How to Disable or Remove Copilot in Windows 11

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Ankit Kumar
Windows 11SystemTips

The Problem

Windows 11 puts Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant on the taskbar, sometimes binds it to a dedicated keyboard key, and reinstalls it through updates. If you don't use it, it's taking up taskbar space, a keyboard shortcut, and background resources.

There are three levels of removal, from mildest to most thorough: hide the button, uninstall the app, or block it at the policy level so updates can't bring it back. Pick the level you want — all are reversible.

Step 1: Remove the Copilot Button from the Taskbar

The quickest option — hides it without uninstalling anything.

  1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings (or go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar).
  2. Turn off the Copilot toggle.

The button disappears immediately. The app is still installed and the keyboard key (on newer laptops) still opens it.

Step 2: Uninstall the Copilot App

Copilot ships as a regular Store app, so it uninstalls like one.

  1. Open Settings (Win + I) > Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Search for Copilot.
  3. Click the three-dot menu next to it and choose Uninstall.

Note: a future Windows update or Store sync can reinstall it. If you want it to stay gone, do Step 3 as well.

Step 3: Block Copilot with Group Policy (Pro) or Registry (Home)

Windows 11 Pro — Group Policy:

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
  2. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
  3. Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot, select Enabled, click OK, and restart.

Windows 11 Home — Registry:

Before editing the Registry: a wrong change here can cause system problems. Follow the steps exactly, and consider creating a system restore point first.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter, and accept the UAC prompt.
  2. Navigate to: 
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  3. Right-click the Windows key > New > Key, and name it WindowsCopilot.
  4. Inside it, right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot, and set its value to 1.
  5. Restart your PC.

To undo either method later, set the policy to Not Configured or delete the TurnOffWindowsCopilot value.

Step 4: Reassign the Copilot Key (Newer Laptops)

Many 2024-and-later laptops have a dedicated Copilot key. Windows lets you repurpose it:

  1. Open Settings > Personalization > Text input.
  2. Find Customize Copilot key and choose Search or a specific app instead.

Step 5: Turn Off Copilot in Microsoft Edge

Edge has its own Copilot sidebar, separate from the Windows one.

  1. In Edge, open Settings > Sidebar.
  2. Under App and notification settings, select Copilot and turn off Show Copilot.

That's it — Copilot is off your taskbar, keyboard, and browser, and policy-blocked from returning.

Doing a broader cleanup? Removing preinstalled extras is covered in how to debloat Windows 11, trimming background telemetry in disable Windows 11 telemetry and tracking, and stopping forced updates in stop Windows 11 automatic updates.

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