How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Turn Off Copilot in Windows 11 (Without the Headaches)

Turning off Copilot in Windows 11 might seem like a big deal, but honestly, it’s a lot simpler than it looks. Whether you want to boost your PC’s speed or just get rid of a feature you find more distracting than helpful, a few easy steps will do the trick. Expect a tidier interface and possibly some extra oomph. Your machine will thank you for not running unnecessary background processes. Here’s how to do it.

Head Over to Settings

First up, open the Start menu and click on the gear icon, or just press Windows + I to jump straight into Settings. No need for any fancy tricks here—this is where most of the magic happens in tweaking Windows.

Find the Apps Section

Once you’re in Settings, look for the Apps option on the left sidebar. Clicking it brings up all the apps and features installed on your system. Copilot is one of those optional bits and pieces, so it should be hiding somewhere in this list.

Dive Into Optional Features

Next, click on Optional Features. This is where most of the extra bits, good and not-so-good, are stored. If you want to get rid of Copilot, it’s listed here. Alternatively, you can type optionalfeatures.exe into the Run box (Windows + R) for a quicker route.

Find and Select Copilot

Scroll through to find Copilot. It can be a bit of a pain if your list is long, so take your time to make sure you’re clicking on the right one. Missed it? No worries—just double-check.

Uninstall Like a Pro

Click on Copilot, then hit the Uninstall button. It’s that simple. You’ll likely get a prompt asking for confirmation, and you might need to approve administrative access. No stress! If you’re comfortable with more advanced tools, you can also open PowerShell and run this command:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "Microsoft.Windows.Copilot" -Online -NoRestart.
After that, restart your PC with shutdown /r /t 0 to make it all stick.

Tips for Smooth Sailing

Before you start, it’s a good idea to back up your system just in case. Use Windows Backup or create a restore point through Control Panel > System > System protection. Keeping Windows up-to-date via Settings > Windows Update is also recommended. After removing Copilot, a quick reboot will help everything run more smoothly. To double-check, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see how your system resources are doing—things should be humming along nicely now.

Common Questions and Concerns

Will turning off Copilot cause issues elsewhere?

Probably not. Copilot is more of a supplementary feature and shouldn’t interfere with your core Windows functions. Think of it as a clutter cleanup rather than a system essential.

Can I bring it back later?

Absolutely! If you decide Copilot actually turns out to be handy, you can reinstall it easily. Just head back to the Optional Features menu or run this PowerShell command:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "MicrosoftWindows.Client.Copilot~~~~0.0.1.0".

Is uninstalling Copilot safe?

Yep, it’s completely safe. No risks to your system’s stability or security. It’s simply a feature you can toggle off or remove.

Will I free up system memory?

Definitely. Since Copilot runs in the background, removing it can free up some valuable resources—especially handy for older or less powerful machines. You can check your memory usage in Task Manager after it’s gone.

How can I be sure it’s really gone?

Just revisit Optional Features. If Copilot no longer appears in the list, congratulations—you’ve done it!

Wrap-Up

Disabling Copilot is pretty straightforward, and the benefits are clear. Say farewell to that pesky feature and enjoy a snappier, cleaner system. Remember, if you change your mind later, re-adding it is just a few clicks or a quick PowerShell command away. Windows 11 is designed to be flexible, so feel free to tweak it to your liking. Hopefully, this saves you some time and spares you a headache.

Open Settings (Windows + I).
Click on Apps.
Go to Optional Features.
Find Copilot.
Click and select Uninstall, or run the PowerShell command:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "Microsoft.Windows.Copilot" -Online -NoRestart.
Restart your PC with Windows + R, type shutdown /r /t 0.

If this guide helps tidy up your system or just settles your mind about what’s running in the background, that’s a win in our book.