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

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

This fix didn't work for me. The suggested code generated the response: "ERROR: Access is denied."

Here's what I'm running -

Windows 11 Home v. 23H2

OS Build: 22631.3447

Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22688.1000.0

I don't remember seeing the Experience Pack there before, but then I don't look at this stuff often so I could easily have overlooked it.

Answer 3

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

"I followed these instructions and they worked until the next windows update or something else turned it back on. I Really Hate copilot so please help

Answer 4

You never had the right to force it onto the systems and steal from the users anyway!

All I can say about this, before commenting as to weather they have the right, you may want to read through the reams & reams of terms and conditions of licence in bold is the interesting bit.

Article 6

 ***Updates.****The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates.*By accepting this agreement or using the software, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.

Article 6 is way down past the point you lose the will to live if you carry on reading but there it is.

Answer 5

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

"I followed these instructions and they worked until the next windows update or something else turned it back on. I Really Hate copilot so please help

I thought I was going mad. did I do this entry?

I must have done but wait - its not there so I couldn't have done~!

so I screenshot it to record it and few days later just gone into my accounts software and entered a line of a stock item and al of a sudden co-pilot popped up and did a search on the grammar of it - bear in mind this was my accounts software

Went into the registry and it wasn't there AGAIN!!! so I've just put it back in and we are good again

I'm going to change the permissions of the registry entry allowing just me and remove the rest to see how I get on after the next update (after backing it up of course)