Microsoft’s Sneaky Copilot Removal: Windows 11 Takes a Turn

Microsoft has finally added the ability to completely remove the AI Copilot system in Windows 11, but doing so is not exactly straightforward, nor is it available to everyone. The company released a new Windows Insider build along with descriptions of changes in it. Notably, the ability to remove Copilot.

To remove the AI from your device, it must meet the following criteria: both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot must be installed on it; the Microsoft Copilot application was not installed by the user; and the Microsoft Copilot application has not been launched in the last 28 days.

Firstly, this means that users will still have the Microsoft 365 Copilot app installed even after removal. Furthermore, it is paid and part of the Microsoft 365 subscription. Apparently, to remove Copilot, you first need to buy a subscription.

The condition of not launching Copilot in the last 28 days is also a problem. The point is, the application has an auto-start feature enabled by default with Windows, which many users may not be aware of. Furthermore, Copilot is very easy to accidentally launch, as it can be done with the Windows + C, Alt + Space key combinations, or even through a dedicated Copilot button on new laptops.

The actual button to remove Copilot is also buried deep in the settings: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App.