yes, it's confusing: you enable the policy that disables it).
  5. Apply the changes and restart the PC.

After the restart, Copilot will be locked at the system levelNot only does the button disappear, but internal calls and keyboard shortcuts are also disabled. This is the preferred approach in professional environments where corporate policy dictates that exposure to AI should be controlled.

Windows 11 Home and Windows 10: Disable Copilot from the registry

The Home editions of Windows 10 and 11 do not include the group policy editor.So, it's time to go the old way: the register. The change is simple, but it's best to handle it carefully so as not to break anything.

For Disable Copilot in Windows 11 Home using the registry:

  1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R and typing regedit.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
  3. If it doesn't exist, create a new key called Windows Copilot.
  4. Within that key, create value DWORD (32 bits) called TurnOffWindowsCopilot.
  5. Assign the number to that value 1.
  6. Close the registry editor and restart the team.

In Windows 10, the logic is similar when Copilot is present as an experimental feature.The TurnOffWindowsCopilot value acts as a master switch: 1 to disable, 0 to enable. After a restart, the system should ignore the feature, even if it arrives in future updates.

Remove Copilot with PowerShell when it doesn't appear in the app list

In some installations, Copilot does not appear in "Installed Applications"especially when it's packaged as a system component. In those cases, a radical way to remove it is by using PowerShell with administrator privileges.

El Key command to delete the Copilot package for all users it is:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *WindowsCopilot* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

To use it correctly:

  1. Seeks PowerShell In the Start menu, right-click and choose "Run as administrator".
  2. Paste the command above and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the process to finish and Restart the computer.
Exclusive content - Click Here  How to use Autoruns to remove programs that auto-start without permission

This method deletes the Copilot Appx package for all accounts present on the systemminimizing the chances of it reappearing unless there is an explicit reinstallation via update or Store.

RemoveWindowsAI

RemoveWindowsAI: Deep cleaning of Copilot and other AI in Windows 11

If you want to go one step further and Remove almost all traces of AI in Windows 11The community has created a very comprehensive open-source script called RemoveWindowsAI. Its goal is not only to remove Copilot, but also to dismantle a significant portion of the AI ​​layer that Microsoft adds to the system.

Among other things, RemoveWindowsAI allows:

  • Disable automatic reinstallation of AI components.
  • Remove Copilot from the system and the Edge browser.
  • Remove AI features in Paint, Notes, AI actions, and voice access.
  • Disable write data collection and features like Recall on Copilot+ PCs.

The recommended use of the script's graphical interface is as follows:

  1. Open PowerShell as administrator from the Start menu search.
  2. Run the command:
    & ([scriptblock]::Create((irm 'https://kutt.it/RWAI')))
  3. If your antivirus warns you, that's normal: the script modifies the registry and system components. Since it's open source, you can review it or add a temporary exception if you trust it.
  4. A window will open with a very simple interface, with grouped options and informative buttons.
  5. For a deep clean, it is often helpful to activate Disabled Copilot Policies, Remove Appx Packages, Remove Recall Feature y Remove AI Files, reading beforehand what each one does from the help buttons.
  6. Let the process finish and Restart the computer to apply the changes.

The strength of RemoveWindowsAI is not just that it deletes filesbut it also creates registry keys and policies to prevent Windows Update from pushing those features on you again in every cumulative update.

Copilot and AI in Notepad, Paint, and other system apps

Even the simplest Windows applications have been receiving AI features.Notepad, after the demise of WordPad, now integrates Copilot for rewriting text, changing the tone, or making suggestions. Paint has an image generator, the Snipping Tool performs OCR and extracts text from screenshots… all very flashy, but perhaps not what you want for everyday use.

For Disable Copilot in Notepad without using scripts:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Tap on the gear icon (settings).
  3. Turn off the switch called Copilot.

Turning this switch off disables AI features in Notepad. You won't see rewrite options or contextual suggestions while editing text. RemoveWindowsAI can also do this automatically, but it can easily be managed manually.

In the case of PaintThe image generation functions are integrated into the app itself. Microsoft doesn't yet offer a master switch to turn off only the AI, so the drastic way to avoid it is to uninstall Paint.

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Seeks Paint on the list.
  3. Select Uninstall.

La Snipping Tool incorporates OCR and text recognition intelligence for screenshots. There's no direct setting to turn off only the intelligent recognition, so the most extreme option would be to uninstall it from the same installed applications section, or simply not use the "Text Actions" it offers.

Copilot and AI in Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

The other big leg of Copilot is in the Microsoft 365 suiteHere, the assistant is embedded in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps to write content, create presentations, suggest answers, or analyze data. Fortunately, Microsoft has introduced a dedicated switch to enable or disable Copilot on a per-app basis.

Exclusive content - Click Here  Grammarly changes its name: It's now called Superhuman and introduces its assistant Go

In Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Windows:

  1. Open the application (for example, Excel).
  2. Go to File > Options > Copilot.
  3. Uncheck the box Enable Copilot.
  4. Press AcceptClose and reopen the application.

On Mac, the process is slightly different.:

  1. From Word, Excel or PowerPoint, enter the app menu.
  2. Go to Preferences > Editing and Proofreading Tools > Copilot.
  3. Remove the mark of Enable Copilot and restart the application.

This setting is independent per application and per device.If you want to disable Copilot in Word and Excel, you'll have to repeat the process in each program. And if you use multiple computers, you'll have to do it on all of them. The good news is that it affects all users who use that machine.

Outlook works with a different model based on an activation buttonIn modern versions (new Outlook on Windows, app for Mac, iOS, Android and Outlook Web) there is a "Turn on Copilot" switch:

  • On mobile (Android/iOS) and Mac: go to Quick Settings > Copilot and turn off the switch.
  • On the web and in the new Outlook for Windows: go to Settings > Copilot and turn it off.

copilot edge

Disable Copilot in Edge and reduce AI in the navigation experience

Edge has become the main showcase for CopilotThe assistant appears in the sidebar, suggests web page summaries, generates responses, and offers writing tools. If you want to avoid AI, Edge is no longer exactly the most discreet browser.

For Hide and disable Copilot in Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open Edge and tap on the three-dot menu.
  2. Enter Configuration.
  3. Go to Copilot and sidebaror type directly into the address bar edge://settings/appearance/copilotAndSidebar.
  4. Unmark Show the Copilot button in the toolbar.

Disabling this option hides the shortcut to the assistant.And in many builds, the associated sidebar settings are automatically disabled. You can't uninstall Copilot from Edge per se, but at least you'll prevent it from interfering with your browsing flow.

Privacy controls and connected experiences in Microsoft 365

If your version of Microsoft 365 does not yet display the box "Enable Copilot" In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you can use the privacy settings to disable several smart features, including Copilot.

On Windows, from any modern Office app:

  1. Go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
  2. Within connected experiences, disable Enable experiences that analyze content.
  3. Save, close, and reopen the application.

On Mac, the path is similar.:

  1. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, open Preferences > Personal settings > Privacy.
  2. En connected experiences, go to "Manage connected experiences".
  3. Uncheck the box Enable experiences that analyze content and restart the application.

In short, Even today it is still possible to redirect Windows towards a much more classic behavior.You can uninstall Copilot when it comes as an app, block it via policies or registration in other editions, tame the AI ​​in Microsoft 365 and Edge, and turn off many of the smart experiences that don't benefit you. All this without giving up, if you wish, those local AI features that you truly find useful, such as live captions or good voice dictation.