Turning off Copilot in Windows 11 isn’t too tricky, but it’s a bit strange how Windows makes you jump through hoops just to disable a feature that’s meant to be helpful. If those constant prompts, suggestions, or just the clutter annoy you, this guide should help you shut it down. Usually, just turning off notifications isn’t enough because Copilot can sometimes sneak back in or activate in unexpected ways, so you might need a few extra steps. Once you’re done, your Windows should feel a lot quieter, with fewer pop-ups and interruptions.
How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11
Jump into Settings and turn off notifications
This is probably the easiest part, but still a bit frustrating because Windows tends to hide things. First, open the Settings app—either click the Start button and hit the gear icon or press Windows key + I. Then, head to System (that’s usually the first big icon). Next, click on Notifications & Actions on the left sidebar. You’ll see a long list of apps and alerts—look for Copilot or related suggestions. Flip those switches off. That should stop the prompts or suggestions from bothering you.
Some folks say that on certain Windows 11 setups, these options only hide the notifications, and Copilot’s background activity might still run in the background. That can be a pain, but for most, this does the trick. If you want to be thorough, check out the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the Startup tab. Disable anything related to Copilot or suggestions there too.
Use the Group Policy Editor or Registry Fix (if it’s being stubborn)
If turning off notifications doesn’t quite do the trick and Copilot keeps coming back, you might need to get a bit more hands-on. For Windows Pro or Enterprise, you can try disabling Copilot via Group Policy. Hit Start and type gpedit.msc, then go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content. Look for something like Disable Copilot (if it’s there), and enable it. Keep in mind, not all editions of Windows support this, so it’s a bit of a shot in the dark.
If you don’t have Group Policy Editor, you can try editing the registry: open regedit and navigate to somewhere like HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies or similar paths, then change settings to disable Copilot. But be careful—messing with the registry can cause issues if you aren’t careful.
Reboot and double-check
After you’ve made the changes, restart your PC. Windows sometimes clings onto features even after you disable them, so a reboot helps it stick. On some machines, Copilot might still pop up after a restart, so go back and double-check the notification settings and make sure it’s all turned off. Also, keep an eye out for updates—they might reset your preferences.
Extra tips
Because Windows updates often move things around or change names, if you’re having trouble disabling Copilot with the usual methods, check out the latest support articles or forums. If you’re just sick of the pop-ups but still want some AI help, there are more targeted options like PowerShell scripts or third-party tools (like Winhance) that can tidy up the UI more thoroughly.