Steps to Remove Copilot AI from Windows 11

Microsoft has been integrating its Copilot AI into Windows 11, claiming it to be a revolutionary addition to the operating system. However, many users prefer a streamlined OS without these additional AI features, hoping Microsoft would focus on improving the existing system instead.

Why Consider Disabling Copilot?

Copilot AI can occasionally provide inaccurate information and, if not managed properly, might access personal data or consume system resources excessively. If these issues are a concern, you might want to prevent Copilot from running on your system.

Disabling Copilot from Startup

The Copilot app typically starts with Windows, using memory resources right away. To stop this, access the Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar. Then, navigate to the Startup tab, find Copilot, and click Disable.

You can also achieve this by going to Settings > Apps > Startup and switching off Copilot. Note that simply closing the Copilot window doesn’t stop it from running; you need to right-click the tray icon and select Exit to close it completely.

Uninstalling Copilot from Windows

For total removal, go to Settings, choose Apps, and click on Installed Apps. Find Copilot, click the three-dot menu, and uninstall it. Alternatively, use the Start menu to locate the app, right-click, and select Uninstall.

Despite uninstalling, a future Windows Update might reinstall Copilot. To avoid this, additional steps are required.

Blocking Copilot with Group Policy

To prevent future installations via Windows Update, utilize Group Policy. Open Run (Win+R), type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot and enable 'Turn off Windows Copilot.'

Registry Modifications for Windows 11 Home

Windows 11 Home lacks Group Policy Editor, so you’ll need to edit the Registry. Open Run, type regedit, and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows. Create a new key named WindowsCopilot. Inside it, create a DWORD value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot and set its value to 1.

Complete Removal of AI Components

Even after uninstalling Copilot, some AI components remain. These can be removed with scripts from GitHub, like one by zoicware, which works through PowerShell, though caution is advised.

You might also use a special tool for a clean Windows 11 installation, effectively managing AI settings. Before proceeding, ensure to create a system restore point.