How do I disable Copilot and all Other AI functionality in Windows 11 HOME edition

Anonymous
2023-10-04T18:13:26+00:00

I want to fully disable (or preferably remove) Copilot and all other AI functionality in Windows 11 Home Edition. This question may belong under another topic; I just guessed at Settings.

See the bottom of this post for system information. Below are specific questions related to the details of disabling Copilot and AI functionality. I have not been able to find any of this information on any Microsoft resources; perhaps I missed something?.

  • Disabling Copilot in Windows 11 Home Edition: Please note that I am running Windows 11 Home edition - not Pro, Enterprise, etc., where I could solve the problem with group policies or other administrative options. The Windows Update setting "Get the latest updates" is turned on, so I am running Copilot Preview.
  • Copilot Taskbar Button: I have hidden Copilot on the taskbar, but that is obviously not the same as disabling Copilot or other AI functionality.
  • Disabling Copilot via Registry: There are instructions on various websites for disabling Copilot by editing the registry; I would appreciate details about how to do that, as long as the necessary edits are reasonably safe and reliable.
  • Disabling all AI functionality: How centralized is AI functionality in Windows 11? Does disabling Copilot disable AI functionality across all Windows 11 built-in features, as well as Microsoft desktop apps? Or has AI metastasized across the entire Windows ecosystem, requiring a constant game of whack-a-mole to disable everywhere?

Thanks in advance for any help.

  • Laura

Windows System Information:

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 22H2

OS build OS Build 22621.2361 Preview (KB5030310)

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2023-10-05T23:03:00+00:00

It can be disabled in the registry. Right click the start button and select Terminal.

Copy and paste in the command below and press enter:

reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot /v TurnOffWindowsCopilot /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

If it is successful, sign out of your account then back in for the change to take effect.

To reenable:

reg delete HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot /f

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-08T17:02:32+00:00

    Thank you so much, AW - these instructions seem to work!

    I think I finally found the documentation for this solution in the Microsoft Learn Windows 11 Client Management documentation, in the article for Manage Copilot in Windows - Turn off Copilot in Windows. However, I would never have known how to implement the policy without the help from you and Pedro H P Araujo.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-08T13:25:27+00:00

    Thank you for this instruction - it worked.

    How do we know Copilot isn't still running in the background, collecting information?

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-05T22:22:53+00:00

    Hi,

    Ok, let's try another method by performing changes in

    Registry Editor

    1 - Type The Keys Win+R, When the Run Window Appears Type:

    regedit

    AND HIT ENTER

    When Opening Registry Editor, Navigate to the Following Path:

    Computer \ hKey_current_user \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVenion \ Explorer \ Advanced

    2 - Look for “showcopilotbutton” in the right pane and double -click to open it.

    double click on it and in "value data" change it to 0

    CLICK “OK” TO SAVE THE CHANGES.

    Restart Your Windows

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-05T16:59:22+00:00

    Thank you very much, Pedro.

    I was able to complete all your (very clear!) instructions; however, after restarting, Copilot appears to still be enabled. If I go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, the option to turn on Copilot (Preview) is still there. If I turn the Copilot taskbar button on, I can indeed launch Copilot.

    I opened the Local Group Policy Editor, and the "Turn off Windows Copilot" policy is enabled.

    Any ideas? Thanks so much for your help.

    • Laura

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