Microsoft Copilot has become one of the most talked-about features in Windows 11. While some users love its AI-powered assistance, others find it unnecessary, distracting, or even performance-draining. If you fall into the latter group, you may be wondering how to delete Copilot in Windows 11 completely — or at least disable it so it no longer appears in your taskbar or system.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through every method available — from the safest ways to disable or hide Copilot to advanced options for uninstalling or removing it entirely from your system.
What Is Copilot in Windows 11?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated into Windows 11 to help you with tasks like summarizing text, changing system settings, or generating content. Think of it as a fusion of Cortana and ChatGPT, but built directly into the operating system.
It appears as a small Copilot icon on the taskbar, which opens a sidebar where you can chat or ask commands.
However, not everyone wants an AI tool running in the background — and some users prefer to keep their PC lean and distraction-free. That’s where disabling or deleting Copilot comes in.
Why You Might Want to Remove or Disable Copilot
There are several valid reasons you might want to turn off or delete Copilot:
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🧠 Privacy concerns — Some users are uncomfortable with AI systems accessing local or cloud data.
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⚙️ Performance impact — Although minimal, background services may slow down older PCs.
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🧩 Unnecessary for certain users — Many prefer traditional shortcuts and menus.
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🎯 Clutter-free workspace — Removing the icon declutters your taskbar.
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🔒 Corporate/managed PCs — Admins may disable it for compliance or security policies.
Whatever your reason, there’s a method here that fits your comfort level.
Before You Begin: Important Notes
Before proceeding, keep the following in mind:
| Note | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔹 Admin rights required | You’ll need administrator access for most methods. |
| 🔹 Copilot version | Available in Windows 11 23H2 and newer builds. |
| 🔹 Backup recommended | Always back up your system or registry before making changes. |
| 🔹 Updates may restore Copilot | Major Windows updates could re-enable Copilot. |
How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11 (Simple Method)
This is the easiest and safest method to turn off Copilot without uninstalling it.
Step-by-Step:
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Right-click an empty area on your taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
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Scroll down to Copilot (preview).
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Toggle the switch off.
✅ Result: The Copilot icon disappears from your taskbar, and the feature won’t open accidentally.
💡 Tip: This method only hides the Copilot icon. The feature remains installed in the background.
How to Remove the Copilot Button from the Taskbar
If you only want to hide the button but keep the service active, follow this quick method:
Steps:
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Right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings.
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Locate Copilot (preview).
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Turn the toggle Off.
That’s it — the button is gone, giving your taskbar a cleaner look.
How to Turn Off Copilot Using Group Policy Editor (Pro & Enterprise)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise, the Group Policy Editor offers a more permanent way to disable Copilot.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot.
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Select Enabled, then click Apply → OK.
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Restart your computer.
✅ Result: Copilot is fully disabled system-wide. Even updates won’t automatically re-enable it.
How to Disable Copilot via Registry Editor (All Editions)
If you’re on Windows 11 Home, you can achieve the same effect through the Registry Editor.
Warning ⚠️
Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Follow these steps carefully or create a system restore point first.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to the following key:
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Right-click Windows, select New → Key, and name it WindowsCopilot.
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Inside that key, right-click the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
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Name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot.
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Double-click it and set Value data to 1.
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Click OK and restart your PC.
✅ Result: Copilot is disabled for your account and hidden from your system.
How to Delete or Uninstall Copilot via PowerShell (Advanced)
If you want to completely remove Copilot — not just hide or disable it — PowerShell is your best option.
This method is for advanced users who understand system commands.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Press Start, search PowerShell, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
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Type or paste the following command:
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Press Enter.
Wait for the process to complete.
Optional (for all users):
To remove it for all users:
✅ Result: Copilot is uninstalled from your system.
⚠️ Note: Future Windows updates may reinstall Copilot automatically. To prevent that, see the next section.
How to Block Copilot Updates from Returning
After uninstalling or disabling Copilot, Windows updates might try to reinstall it. You can prevent this in two ways:
Option 1: Pause Updates Temporarily
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Go to Settings → Windows Update → Pause updates.
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Select a time frame (e.g., 5 weeks).
Option 2: Use Group Policy (Permanent)
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Open gpedit.msc.
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Navigate to:
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Enable Do not include drivers with Windows Updates and Defer feature updates.
This helps prevent reinstallation of AI components like Copilot.
Alternative: Use Third-Party Tools to Disable Copilot
Several safe third-party utilities can help you toggle Copilot off without diving into Registry or PowerShell.
| Tool | Description | Free? |
|---|---|---|
| O&O ShutUp10++ | Privacy tool to disable unwanted Windows features | ✅ Yes |
| Winaero Tweaker | Offers easy toggle for Copilot, ads, and telemetry | ✅ Yes |
| Ultimate Windows Tweaker | Lightweight tool with Copilot settings | ✅ Yes |
⚠️ Use only reputable tools and download from their official websites.
How to Restore Copilot if You Change Your Mind
Changed your mind? You can bring Copilot back anytime.
Method 1: Taskbar Settings
If you only hid it:
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Right-click taskbar → Taskbar settings → Toggle Copilot (preview) ON.
Method 2: Reinstall via PowerShell
If you uninstalled it:
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Open PowerShell (Admin).
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Run:
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Restart your computer.
Copilot will be restored.
Potential Risks and Considerations
| Action | Possible Impact |
|---|---|
| Disabling via Settings | Safe, reversible |
| Disabling via Group Policy | Permanent but reversible |
| Registry edits | Advanced — risk if done incorrectly |
| PowerShell uninstall | Removes app entirely — may affect future updates |
Always ensure you have a restore point or backup before modifying system settings.
Tips for a Faster and Cleaner Windows 11 Experience
If you’re removing Copilot for performance reasons, try these extra tweaks:
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Disable Startup apps you don’t use (Settings → Apps → Startup).
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Use Storage Sense to clear temporary files.
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Turn off background apps under Privacy settings.
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Run Disk Cleanup regularly.
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Keep your graphics drivers up to date.
These steps, combined with disabling Copilot, can make Windows 11 feel noticeably faster.
Key Takeaways
| ✅ | Summary |
|---|---|
| 🧩 | Copilot is Microsoft’s built-in AI assistant in Windows 11. |
| 🧠 | You can disable it safely via Taskbar settings or Group Policy. |
| ⚙️ | Advanced users can uninstall it via PowerShell or Registry Editor. |
| 🔒 | Use Group Policy or update settings to block reinstallation. |
| 💡 | Always back up your system before editing the registry or running PowerShell commands. |
Conclusion
Whether you find Copilot unnecessary or want a cleaner interface, now you know exactly how to delete Copilot in Windows 11 — step by step.
You can choose between a simple disable, a policy-based block, or a complete uninstall using PowerShell. The choice depends on how deeply you want to remove it.
With Copilot gone (or hidden), you’ll enjoy a faster, distraction-free, and privacy-focused Windows 11 experience.
FAQs
1. Can I completely uninstall Copilot from Windows 11?
Yes. You can use PowerShell with the Remove-AppxPackage command to remove it entirely. However, future updates may reinstall it.
2. Is it safe to disable Copilot?
Absolutely. Disabling it through settings or Group Policy doesn’t harm your system.
3. Will removing Copilot free up system resources?
A little — it won’t drastically boost performance, but it can reduce background processes and memory usage slightly.
4. Why can’t I find the Copilot toggle in my Taskbar settings?
You may be running an older Windows 11 build. Update to version 23H2 or later to see the Copilot option.
5. Can I reinstall Copilot after deleting it?
Yes. Use PowerShell with the Add-AppxPackage command or update Windows again to bring it back.
🔍 Summary
To sum up:
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Disable Copilot easily via Taskbar or Group Policy.
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Delete Copilot entirely using PowerShell or Registry Editor.
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Prevent reinstallation through Group Policy or update settings.
Whether you want to simplify your workflow, protect privacy, or optimize performance — removing Copilot gives you more control over your Windows 11 experience.