How to Get Rid of AI Features in Windows 11?

In our earlier article, we have explained how Microsoft is forcing AI in Windows 11 without worrying about user experience. Features like Windows Copilot, per-app AI tools (Notepad rewrite, Paint Cocreator, File Explorer AI actions, etc.), and Edge’s Copilot sidebar can feel intrusive. This is the situation with the standard Windows PCs purchased from Dell, HP and other manufacturers and not about the dedicated Copilot+PCs. The good news is that most of these AI features can be disabled either from settings or using third-party tools, and most methods work on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions.

Note: Create a system restore point and backup your registry entries before making any changes in Registry Editor.

1. Uninstall Windows Copilot App

Microsoft made Copilot a normal uninstallable app instead of an in-built system component.

• Right-click on the Start menu and select “Settings” option.
• Navigate to “Apps > Installed apps” section.
• Search for “Copilot” and click the “More options” (three-dots icon) against Copilot app.
• Select “Uninstall” option and then confirm your action by pressing “Uninstall” again.

If you do not want to uninstall the app, simply right-click on the taskbar icon and select “Unpin from taskbar” option. This will remove the Copilot icon from your taskbar and you can open the app whenever needed from Start menu list or using Windows Search.

Note: After uninstalling, you can reinstall the Copilot app from Microsoft Store if needed.

1.1. Remove Copilot Features Using Registry Editor

It is also possible to disable all Copilot features in Windows 11 by tweaking registry entries.

• Press Windows Logo + R keys to open Run dialog box.
• Type regedit in the box and press “OK” box.
• Paste the following path in the address bar and press enter to navigate to that location.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

• Right-click on the Windows key and select “New > Key” option.

• Name the key as WindowsCopilot.
• Inside the new key, right-click and select “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value”.

• Name it as TurnOffWindowsCopilot and double-click on it.
• Set the “Value data” as 1 and press “OK” button.
• Restart your system and check all Copilot features are disabled in your PC.

2.2. Using Local Group Policy Editor

On Windows 11 Pro, Student and Enterprise editions, you can change the local policy to disable all Copilot features. This works similar to editing Registry Editor in Windows Home edition as explained above.

• Open Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc and press enter.
• Navigate to “User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot” section.
• Double click on the “Turn off Windows Copilot” policy.

• Select “Enabled” option and click “Apply” button.

3. Remove Ask Copilot Icon from Windows Search Box

The Copilot icon in Windows Search is annoying as it will open the website if you have mistakenly clicked on it. Though there are no settings to remove that, try the following Registry trick.

• Open Registry Editor app and navigate to the following location.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

• Right-click on the empty area and select “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.
• Rename the value as SearchboxCopilotEnabled. By default, the value will be set as 0 which is to disable the Copilot feature in Search.
• Restart your system and check if this works.

4. Disable Copilot in Microsoft Edge

If you are frustrated with the Copilot icon on Edge sidebar.

• Open Edge and go to “edge://settings/appearance/copilotAndSidebar” page.
• Select “Copilot” option and turn off “Show Copilot button on the toolbar” option.

It is also possible to disable the “Ask Copilot” menu items in Edge.

5. Disable Copilot in Notepad

Copilot in Notepad allows to rewrite and summarize the content. However, you need a premium subscription to use the Copilot features.

• Open Notepad and click the gear icon on top-right.
• Scroll down to bottom and find “AI Features” section.
• Turn off “Copilot” option.

This will remove the Copilot icon from Notepad.

Note: Paint app has no toggle to turn off Copilot. However, Image Creator does nothing if you are signed out of Microsoft account or have uninstalled the main Copilot app.

6. Remove “AI actions” from File Explorer Context Menu

Microsoft also added AI features in File Explorer and desktop right-click context menus. It includes AI Actions and OneDrive integrated stuffs like Summarize/Create an FAQ/Ask a Question (these things will open OneDrive website). Though you can disable the suggested actions by going to “Settings > Apps > Action”, there are no default settings to remove the primary “AI actions” menu item. You need to use third-party apps like ExplorerPatcher to edit the right-click menu and remove unnecessary items.

7. Recall (Copilot+ PCs only)

Recall is turned off by default and requires explicit opt-in with Microsoft account login. To make sure it stays off:

• Go to “Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots” and turn “Save snapshots” option off.
• Delete any existing snapshots while you’re there.
• Go to “Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features” and uncheck “Recall” option.
• Also, uninstall AI components under “Settings > System > AI components” section.

8. Nuclear Option – Strip Everything (Advanced)

If you want to purge every trace (including future-proofing against new features), community scripts can help. For example, RemoveWindowsAI tool from GitHub will uninstall Copilot, Recall components, Paint Image Creator, AI Actions in File Explorer, Copilot in Search, etc. by disabling corresponding registry keys.

However, use such tools at your own risk and only from trusted sources.

9. Disable Copilot in Office Apps

Using AI features in Office apps need a premium Copilot subscription. So, the Copilot icon will be automatically removed in Word and Excel when you do not have a license. However, Outlook will show the icon which you can turn it off under “App Settings > Copilot > Preferences” section. This will just disable the icon but will not remove it from the app like Word or Excel. 

Note: On Word, PowerPoint and Excel, you can customize the ribbon and remove the Copilot icon even if you have a premium subscription.

Final Words

Most AI features require a Microsoft account and an internet connection, so staying signed out or using a local account is another easy privacy win. Otherwise, uninstall the Copilot app and go through various steps as explained above. Though these options may work at this point, Microsoft continuously update Windows to push the AI in one or another way.