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

Question

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)

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

Hi,

I'm Pedro A, Independent Advisor

Try this procedure:

1 - Let's activate your Windows Group Policy

Open NotePad and paste the script below:

@echo off

pushd "%~dp0"

dir /b C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~3*.mum >List.txt

dir /b C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~3*.mum >>List.txt

for /f %%i in ('findstr /i . List.txt 2^>nul') do dism /online /norestart /add-package:"C:\Windows\servicing\Packages%%i"

pause

• Save the file to your Desktop with the name "gpedit.bat" (without quotes)

Right click on it and run as administrator

Wait for the process to finish and close the prompt window

2 - Press Win+R and type:

gpedit.msc

press enter

Follow the cumin below

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.

3 - In the right panel, double click on "Turn off Windows Copilot"

In the window that appears, select "Enabled"

Click Apply and Ok

Restart Windows

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

Thank you for this instruction - it worked.

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