If you’ve recently powered up your Windows 11 device and noticed the Copilot icon nestled in various locations—be it the taskbar, within Edge, or even in Notepad—rest assured, you’re not imagining things. Microsoft has seamlessly integrated its AI assistant into numerous facets of the operating system, leaving some users feeling overwhelmed. A quick glance at Reddit reveals a flurry of inquiries from users eager to remove Copilot from their Windows 11 laptops. In response, a comprehensive guide has emerged, detailing a variety of methods to completely disable Copilot in Windows 11. This includes uninstalling the app, removing it from Edge and Notepad, preventing its appearance in Windows Search, stopping it from reinstalling post-updates, and even remapping the physical Copilot key found on newer laptops. Each method has been rigorously tested on Windows 11 24H2, with clear indications of compatibility for Home versus Pro editions.
Quick Answer
On Windows 11 24H2, Copilot is now a standalone application. To remove it, navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, search for Copilot, click the three dots, and select Uninstall. This action will eliminate the taskbar icon, the File Explorer context menu entry, and the main app itself. To further remove Copilot from Edge, access Edge Settings > Appearance > Copilot and Sidebar and disable the Copilot button. To thwart any reinstallation attempts, disable SilentInstalledAppsEnabled in the Registry under ContentDeliveryManager and remove Copilot from startup in Task Manager.
All steps tested on Windows 11 24H2, Build 26100, February 2026.
On Windows 11 Home? Methods 1, 2, 4, and 5 are applicable across all editions. Method 3 (Group Policy) is exclusive to Pro, Enterprise, or Education versions. Each section below indicates compatibility based on the edition.
What Is Copilot and Its Ubiquity?
Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT models, has taken the place of Cortana since its introduction in 2023. It has evolved from a simple chatbot sidebar to a deeply embedded feature throughout the operating system. In the latest Windows 11 builds, Copilot can be found in at least seven different locations: the taskbar, Windows Search, Microsoft Edge sidebar, Notepad, the right-click context menu in File Explorer, the Photos app, and the Paint app. Additionally, newer laptops come equipped with a dedicated physical Copilot key on the keyboard.
This pervasive presence can feel overwhelming, as Microsoft regards Copilot as a “core experience” rather than a mere optional feature. Uninstalling the main app does not eliminate Copilot from Edge, Notepad, or Search, and Windows Update can silently reinstall it without user consent. Thus, a layered approach to removal is essential, which will be elaborated upon in the following sections.
Noteworthy Change: With the Windows 11 24H2 update (late 2024), Microsoft transitioned Copilot from a system component to a standard app, simplifying the removal process compared to the previous 23H2 version where it was integrated into the shell and could not be uninstalled on Home editions.
Method 1: Uninstall the Copilot App
Applicable to: Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education (24H2 and newer)
The initial step is to uninstall the Copilot app. In 24H2 builds, Copilot is categorized as a regular app and can be removed like any other program.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Apps, then Installed apps.
- In the search bar, type Copilot.
- Locate Copilot (or Microsoft Copilot) in the list, click the three dots on the right.
- Select Uninstall and confirm your choice.
This action will remove the Copilot app from your taskbar, eliminate the “Ask Copilot” option from the right-click context menu in File Explorer, and delete the main Copilot chatbot interface. However, it will not remove Copilot from Edge, Notepad, or Windows Search, which require additional steps outlined below.
Note: You may encounter an app named Microsoft 365 Copilot in your apps list. This is a different application that replaced the old Office hub. It shares the Copilot branding but is not the AI chatbot. Only uninstall it if you do not use it for accessing Word, Excel, or other Office documents.
Method 2: Hide Copilot from the Taskbar
Applicable to: All editions
If you prefer to simply hide the Copilot icon from your taskbar without fully uninstalling it, this can be accomplished in mere seconds.
- Right-click on the Copilot icon on your Windows 11 Taskbar.
- Select “Unpin from the Taskbar.”
This action will hide the icon but will not disable Copilot. The Win + C keyboard shortcut may still activate it, and it remains functional in Edge and other applications. Consider this a cosmetic fix.
Method 3: Disable Copilot via Group Policy Editor
Applicable to: Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education only
Important: Microsoft has designated the “Turn off Windows Copilot” Group Policy as legacy and subject to near-term deprecation. In Windows 11 24H2, this setting primarily removes the Copilot taskbar button and disables the Win + C shortcut. However, it does not prevent Copilot from being launched via Windows Search, the Start menu, or Edge. Recent cumulative updates may ignore this policy on Pro editions, only respecting it on Enterprise and Education versions. Microsoft now recommends using app uninstallation (Method 1) combined with PowerShell removal (Method 5) as the primary approach. The Group Policy method serves as a supplementary layer, not a standalone solution.
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. - Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
- Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot in the right panel.
- Select Enabled and click Apply, then OK.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run
gpupdate /force, or simply restart your PC.
If the “Windows Copilot” folder is absent under Windows Components, your Group Policy templates may require updating. This situation can occur on older 23H2 installations upgraded to 24H2.
For enterprise environments seeking durable, long-term blocking, Microsoft now recommends AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies to prevent the Copilot package from executing or installing. These methods are more robust than the legacy Group Policy but necessitate IT administrative expertise for configuration.
Method 4: Remove Copilot for All Users via PowerShell
Applicable to: All editions (requires Administrator privileges)
If your PC hosts multiple user accounts and you wish to remove Copilot for everyone simultaneously, PowerShell provides a streamlined solution.
- Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Execute the following command to uninstall Copilot for the current user:
Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.Copilot" | Remove-AppxPackage- To remove Copilot for all users on the machine:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name "Microsoft.Copilot" | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers- To prevent Copilot from being provisioned for new user accounts created in the future:
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "Copilot"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online- Restart your PC.
The first command handles your own account. The second removes it from every existing account. The third prevents Windows from automatically installing Copilot when a new user profile is created. Together, these commands provide the most thorough removal possible without altering the registry.
How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Edge
Applicable to: All editions
Uninstalling the Copilot app does not affect Edge. The Copilot icon may still linger in the Edge toolbar, sidebar, and the right-click “Ask Copilot” option when selecting text on web pages. Here’s how to remove it entirely.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Navigate to Appearance > Copilot and Sidebar (or type
edge://settings/appearance/copilotAndSidebarin the address bar).
- Click on the Copilot option under “App-specific settings” and turn off the “Show Copilot button on the toolbar.”
After making these adjustments, the Copilot icon, sidebar, writing assistant, and in-page suggestions will vanish from Edge. A browser restart may be necessary for the changes to take effect.
Note: Microsoft is currently phasing out the Edge sidebar app list in favor of deeper Copilot integration, so the exact settings path may vary slightly depending on your Edge version. Nevertheless, the core Copilot toggles will remain within the Appearance section.
How to Disable Copilot in Notepad
Applicable to: All editions
With the integration of Copilot into Notepad in 2025, users now encounter a Copilot icon that offers to generate, rewrite, and summarize text. Fortunately, disabling this feature is straightforward.
- Open Notepad.
- Click the Settings icon (gear) in the top-right corner.
- Under AI Features, locate the Copilot toggle and switch it off.
The Copilot logo will disappear from Notepad immediately. This setting is specific to the app and does not impact Copilot’s functionality in other applications.
How to Remove Copilot from Windows Search
Applicable to: All editions (registry edit)
Even after uninstalling the Copilot app, its logo and AI-powered suggestions may still appear in the Windows Search bar. To eliminate this, a registry edit is required.
- Open Registry Editor (regedit).
- Navigate to:
HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer. - If the Explorer key is absent under Windows, create it.
- Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions and set it to 1.
- Restart your PC.
This action will disable web suggestions, Bing-powered results, and Copilot suggestions that appear in the Search UI, while local file and app searches will continue to function normally.
How to Disable Copilot in Paint
Applicable to: All editions
For Paint, AI features such as Cocreator and generative fill can be disabled through registry policies. Create the following DWORD values and set them to 1 under HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesPaint:
- DisableCocreator
- DisableGenerativeFill
Ensure to create the Paint key if it does not exist. Restart your PC after implementing these changes.
How to Remap the Copilot Key on Your Keyboard
Applicable to: All editions (only affects devices with a physical Copilot key)
Many laptops manufactured in 2024 and 2025 feature a physical Copilot key, typically located where the right Ctrl or Menu key used to reside. This key sends the shortcut Win + Shift + F23 when pressed. If you have disabled Copilot, you may wish to remap this key to a more useful function.
Option 1: Built-in Windows Settings (Limited to MSIX Apps)
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Personalization > Text input.
- Look for the Customize Copilot key on the keyboard.
- Select from the available options: Search, Custom (to launch a specific MSIX-packaged app), or leave it set to Copilot.
Choosing Custom allows you to select any installed MSIX-signed app from the list, including Microsoft Store apps like Calculator, Notepad, or third-party Store apps. However, this method cannot launch traditional .exe programs—only MSIX-packaged apps are permissible due to Microsoft’s security protocols.
Option 2: Microsoft PowerToys (Full Customization)
For comprehensive remapping, including reassigning the Copilot key back to Ctrl or any custom shortcut:
- Download and install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or github.com/microsoft/PowerToys.
- Open PowerToys and navigate to Keyboard Manager.
- Select Remap a shortcut (not “Remap a key” since the Copilot key sends a shortcut, not a single keypress).
- Set the shortcut Win + Shift + F23 as the input and map it to your desired output (e.g., Right Ctrl or a custom app launch shortcut).
- Click OK and test the key.
PowerToys is the recommended solution for users wishing to restore the Copilot key’s functionality to Ctrl, a common request from those who relied on the right Ctrl key for keyboard shortcuts.
Note: Some users have reported that PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager may require toggling off and on after Windows updates. If the remap ceases to function, simply reopen PowerToys and re-enable Keyboard Manager.
How to Stop Copilot from Reinstalling After Windows Update
Applicable to: All editions
This crucial step is often overlooked in guides, yet it explains why users frequently report that “Copilot returned after I removed it.” Microsoft employs silent app installations to reintroduce Copilot following updates.
Step 1: Disable Silent App Installs
- Open Registry Editor (regedit).
- Navigate to:
HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionContentDeliveryManager. - Locate the value SilentInstalledAppsEnabled. Double-click it and change its value to 0.
- If it does not exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named
SilentInstalledAppsEnabledand set it to 0. - Restart your PC.
This adjustment instructs Windows to cease silent installations of apps, including Copilot, without user consent. It also prevents other suggested apps from appearing on your Start menu.
Step 2: Set the TurnOffWindowsCopilot Registry Value (Supplementary)
While this policy is deprecated and has limited effectiveness on 24H2 as a standalone measure, it still provides an additional layer of protection when combined with other steps.
If you haven’t already done this in Method 4, create the TurnOffWindowsCopilot DWORD with a value of 1 at HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsCopilot.
Step 3: Disable Copilot from Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Startup apps tab.
- Look for Copilot. If it appears, select it and click Disable.
By completing all three steps, Copilot should not reappear after most Windows updates. However, significant feature updates (like a future 25H2) could potentially re-provision the app. After any major Windows update, it is advisable to check Settings > Apps > Installed apps to ensure Copilot has not returned.
What You Lose When You Disable Copilot
Before proceeding with the removal, it’s important to understand what features you will forfeit. Disabling Copilot does not impact core Windows functionality, file management, or system stability. However, you will lose:
- The AI chatbot for querying directly from the desktop.
- The “Ask Copilot” option in File Explorer’s right-click menu, which can analyze files and suggest actions.
- AI writing assistance in Notepad (generate, rewrite, summarize).
- Copilot-powered suggestions in Windows Search.
- The ability to utilize the physical Copilot key on newer laptops (unless remapped).
- AI editing tools in Photos and Paint if those features are disabled separately.
- The “Share with Copilot” option when hovering over taskbar app windows.
If you later decide to reinstate any of these features, you can reverse each step in this guide. Simply reset the registry values to 0, re-enable SilentInstalledAppsEnabled, and reinstall Copilot from the Microsoft Store.
Comparison Table: Which Method Does What
| Method | Edition | What It Disables | Prevents Reinstall? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall App (Settings) | All (24H2+) | Taskbar, File Explorer context menu, main app, Copilot Vision/Voice | No |
| Hide from Taskbar | All | Taskbar icon only | No |
| Group Policy (Legacy) | Pro/Enterprise/Education | Taskbar button, Win+C shortcut (limited on 24H2) | Partially |
| Registry TurnOffWindowsCopilot | All | Same as Group Policy (limited on 24H2) | Partially |
| PowerShell Removal | All | App for current/all users + future provisioning | Yes (app-level) |
| Edge Settings | All | Edge toolbar, sidebar, writing assistant, Copilot Mode | No |
| Notepad Settings | All | Notepad AI features | No |
| Search Registry | All | Search suggestions, Copilot logo in Search | Yes |
| SilentInstalledApps Registry | All | Silent reinstallation of Copilot and other apps | Yes |
| Paint Registry | All | Cocreator, Generative Fill in Paint | Yes |
For the most thorough removal, combine: Uninstall App (Method 1) + PowerShell removal for all users (Method 5) + SilentInstalledApps disabled + Edge settings + Notepad settings + Search registry + Startup disabled in Task Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I disable Copilot in Windows 11? Open Settings, navigate to Apps, then Installed apps. Search for Copilot, click the three dots, and select Uninstall. Subsequently, disable Copilot in Edge, Notepad, and Windows Search using the steps outlined in this guide. Additionally, disable SilentInstalledAppsEnabled in the Registry to prevent reinstallation.
Can I disable Copilot on Windows 11 Home? Yes. You can uninstall the Copilot app from Settings, utilize PowerShell to remove it for all users, and adjust registry values to block reinstallation. Group Policy is unavailable on Home edition, but the Registry method achieves a similar outcome.
Why does Copilot keep returning after I uninstall it? Windows Update and the SilentInstalledAppsEnabled feature can automatically reinstall Copilot. Navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionContentDeliveryManager in the Registry and set SilentInstalledAppsEnabled to 0. Also, check the Task Manager’s Startup tab and disable any Copilot entries.
Does disabling Copilot disrupt anything in Windows 11? No. Core system functions, file management, and all installed programs will continue to operate normally. You will only lose AI-specific features such as the chatbot, writing assistance in Notepad, and AI suggestions in Search and File Explorer.
How do I disable Copilot in Microsoft Edge? Access Edge Settings, then navigate to Appearance, followed by Copilot and Sidebar. Disable the Copilot toolbar button and turn off all Copilot toggles under App-specific settings. Additionally, disable the option to use Copilot for writing on the web under Languages, and turn off Copilot Mode under AI innovations if available.
Can I remap the physical Copilot key on my laptop? Yes. Go to Settings, then Personalization, followed by Text input, and utilize the Customize Copilot key on the keyboard dropdown. You can set it to launch Search or a custom MSIX app. For full remapping back to Ctrl or any shortcut, employ Microsoft PowerToys’ Remap a Shortcut feature, targeting the Win + Shift + F23 shortcut.
Is there a single button to disable all AI features in Windows 11? No. Microsoft does not provide a global AI opt-out switch. Copilot must be disabled separately across the system, Edge, Notepad, Search, Photos, and Paint. This guide addresses each location individually.
Will future Windows updates reactivate Copilot after I disable it? Monthly cumulative updates typically do not reinstall Copilot if you have disabled SilentInstalledAppsEnabled and removed the provisioned package via PowerShell. However, major feature updates could potentially re-provision the app. It’s advisable to verify your installed apps after any major update.
How do I disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel? Open the app, navigate to File, then Options, followed by Copilot, and uncheck the Enable Copilot checkbox. Repeat this process for each Microsoft 365 app individually. On Mac, check Preferences, then Copilot or Authoring and Proofing Tools.
Does the “Turn off Windows Copilot” Group Policy still function? Microsoft has classified this policy as legacy and subject to deprecation. In Windows 11 24H2, it primarily hides the taskbar button and blocks the Win + C shortcut, but does not fully prevent access to Copilot through Search, Start menu, or Edge. Utilize app uninstallation and PowerShell removal as the primary methods instead.
