What Copilot features can you turn off inside of Windows 11

Windows 11, with its array of impressive features, includes Copilot, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. While this may be a boon for some, others might have concerns about its presence on their computer. If you're among the latter, here's a guide on what Copilot features you can turn off inside Windows 11.

Before going any further, let's answer the big question: Can you uninstall Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot? The answer is yes. Both apps are completely separate from Windows 11 and can be uninstalled and reinstalled directly from the Microsoft Store.

The good news is that as of 2026, Microsoft has made Copilot fully optional in Windows 11. You no longer need registry hacks or Group Policy edits to get rid of it. Users can now disable Copilot entirely without workarounds, and Microsoft has also pulled Copilot back from several built-in apps — including Snipping Tool, Photos, Notepad, and Widgets — where it previously appeared by default. If you found Copilot intrusive, Microsoft has listened.

Microsoft introduced Copilot as an AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 and Windows 11, including Microsoft Edge. While this may seem helpful, some users prefer to turn it off for privacy or performance reasons.

Turning off Copilot features in Windows 11 is now easier than ever. Whether you're concerned about privacy or simply prefer a cleaner interface, here's how to do it.

If you wish to clear the data Copilot has collected, you can do so by resetting Copilot. You can even restrict what optional data Windows 11 sends back to Microsoft.

How to turn off Copilot in Microsoft Edge

1. Left-click on the Microsoft Edge (wave) icon on the Taskbar.
2. Left-click on the three (3) horizontal dots (...) in the upper right-hand corner and select Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, select Appearance.
4. In the right-hand column under Other appearance settings, select Copilot and sidebar.
   
5. Select Off.

How to unpin Copilot from the Taskbar

As part of Microsoft's 2026 quality update for Windows 11, the Copilot button has been removed from the Taskbar by default, so most users will no longer see it there. However, if the Copilot icon is still showing on your Taskbar, here's how to remove it:

1. Right-click on the Copilot icon on the Taskbar.
   
2. Select Unpin from taskbar.

How to terminate, reset, repair, or uninstall Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot

There are two (2) versions of Copilot that you might find installed on your Windows 11 computer:

• Copilot: This is a free, general-purpose AI assistant.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot: This is the paid version of Copilot that operates within Microsoft Office applications.

1. Left-clicking on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on Apps.
4. In the right-hand column, left-click on Installed apps.
5. The right-hand column displays a list of all the installed apps. Find Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot, left-click on the three (3) horizontal dots (...) on the right, and select Advanced options.
   
6. In the right-hand column, you will find buttons that allow you to Terminate, Repair, Reset, and Uninstall.

How to turn off optional data collection in Windows 11

1. Left-clicking on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on Privacy & Security.
4. In the right-hand column, left-click on Diagnostics & feedback.
5. In the Diagnostics & feedback section, you'll see an option called Send optional diagnostic data.
   
6. Left-click the toggle next to Send optional diagnostic data to turn it Off.