Getting rid of Bing Chat on Windows 11 isn’t exactly a rocket science gig, but it can be a bit fiddly if you’re not sure where to look. Basically, you just need to tweak a few privacy settings, mainly around voice recognition, since that’s usually where Bing Chat hides. It’s a bit odd Microsoft shoves this feature under such a vague privacy menu, but that’s Windows for ya.
Removing Bing Chat from Windows 11
This guide mainly involves turning off that online speech recognition thing, which Bing Chat runs on. The idea? Keep your voice data on your device and stop it from popping up uninvited. Sometimes it’s just a quick toggle, other times you might need to dig a bit deeper.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Hit Windows + I or click the Start menu and select Settings. That’s your gateway to a bunch of options, including privacy stuff that’s a bit hidden. On some setups, the menu loads quicker than others, and on a few, you might need to restart Settings or even your PC for all the options to appear.
Step 2: Head to Privacy & Security
In the Settings window, click on Privacy & Security. It’s in the left sidebar, usually near the bottom. If you don’t see it straight away, check if Windows has defaulted to a different view. Sometimes, after updates, the menu resets. This is where you start blocking Bing Chat from sneaking in with your voice data.
Step 3: Dive into Speech Settings
Scroll down or look around for Speech. This is where Microsoft stashes the voice recognition options. On some versions, it’s called Speech Recognition, and on others just Speech. Click it, and you’ll see the toggle for Online Speech Recognition.
Step 4: Turn off Online Speech Recognition
Flip the switch to Off. Doing this disables the cloud-based voice analysis that Bing Chat relies on. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, it’s enough to kill Bing Chat altogether. On other setups, you might see the feature turn back on after a reboot, so you might need to toggle it a few times or check for updates or policies if it keeps coming back.
If Bing Chat still causes you grief, check other related settings like Voice Activation or Cortana Settings. Windows sometimes makes it harder than it needs to.
Step 5: Restart your PC
This step’s key. After changing the setting, reboot your PC — a quick restart or a full shutdown and turn-on can help. Windows tends to cache things a bit, so this helps make sure Bing Chat stays out. After rebooting, voice commands that rely on cloud recognition should be disabled, and Bing Chat shouldn’t bother you anymore.
If it still pops up, give Windows a moment to settle, or try toggling the setting again. If that doesn’t do the trick, here’s what else you can try:
Check Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise versions): Hit gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Speech, then disable relevant policies. Not everyone has this, but in some work setups, it helps.
Use PowerShell or Regedit: Advanced users can verify or manually disable related services or registry keys. For example, look into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Speech_OneCore and see if toggling some keys helps.
Either way, it’s mostly trial and error, but turning off the online speech recognition is the main step. No fancy tools needed, just a few clicks.
Tips for removing Bing Chat from Windows 11
- Keep Windows up-to-date — sometimes, updates can switch Bing Chat back on if you’re not careful.
- Regularly check your privacy settings; Windows loves to hide or reset features after updates.
- If voice features still bug you, third-party speech blockers or local speech recognition apps might help, but be cautious about what you install.
- Note down any changes you make—Windows sometimes resets settings after big updates.
FAQs
What is Bing Chat?
It’s basically a voice-activated helper built into Windows, powered by Bing’s search engine, that listens and answers your questions.
Will removing Bing Chat mess with Cortana?
Nah, Cortana isn’t directly tied to Bing Chat. Taking out Bing Chat shouldn’t affect your default voice assistant — unless you disable Cortana separately.
Can I turn Bing Chat back on later?
Absolutely. Just head back into the settings and toggle it on again, or re-enable via Group Policy if you used that.
Is there an alternative to Bing Chat?
You bet. You can switch to other voice assistants or speech recognition apps. Some options are more privacy-friendly, too.
Does disabling Bing Chat affect other Microsoft apps?
Not much. It mainly targets the online voice recognition feature—your Office apps or other tools shouldn’t be affected unless they rely on those same features.
Summary
- Open Windows Settings
- Go to Privacy & Security
- Click on Speech
- Turn off Online Speech Recognition
- Reboot your PC to make sure everything sticks
Hope this helps out. Not the easiest task, but it stops Bing Chat from sneaking into your Windows again. Worked fine across a couple of Aussie machines, so fingers crossed it helps you out, too.