How to Remove Copilot in Windows 11
Got that pesky Copilot feature cluttering up your Windows 11? No worries, it’s pretty easy to knock it off. Mostly, you’ll be cracking into Settings and doing a couple of tweaks in Command Prompt or PowerShell. No dramas about messing up your OS — just some straightforward adjustments. With a bit of patience, you’ll have your desktop looking cleaner in no time.
Open Up Settings
Start by clicking the Start button and heading to ‘Settings,’ or just hit Windows + I if you’re in a rush. Alternatively, you can run ms-settings: in the Run box (Windows + R). This is where the magic begins — your go-to spot for tweaks. Most issues or customisations can be sorted here, and honestly, once you get the hang of it, it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Takes about a minute or less.
Dive into Personalisation
Once you’re in Settings, find ‘Personalisation’ on the sidebar. It’s just Windows’ way of organising all its quirks. Copilot? Yep, it’s part of that interface clutter. This menu controls how your Windows looks and feels, so it’s a good place to start if you want to hide Copilot from view. Click on ‘Personalisation’ and you’re on your way.
Hit Up the Taskbar Option
Within Personalisation, click on ‘Taskbar’. This is your playground for everything taskbar-related: icons, notifications, all that jazz. Scroll down to the Taskbar items section — because, of course, Microsoft loves hiding features. Here’s where you can toggle off the Copilot icon. Look for the switch to turn Show suggestions in Windows off, or if available, the ‘Copilot’ icon toggle. Sometimes it’s also under Chat from the taskbar, depending on your version of Windows.
Turn Off Copilot
Now for the easy bit. Just find the toggle labelled ‘Copilot’ or similar and switch it off. Sounds simple, right? Sometimes it’s hidden, so a bit of searching might be needed, but once you find it and flip it, your desktop will look much cleaner. Most folks see the change immediately, but if it doesn’t disappear right away, a quick restart usually does the trick.
Side note: If it’s stubborn and won’t go away, you might need to dive into the Registry Editor for a more permanent fix:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, hit Enter. - Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudContent.
- Find DisableCloudNotification and set it to
1to stop those annoying pop-ups.
Using Command Prompt or PowerShell
If you want to be sure Copilot’s gone for good — especially after updates — you can use Command Prompt or PowerShell. Open PowerShell as an admin (search for ‘PowerShell,’ right-click, then choose Run as administrator). Use this command to disable Copilot completely:
powershell
# Disable Copilot via Windows Registry
reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot” /v “EnableCopilot” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
This registry tweak stops Copilot from coming back after updates. You might need to restart your PC or restart Windows Explorer (Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click Windows Explorer, then choose Restart) to see the changes kick in.
And there you go — your workspace should be looking heaps cleaner. You probably won’t need to reboot, but if Copilot’s still hanging around, a restart usually sorts it out. Remember, removing Copilot isn’t just about tidying up your interface — it’s about taking back control and keeping your workspace clutter-free. Feels a bit more focused now, eh? These steps are pretty straightforward, and if you need to try again, no worries. If you ever want to bring Copilot back, just reverse the steps.
Quick Tips for Removing Copilot
Before diving in, make sure your Windows 11 is up to date (Settings > Windows Update) — older versions can be a pain. It’s also a good idea to back up your system or registry with System Restore before messing around with registry edits. If Command Prompt or PowerShell seem a bit daunting, have a quick squiz online — there’s plenty of info out there. Reversing these steps is dead easy: just toggle things back on or change the registry value from 0 to 1. If you use Group Policy, you can disable related features there too:
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, hit Enter. - Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Chat.
- Set Allow Windows Copilot to Disabled.
FAQs
Is disabling Copilot safe?
Sure is. It won’t mess with your core system — just removes the helper interface. But if you rely on Copilot for settings or info, think twice before turning it off.
Can I turn Copilot back on later?
Absolutely! Just follow the same steps and flick the switch back on, or run that registry command with EnableCopilot set to 1.
Will using Command Prompt or PowerShell cause issues?
Risks are minimal as long as you double-check your commands. Mistakes can cause hassles, so be careful with what you’re typing.
Does removing Copilot free up system resources?
Not really in terms of speed, but it definitely clears up the clutter on your screen. A neater look never goes astray.
Do I need to restart after turning off Copilot?
Most of the time, yes — especially if you’ve edited the registry or changed Group Policy settings. It’s the best way to make sure everything updates properly.
Kicking Copilot out of Windows 11 isn’t tough, and the end result gives you a more personalised desktop. These fixes are easy peasy, even if you’re not super techy. Sometimes, trimming the distractions like an over-eager AI helps you get things done quicker. And if you change your mind later? No worries — just turn it back on using the same steps. Cheers to making Windows 11 your own!