Copilot in Windows Archives

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Microsoft Adds Copilot AI to Windows 11 File Explorer Amid Privacy Debates

Microsoft is enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities in Windows 11 by potentially integrating its Copilot AI into File Explorer, as indicated by recent code discoveries in insider preview builds. This integration may introduce a new Copilot button or sidebar, allowing users to engage with AI for contextual queries about files, such as summarizing documents or organizing folders. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy and system performance, as the AI could access local files. The integration may also include chat capabilities, prompting fears of data exposure. Microsoft has assured users that Copilot prioritizes local processing and operates with consent. However, critics worry about the potential for intrusive AI suggestions and the possibility of forced updates. The integration is expected to leverage Microsoft's agentic AI framework and may require advanced hardware for optimal performance. Financial incentives, such as Copilot Pro subscriptions, are also a factor in this strategic push. User feedback will be crucial in determining the success of this integration, with mixed reactions from the tech community regarding privacy and control.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

How to remove Copilot AI from Windows 11 today

Microsoft's Copilot AI has received mixed reviews from users, with many preferring a more reliable operating system over new AI features. Users have reported inaccuracies in Copilot's responses and raised concerns about privacy and resource consumption. To disable or remove Copilot in Windows 10 and 11, users can access Task Manager, navigate to Startup apps, and disable Copilot. Additionally, tools like "Remove Windows AI" and "Flyoobe" can help manage AI components, with the latter allowing users to disable specific AI settings after installation.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Evicting Copilot: The Insider’s Guide to Purging AI from Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows 11 has introduced Copilot, an AI assistant aimed at enhancing productivity, but it has faced criticism from users concerned about privacy and resource usage. Copilot offers features like document summarization and image generation, but some users have labeled it an unwelcome presence. During the March 2025 Patch Tuesday, some users experienced Copilot being inadvertently uninstalled. Privacy concerns and performance issues have led many to seek ways to disable or remove Copilot, with methods including hiding the Copilot button, using Group Policy Editor, editing the Windows Registry, and uninstalling the app through Settings or PowerShell commands. In corporate environments, IT administrators can disable Copilot using Intune or Group Policy. Users have reported that Windows updates can reinstall Copilot, prompting them to disable automatic updates or block related domains. Recent user sentiment indicates growing fatigue with AI features, and there is potential for Microsoft to introduce easier opt-out options in future updates.

Winsage

November 5, 2025

Microsoft tests replacing Search with Copilot in Windows 11

Microsoft has integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into Windows, with the "Ask Copilot anything" search box now available in the latest Windows Insider Dev and Beta builds, though it is off by default. Users can activate it to receive a blend of traditional search results and AI interactions. The Copilot search box features a glasses icon for visual inquiries and a microphone icon for voice interactions. To enable the feature, users must be on Windows Insider build 26220.7051 or higher and use a utility called ViveTool to unlock it. The Copilot box can be toggled on in the Taskbar settings after enabling it.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

KB5067115 Brings Ask Copilot in Windows 11 Taskbar with Instant AI Search

Microsoft is integrating its Copilot feature into Windows 11 as a central element, moving it from a sidebar experiment to a taskbar shortcut called "Ask Copilot" in Insider Preview Build 26220.7051. This feature allows users to search for applications, files, and settings or interact with Copilot through voice or text commands. The results adjust dynamically based on user input and suggestions from Copilot. Users can opt-in to use this feature, which complements the traditional Windows Search. To enable it, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot, and there is an option for automatic launch upon sign-in. Ask Copilot uses existing Windows APIs and does not access personal files unless requested. This update also includes a Full Screen Experience for handheld devices and a Shared Audio Preview.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Copilot on Windows 11 has a new “Home” UI and it feels like a Start menu for AI

Copilot on Windows 11 is being updated with a new "Home" tab that replaces the traditional chat-first interface. This Home UI serves as a central hub for accessing applications and files, resembling the Start menu. Users can toggle between the Home tab and the previous chat-focused interface. The Home tab features four dynamic cards that provide quick access to recently used files, but users must enable this feature in their settings. The "Jump back into your files" card pulls recent files from File Explorer’s Quick Access tab, offering options like Open, Attach to prompt, and Summarise. The "Attach to prompt" option allows users to drop files into the message compose box for analysis by Copilot. Other cards include access to previous conversations and a feature for document or code editing similar to ChatGPT’s Canvas. The "Get guided help with your apps" card displays recently used applications and initiates a Vision session for personalized assistance. Future updates are expected to introduce a ChatGPT-powered Agent that can open a terminal and browser within a Linux shell on an Azure cloud virtual machine, enabling automation of tasks. Microsoft aims to enhance Copilot's utility for managing documents and file searches on PCs.

Winsage

September 3, 2025

How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Microsoft's Copilot feature in Windows 11 is an AI-driven assistant designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to ask questions, request document summaries, generate text, and conduct web searches through Bing AI. Users can disable Copilot for various reasons, including privacy concerns, performance optimization, user preference for a traditional desktop experience, and compliance requirements in corporate settings. To disable Copilot, users can follow different methods based on their Windows version: 1. Remove Copilot from Taskbar: - Open Settings from the Start menu. - Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar. - Toggle off Copilot (preview). 2. Disable Copilot via Group Policy (Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise): - Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. - Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot. - Double-click on "Turn off Windows Copilot," select Enabled, and click Apply and OK. 3. Disable Copilot via Registry Editor (Windows 11 Home): - Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsCopilot. - Create the WindowsCopilot folder if absent, then create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" and set its value data to 1. - Restart the computer. Users may face challenges such as Copilot reappearing after updates or the shortcut still functioning. IT administrators can enforce Group Policy changes across all systems to ensure Copilot remains disabled. Disabling Copilot does not affect access to AI capabilities in other applications like Bing AI in Microsoft Edge.

Winsage

September 1, 2025

How to Turn Off Copilot: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Windows, Microsoft 365, and Edge

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated into Windows and Microsoft applications, designed to assist with tasks like text generation and document summarization. Users may want to disable it due to concerns about privacy, system performance, user control, and compliance in business environments. To disable Copilot in Windows: 1. Taskbar Settings: Right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, scroll to Taskbar items, and toggle Copilot to Off. 2. Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise): Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components, locate Copilot settings, double-click Turn off Copilot, select Enabled, and apply. 3. Registry Editor (Home Edition): Press Windows + R, type regedit, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a new key named Copilot, add a DWORD value named TurnOffCopilot set to 1, and restart. 4. Firewall Blocking: Open Windows Security, navigate to Firewall & Network Protection, create a New Outbound Rule to block Copilot services. 5. Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, locate the Copilot process, right-click, and select End Task for a temporary solution. To disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications: - For Word, Excel, PowerPoint: Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to Copilot settings, and uncheck Enable Copilot. - For Outlook: Click File > Options > General, locate AI Features, and toggle Turn off Copilot. - For privacy settings: Open File > Account > Manage Settings and turn off Connected Experiences. To remove Copilot from Microsoft Edge: - Open Edge, navigate to Settings > Sidebar, toggle off Copilot, and disable additional AI features under Privacy & Services. To prevent Copilot from reinstalling after updates: - Pause updates in Windows Update, verify settings post-update, or use Group Policy or Intune for multiple devices. Disabling Copilot does not negatively impact system performance and can potentially improve speed by reducing memory and CPU usage. Businesses can enforce settings across multiple devices using Group Policy or Intune.

Winsage

August 28, 2025

A senior Microsoft exec says future Windows versions will offer more interactive, ‘multimodal’ experiences

A senior Microsoft executive, Pavan Davuluri, indicated that future versions of Windows, potentially Windows 12, will feature a more "multimodal" experience utilizing on-device AI capabilities. He highlighted the integration of features like Copilot in Windows and M365 Copilot to enhance user interaction, particularly through voice input and natural language processing. Davuluri predicted that computing will become more ambient and pervasive, with voice interaction becoming more prominent. While speculation about Windows 12 grows, Microsoft is set to release a significant update for Windows 11, known as 25H2, later this year, as Windows 11 has only recently surpassed Windows 10 in global user count.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Microsoft teases the future of Windows: ‘The computer will be able to see what we see, hear what we hear, and we can talk to it’

David Weston, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for OS Security, envisions a future version of Windows by 2030 that will feature more interactive and intuitive user engagement through multimodal interactions. He suggests that computers will be able to "see what we see" and "hear what we hear," moving away from traditional input methods like mousing and typing. AI is expected to play a significant role in this transformation, taking over mundane tasks and allowing users to focus on more creative work. Speculation exists about a potential new version of Windows, possibly branded as Windows AI or Windows Copilot, which would incorporate advanced AI capabilities. Recent developments indicate the introduction of AI agents within the Windows 11 taskbar, signaling a shift towards an AI-centric experience. While advancements in voice recognition technology may enhance the Windows experience, the timeline for fully implementing these changes remains uncertain.