How To Turn Off Microsoft Copilot on Windows 11 and 10

Microsoft Copilot is a powerful feature in Windows, but many people remain cautious of the AI assistant, citing privacy concerns. They argue that Copilot’s permissions allow it to collect sensitive data from your device. As a result, users who want to protect their private data and personal info often seek to uninstall Copilot.

Thankfully, there are various ways to turn off Copilot. In this step-by-step guide, the experts at Secure Data Recovery explain how to disable Copilot on Windows 11 and 10. Because we believe that users should have complete control over their computer and the data stored on it.

Key Takeaways:

• Copilot is Microsoft’s built-in AI assistant for Windows and raises privacy and security questions.
• Several methods disable Copilot at the system level, including changing settings, editing Window Registry, or restricting network access.
• You can also disable Copilot only within select apps like the Microsoft 365 product family.
• Windows Update may re-enable Copilot, but you can disable the tool again and take steps to prevent its return.

How To Disable Copilot on Windows 11 and 10

Why Disable Microsoft Copilot?

Users may choose to turn off Copilot for the following reasons:

• Privacy: The AI assistant collects a range of data to perform tasks, prompting concerns over usage.
• Security: Copilot’s broad permissions and access to apps containing critical files could pose a threat.
• Performance: The chatbot can consume system resources as it runs in the background, which could slow down PCs with older hardware.
• Intrusiveness: Some people prefer manual workflows over AI suggestions or want to limit Microsoft’s footprint on their computer.

In most cases, turning off Microsoft Copilot provides people with peace of mind.

While Copilot can help Windows users with daily tasks, many individuals and businesses elect not to use it. Copilot interacts with cloud services to answer questions or analyze data. That processing could expose valuable data to third parties. Therefore, users frequently disable the chatbot to safeguard their privacy, intellectual property (IP), or financial records. Especially since it is not clear how Copilot collects data or what info Microsoft shares with its partners.

Whatever the reason, there are multiple methods to disable Copilot in Windows.

Method 1: Remove Copilot in Settings Menu

The simplest method to remove Copilot from Windows involves turning it off in Settings.

Note: This option is not available to all Windows users. Different versions of Windows have unique feature sets. Some editions of Windows 11 Home and most Windows 10 builds will not offer this option. In addition, the setting might not appear in certain regions because they restrict AI tools by default.

To disable Copilot via the Settings app:

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys at the same time.
2. Click Personalization in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Taskbar from the menu.
4. Scroll down to Copilot and toggle the switch to Off.
5. Restart the computer for changes to take effect.

Copilot will not launch after rebooting.

Method 2: Use Group Policy To Disable Copilot

Windows Pro and Enterprise users can access the Group Policy Editor in Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

To disable Copilot using Group Policy Editor:

1. Open the Run program by pressing the Windows + R keys at the same time.
2. Type gpedit.msc into the box and hit Enter.
3. Select User Configuration in the menu.
4. Click the Administrative Templates subfolder.
5. Click the Windows Components subfolder.
6. Click the Windows Copilot subfolder.
7. Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot in the right-hand panel.
8. Choose Enable to implement a policy that disables Copilot.
9. Click Apply, then OK.

This approach disables Copilot at the system level.

Method 3: Edit Windows Registry To Turn Off Copilot

Home users who cannot disable Copilot in Settings or access the Group Policy Editor must modify the Windows Registry.

Note: Changing settings in the registry requires caution. Improper actions could impact system stability. Follow instructions carefully.

To disable Copilot by editing the Windows Registry:

1. Open the Run program by pressing the Windows + R keys at the same time.
2. Type regedit into the box and hit Enter.
3. Paste HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced into the address bar.
4. Right-click inside the window, highlight New in the pop-up menu, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Right-click New Key #1 and rename it to DisableCopilot.
6. Double-click DisableCopilot.
7. Set Value data to 1.
8. Click OK.
9. Exit the Registry Editor and restart the computer for changes to take effect.

Altering values in the registry prevents Copilot from running.

Method 4: Block Copilot From Running in Windows Defender Firewall

Users can restrict Copilot from connecting to Microsoft servers by blocking it with Windows Defender Firewall.

To disable Copilot with Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Open the Run program by pressing the Windows + R keys at the same time.
2. Type firewall.cpl into the box and press Enter.
3. Click Advanced settings in the sidebar.
4. Select Outbound Rules in the left panel.
5. Click New Rule.
6. Select Program, then Next.
7. Click Browse… and locate the Copilot folder. It is often installed in the SystemApps folder, but the file path might differ between Windows versions.
8. Select Copilot’s executable file, click Next, and choose Block the connection.
9. Apply the rule to all profiles.
10. Name the rule Disable Copilot, then click Finish.

The AI tool can no longer communicate with Microsoft’s cloud services.

Method 5: Stop Copilot in Task Manager

If other options are not available or seem too daunting, users can stop Copilot in the Task Manager.

To prevent Copilot from running with Task Manager:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Locate copilot.exe if running.
3. Right-click the process and select End Task.

This method does not permanently disable Copilot. Users will need to end Copilot processes each time they start their PC.

How To Disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 Apps

Some people find Copilot useful in specific instances but remain reluctant to provide access to apps. Examples include popular apps within the Microsoft 365 suite like Word, Excel, and Outlook or the Microsoft Edge web browser. Microsoft integrates Copilot into these programs for AI-powered writing assistance, data analysis, summaries, coding, and more. Users can still disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps without removing or restricting the tool at the system level.

To disable Copilot across all Microsoft 365 apps:

1. Open a Microsoft 365 app.
2. Click File in the top-left corner.
3. Select Account from the left panel.
4. Click the Manage Settings button under Account Privacy.
5. Scroll down to Connected experiences and uncheck the boxes.
6. Click OK.

Note: Disabling connected experiences does not remove Copilot elements from the user interface.

How To Disable Copilot in Word

To turn off Copilot in Microsoft Word:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click File in the top-left corner.
3. Select Options from the left panel.
4. Choose Copilot in the Options menu.
5. Uncheck Enable Copilot to disable Copilot.
6. Click OK and restart the app.

How To Disable Copilot in Excel

To turn off Copilot in Microsoft Excel:

1. Open Microsoft Excel.
2. Click File in the top-left corner.
3. Select Options from the left panel.
4. Choose Copilot in the Options menu.
5. Uncheck Enable Copilot to disable Copilot.
6. Click OK and restart the app.

How To Prevent Copilot From Reinstalling in Windows Updates

Windows Update will sometimes issue patches that re-enable Copilot. You will need to disable Copilot again after installing these updates. The methods outlined above should still work for Windows 11 and 10.

It is possible to pause Windows Update to stop Copilot from returning, but we do not recommend that option. Updates often address potential threats or introduce bug fixes. Windows is more unstable and vulnerable without regular updates.

Take Control of Your Privacy

Many Windows users do not feel comfortable keeping Copilot on their system despite its useful features. Turning off the AI tool is the most effective method to prevent data collection and exposure of sensitive info. Our data recovery services have set many privacy standards in our industry. That commitment to protecting private data remains one of our core values. Follow these simple steps to disable Copilot and maintain control over your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Copilot come enabled on all Windows devices?

Yes. In 2024, Microsoft enabled Copilot by default on supported Windows PCs.

Can I completely uninstall Copilot?

No. You can only disable it by editing system settings, group policies, the Windows Registry, or firewall rules.

Is running Copilot a risk?

Microsoft claims that Copilot is private and secure. However, the tool collects data and sends it to cloud servers for further processing. As a result, many users prefer to disable Copilot and forego AI features.

Does disabling Copilot improve performance?

It can. Copilot consumes resources as it runs in the background. These processes are especially demanding for older devices. Reducing strain could improve system performance.

Article by

T.J. Burlee

T.J. Burlee is a content writer for Secure Data Recovery Services. He specializes in various topics in the data industry, including data recovery technology, storage devices, and digital forensics. Throughout his career, he has covered complex concepts and provided accessible solutions for users. Before joining Secure Data, he worked as a freelance technical writer.