In recent weeks, users have noticed the emergence of an intriguing entry titled Ask Copilot within the context menu of Windows Explorer. This feature appears when right-clicking on various registered file types, including DOCX, TXT, PDF, and PNG. Microsoft aims to highlight the artificial intelligence capabilities embedded in Windows, encouraging users to explore this functionality.
Managing the Context Menu
For those who find this addition to the context menu more bothersome than beneficial, a straightforward solution exists to remove it via the registry. To begin, type “Registry Editor” into the taskbar search window and select the corresponding application.
Once inside the Registry Editor, navigate to the folder path: HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionShell Extensions. Here, you will need to locate the key labeled Blocked. If this key is absent, you can create it by right-clicking on Shell Extensions, selecting New, and then Key. Name this new key “Blocked.”
Next, right-click on Blocked, select New string, and name it {CB3B0003-8088-4EDE-8769-8B354AB2FF8C}. Double-click on this new string and input “Ask Copilot” as its value. After closing the window with OK, the next time you access Explorer or right-click on a file, the Ask Copilot option should no longer be visible.
Alternatively, if you prefer to remove Copilot entirely from your system, this can be accomplished through the Settings menu. Access Settings via the Start menu, then navigate to Apps followed by Installed apps. In the list that appears, locate Copilot and uninstall it by clicking on the three dots next to it.
By the way: For users operating on Windows 11 Home, it’s worth noting that many features available in the Pro version are not accessible. However, an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro is currently offered at a substantial discount of 64% in the PCWorld Software Store.
