Ever since Microsoft introduced Copilot in Windows 11, users have had mixed feelings. Some love the AI-powered assistant’s productivity features, while others find it distracting, unnecessary, or too resource-hungry.
If you fall into the latter group, you’re not alone. Many users want to turn off Copilot Preview in Windows 11 — permanently or temporarily — for better privacy, performance, or focus.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every method to disable Copilot in Windows 11, whether through Settings, Group Policy, Registry Editor, or Taskbar customization.
What Is Copilot Preview in Windows 11?
Copilot is Microsoft’s new AI-powered assistant integrated directly into Windows 11. Think of it as ChatGPT built into your PC — it can help summarize documents, change settings, generate text, and more.
It appears as a sidebar panel when you click the Copilot icon on the taskbar or press Windows + C.
Since this feature is still in the Preview stage, Microsoft is testing it with select users and frequent Windows updates.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Copilot
While Copilot offers convenience, not everyone finds it useful.
Here are some common reasons to disable it:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Performance | Copilot can use extra system resources in the background. |
| Distraction-free workflow | The sidebar may pop up unintentionally or feel intrusive. |
| Privacy concerns | AI tools connect to the cloud and may analyze user data. |
| Corporate environments | Businesses often disable AI features for compliance reasons. |
| Preference | Some users simply don’t use it and prefer a cleaner UI. |
How to Turn Off Copilot Preview in Windows 11 (Quick Answer)
If you just want a quick solution:
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Right-click the taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
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Turn off the Copilot (preview) toggle.
That’s it! The Copilot icon disappears instantly, and the feature is hidden.
But for a permanent disable, especially on Pro or Enterprise editions, you’ll want to use Group Policy or Registry — explained below.
Method 1: Disable Copilot from Windows Settings
This is the easiest and most straightforward method for most users.
Steps:
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to Personalization → Taskbar.
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Under Taskbar items, find Copilot (preview).
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Turn the toggle Off.
✅ Result:
The Copilot button disappears from your taskbar, and the shortcut Windows + C will no longer open it.
Method 2: Turn Off Copilot Using Taskbar Settings (Alternative Route)
If you prefer using the right-click menu:
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Right-click an empty area on the taskbar.
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Click Taskbar settings.
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Find Copilot (preview) and turn it Off.
✅ Pro Tip:
You can also turn off Widgets and Chat from the same menu to further declutter your taskbar.
Method 3: Remove Copilot via Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise, you can disable Copilot system-wide — ideal for managed or shared PCs.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. -
In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
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Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot.
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Select Enabled, then click Apply → OK.
✅ Result:
Copilot will be completely disabled for all users on the PC — no icon, no function, no shortcut.
Note:
If you can’t find “Windows Copilot” in Group Policy, make sure your system is updated to the latest Windows 11 version that includes Copilot Preview.
Method 4: Disable Copilot Using Registry Editor (All Versions)
If you’re on Windows 11 Home, you won’t have Group Policy Editor — but you can achieve the same effect with the Registry Editor.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Right-click Windows, select New → Key, and name it WindowsCopilot.
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Inside the new key, right-click and select 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, then restart your computer.
✅ Effect:
Copilot will be completely turned off, even if Windows updates try to re-enable it.
Method 5: Turn Off Copilot Using Command Prompt or PowerShell
If you prefer command-line control, you can modify the Registry instantly.
Command Prompt:
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Open CMD as administrator.
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Enter the following command:
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Restart your PC.
✅ Result:
Copilot is now disabled — no GUI required.
Method 6: Disable Copilot from Microsoft Edge (If It Appears There)
Copilot also appears in Microsoft Edge as an AI sidebar.
To turn it off:
Steps:
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Open Microsoft Edge.
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Click the three-dot (•••) menu → Settings.
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Go to Sidebar → Copilot.
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Turn off “Show Copilot button on the sidebar.”
✅ Optional:
You can also disable Sidebar auto-open under App and notification settings.
Method 7: Remove Copilot Shortcut Keys (Windows + C)
Even after hiding the icon, the shortcut Windows + C may still launch Copilot.
To disable it:
Steps (Group Policy):
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Open gpedit.msc.
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Navigate to:
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Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot and set it to Enabled.
If you’re using Registry Editor, the DWORD value method (from Method 4) also disables the shortcut.
How to Temporarily Hide Copilot
If you just want to hide Copilot without disabling it entirely:
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Right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings.
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Toggle Copilot (preview) off.
You can toggle it back on anytime you want.
This is perfect if you occasionally use Copilot but don’t want it visible all the time.
How to Re-enable Copilot (If You Change Your Mind)
To turn Copilot back on, just reverse the changes:
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In Settings → Toggle Copilot (preview) to On.
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In Group Policy, set Turn off Windows Copilot to Not Configured.
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In Registry Editor, delete the TurnOffWindowsCopilot key or set its value to 0.
After restarting your PC, the Copilot icon and shortcut should reappear.
Troubleshooting: Copilot Still Appears After Disabling
If Copilot keeps coming back after you disable it, here’s what to check:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Windows Update re-enabled Copilot | Repeat Registry or Group Policy method after update. |
| Wrong registry path | Make sure you’re editing the Policies path, not default Windows keys. |
| Microsoft Edge integration active | Disable Copilot inside Edge separately. |
| Using multiple user accounts | Apply settings for each user profile. |
✅ Pro Tip:
You can export your Registry settings and apply them to other PCs easily.
Pros and Cons of Disabling Copilot
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better performance and fewer background processes | You lose quick AI assistance |
| Enhanced privacy | Can’t use AI-powered Windows features |
| Cleaner taskbar | Future Windows updates might re-enable it |
| Full control over resources | Some system tasks may eventually depend on Copilot integration |
Bonus: Prevent Windows 11 Updates from Re-enabling Copilot
To make your disable settings stick:
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Go to Settings → Windows Update.
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Pause updates for up to 5 weeks.
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Or use Group Policy → Windows Update for Business to defer feature updates.
This ensures Microsoft doesn’t silently reinstall Copilot during major patches.
Conclusion
Turning off Copilot Preview in Windows 11 is simple — whether you want a cleaner interface, better privacy, or improved performance.
From Taskbar Settings to Group Policy Editor, you have multiple options depending on your Windows edition.
Remember:
You’re in control of what features run on your PC — not Microsoft.
If you ever miss Copilot’s features, it’s just a few clicks away to turn back on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I remove Copilot from the Windows 11 taskbar?
Right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings → Copilot (preview) and turn it Off.
2. Can I permanently disable Copilot in Windows 11?
Yes. Use Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor to permanently disable Copilot at the system level.
3. Does disabling Copilot affect other Windows features?
No, it only removes the AI assistant. Your other features like Search, Widgets, and Settings will still work normally.
4. How do I disable Copilot in Windows 11 Home edition?
Use Registry Editor:
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Create a key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot -
Add a DWORD: TurnOffWindowsCopilot = 1
5. Will Copilot return after a Windows Update?
Possibly. Some updates may re-enable it, so you might need to repeat the Registry or Group Policy steps.
Summary: Key Takeaways
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Quick disable: Settings → Taskbar → Turn off Copilot (preview).
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Permanent disable: Use Group Policy (Pro) or Registry Editor (Home).
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Edge Copilot: Disable separately in Edge → Sidebar settings.
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Keyboard shortcut: Disabling Copilot also removes Windows + C.
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Re-enable anytime by reverting settings or toggling back in the taskbar menu.
Final Thought:
Copilot is a promising AI tool, but not everyone needs it running all the time. With these simple methods, you can reclaim your system’s performance, privacy, and peace — while keeping the option to turn it back on whenever you’re ready.