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

Try running the cmd window as administrator. I'd give this about a 25% chance of working as Windows security issues usually do not respond to sense in my experience.

Answer 3

I am convinced that if you can get to a version of Windows 10 before Copilot and AI appeared on systems, you can use Group Policy Editor to freeze the system at that version and block all updates. You won't get any updates, but you will be free.

There are ways to harden systems, so you won't have to worry about security updates so much. The hardest part will be finding your way to the appropriate version of Windows 10 and staying there.

I doubt there is any way to get what you want with Windows 11. You might try freezing out Windows updates and Microsoft as much as possible. Then, you might be able to disable what you don't want, and Microsoft would likely have no way to switch it back. But you'd have to lock down your system against Microsoft—no telemetry, no signing into Microsoft online, or connecting your local account with an online Microsoft account.

Microsoft has many ways to get into your system, which you may know nothing about. Lately, they have led me to accept so-called privacy settings that do the opposite and open my information to them.

Good luck with your efforts.

Answer 4

Bob - Your 25% option worked perfectly for me. Appreciate it!

Answer 5

It shouldn't be that much work. MS should provide an option to turn it off easily in the app or by a right-click.