Turning off Copilot in Windows 11 isn’t a big deal, but if you’ve had a go at clicking around, it can feel a bit sneaky or hidden in certain builds. Basically, you want to stop Windows from launching that extra sidekick in the background — which on some boxes can gobble up resources or just be plain annoying. This guide walks you through the real-world steps — the ones that should do the trick, even if the UI feels a bit glitchy or inconsistent sometimes. Windows can hide features or make toggles tricky, so a few extra tips might come in handy.
How to Turn Off Copilot in Windows 11
This method is all about navigating the Settings properly, because sometimes those options aren’t where you’d expect, or need a bit of finesse to find. Once you disable it, your machine should run a bit snappier, and you won’t see Copilot pop up uninvited.
Hit the Settings menu
- Press Windows + I for a quick shortcut — way easier than hunting through all the menus. Or click Start, then select the gear icon labelled Settings.
- From there, look for Privacy & security in the sidebar — sometimes Windows hides new stuff there.
Head to the Personalisation section
- Click on Personalisation. Sounds plain, but this is where Windows tucks away some of its newer or trickier features, including Copilot.
- Scroll down or search for Copilot in the search bar at the top of Settings. If it pops up, brilliant — if not, don’t worry, keep going.
Find and switch off Copilot
- If you see a toggle beside Copilot, flick it off. This stops it from running in the background, which is what most folks want if they’re sick of pop-ups or resource drain.
- Sometimes, there’s an option under Quick Settings or in the taskbar’s customisation options. If so, right-click the taskbar, go to Taskbar Settings, and see if you can turn off specific widgets or insights linked to Copilot.
Double-check and restart
- Once you switch it off, some setups might need a quick restart to completely disable Copilot — not always, but it’s worth a shot.
- If your Start menu or taskbar still shows hints or suggestions, go back into Settings and make sure the toggle didn’t switch back. Windows can be a bit stubborn and may need an extra nudge to respect your choice.
- Heads up: On some setups, disabling via Settings alone isn’t enough because Windows might re-enable features after updates or reboots. In those cases, disabling related services or editing group policies could be necessary, but that’s more advanced stuff.
Tips for Disabling Copilot
- Make sure your Windows is up to date. Sometimes new builds cause hiccups with toggles, and updates can sort that out.
- Check if any third-party apps or tweaks are re-enabling features without you knowing.
- It’s a good idea to create a system restore point before fiddling with settings — Windows can make things a bit tricky, after all.
- If you’re comfortable, you could also look into group policies or registry keys related to Copilot. Just be careful — messing around there can cause more headaches if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
FAQs
What is Copilot in Windows 11?
It’s this AI-powered helper that pops up to offer suggestions, automate some tasks, or give shortcuts. It’s part of Microsoft’s push for smarter features, but not everyone’s fussed about it running all the time.
Why would I want to turn it off?
Maybe it’s hogging resources or just getting in the way of your work. Some reckon it’s more of a distraction than a help, especially if you prefer to keep things manual.
Can I turn it back on easily?
For sure. Just flick the toggle back on in Settings. Once turned off, it’s usually a simple switch to reverse — unless Windows decides to turn it back on after updates.
Will turning off Copilot break anything?
Nah, it’s designed to be separate, so disabling it shouldn’t mess with the core features. But sometimes Windows links things together more than it should, so if stuff acts up, check your Settings or look for updates.
Do I need to restart after turning it off?
Better safe than sorry — give your PC a restart. Usually, this makes sure all the changes stick. Not quite sure why, but it seems to help.
Wrap-up
- Use Windows + I or the gear icon in the Start menu to open Settings.
- Head to Privacy & Security or Personalisation — wherever Windows hides Copilot.
- Find the toggle for Copilot and switch it off.
- Reboot if needed, and check that it’s actually gone.
Final thoughts
Turning off Copilot isn’t the most straightforward job, mostly because Windows likes to hide it or change things up. But once it’s off, your system feels a bit tidier, and it should run a touch smoother. Just keep in mind that Windows updates might bring it back or tweak the controls again — so it’s worth poking around now and then to keep it disabled if you’re keen. Hope this saves you a few headaches or at least makes your day a bit easier. Hopefully, it helps you avoid the endless clicking around!