How to Turn Off Copilot in Windows 11 (App, Copilot Key, Recall and Edge)
Copilot shows up in several places in Windows 11. Here's how to remove or switch off each one, and which extra controls need Windows 11 Pro.
To turn off Copilot in Windows 11, uninstall the Copilot app from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, unpin it from the taskbar, and remap the Copilot key under Settings > Personalization > Text input. On Copilot+ PCs, make sure Recall stays off, and in Microsoft Edge turn off Copilot Mode and hide the Copilot button.
Copilot lives in several separate places, so each needs its own step. Here’s the full list.
Where Copilot shows up in Windows 11
| Copilot feature | How to turn it off | Home | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Copilot app | Uninstall in Settings | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot app | Uninstall in Settings | Yes | Yes |
| Copilot key on the keyboard | Remap in Settings | Yes | Yes |
| Recall (Copilot+ PCs only) | Keep off or remove in Settings / Windows Features | Yes | Yes |
| Copilot in Edge | Edge settings | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic removal by policy | Group Policy “Remove Microsoft Copilot app” | Registry only | Yes |
1. Uninstall the Copilot app
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for Copilot.
- Click the three dots next to Copilot and choose Uninstall.
- Repeat for Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly the Microsoft 365 or Office app) if you don’t use it. Note that this app is also the launcher for Word, Excel and other Office apps on some PCs, so keep it if you rely on it.
Then right-click the Copilot icon on the taskbar and choose Unpin from taskbar. Unpinning on its own only hides the shortcut; it doesn’t remove the app.
Some users report that Copilot can reappear after a major Windows update. If it does, uninstall it again. You can reinstall it any time from the Microsoft Store.
2. Remap the Copilot key
Many newer laptops have a dedicated Copilot key. On Windows 11 version 24H2 and later (with the November 2024 update or newer), you can change what it does:
- Open Settings > Personalization > Text input.
- Find Customize Copilot key on keyboard.
- Choose Search to open Windows Search, or Custom to pick another app.
The Custom list only shows apps that meet Microsoft’s packaging requirements, so not every program will appear. If you don’t see the setting at all, install the latest updates from Settings > Windows Update.
3. Keep Recall off (Copilot+ PCs)
Recall takes regular snapshots of your screen so you can search for things you’ve seen. It’s available only on Copilot+ PCs, and Microsoft made it opt-in: if you didn’t choose to turn it on during setup, it isn’t saving snapshots.
To check or turn it off:
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
- Switch off Save snapshots.
- Select Delete snapshots to remove anything already saved.
Microsoft has said Recall can also be removed entirely through Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, by clearing the Recall box and restarting. On work or school PCs, Recall is off by default and controlled by your IT department.
4. Turn off Copilot in Microsoft Edge
- In Edge, open Settings from the three-dot menu.
- Go to the AI settings page. Depending on your version it’s called Copilot and AI or AI innovations (you can also type
edge://settings/aiin the address bar). - Switch off Copilot Mode if it’s on.
- Turn off Show Copilot button on the toolbar and any setting that lets Copilot access page content.
Copilot answers that appear in Bing search results are part of Bing and can’t be switched off from Edge. You can change your default search engine in Edge settings if you prefer.
5. For Windows 11 Pro: remove Copilot by policy
Microsoft added a Remove Microsoft Copilot app Group Policy in 2026. It’s aimed at managed PCs and has conditions: reports say the app is removed only after it hasn’t been opened for about 28 days, and users can reinstall it. Sources disagree on where the policy sits in the Group Policy Editor and on which editions are officially supported, so check the current Microsoft Learn documentation before relying on it. The older “Turn off Windows Copilot” policy is reported to no longer work with the current app.
Windows 11 Home doesn’t include the Group Policy Editor. Equivalent registry settings exist, but editing the registry incorrectly can cause problems, so back up first and only do it if you’re comfortable. For most home users, uninstalling the app is enough.
6. If you keep Copilot: limit data use
If you’d rather keep Copilot but control your data, open Copilot’s Settings > Privacy (or your profile > Privacy on the web) and turn off Model training on text and Model training on voice. According to Microsoft’s Copilot privacy controls page, the change can take up to 30 days to apply across its systems.
Bottom line
Uninstalling the Copilot app and remapping the key handles what most people notice. Check that Recall is off on a Copilot+ PC, and tidy up Edge separately. If your PC still feels sluggish afterward, our guide to speeding up Windows 11 covers the bigger wins.
FAQ
Is it safe to uninstall Copilot?
Yes. It’s a regular app, and Windows works normally without it. You can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store later.
Does uninstalling Copilot remove Copilot from Word and Excel?
No. Copilot features inside Microsoft 365 apps depend on your subscription and are controlled from within those apps.
Can I make the Copilot key open ChatGPT or another app?
If the app appears in the Custom list under Customize Copilot key on keyboard, yes. Apps that don’t meet Microsoft’s requirements won’t be listed.
Is Recall on my PC if it isn’t a Copilot+ PC?
No. Recall requires a Copilot+ PC with a compatible NPU. On other PCs, there’s nothing to turn off.
