Windows 11 introduced Copilot as a built-in AI assistant designed to help users streamline tasks. While that sounds great in theory, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Personally, I prefer having a more minimalistic setup where I’m in full control. If you're like me and find Copilot a bit too intrusive or simply unnecessary, disabling it can bring back that cleaner, distraction-free Windows experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through multiple ways to disable Windows 11 Copilot, step by step. Plus, I’ll also introduce you to WPS Office, a powerful alternative for productivity that doesn’t rely on built-in AI systems. Let’s dive in.
How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11 Using Settings
If you’re using the Home edition of Windows 11 or just want a quick and simple fix, turning off Copilot via the Settings app is your best option. It’s easy to follow, and you don’t need any technical background to get it done.
Step 1: Firstly, press “Windows + I” on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Look for the “Privacy” option on the menu and click on it.
Step 3: Once it opens, look towards the left of your screen, scroll down and click on “Activity History”.
Step 4: Then look for the option that says “Allow Windows to show me suggestions from Copilot” and toggle it off.
That’s it! Once you’ve completed these steps, Copilot will no longer show up with its AI-based recommendations. Your desktop will feel lighter and less cluttered—more like the Windows experience you’re used to.
How to Turn Off Copilot Using Group Policy Editor
For users running Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, the Group Policy Editor gives you more advanced control. I’ve used this method when configuring work laptops that I didn’t want constantly pinging with AI popups.
This route is perfect if you manage multiple systems or just want a more permanent solution.
Step 1: First press “Win + R” on your keyboard.
Step 2: As the run screen appears, type gpedit.msc in front of ‘open:’ , and press OK.
Step 3: Once you're in the Group Policy Editor, head over to “Computer Configuration”, then click on “Administrative Templates”, go to “Windows Components”, and finally, open the Copilot section.
Step 4: On the top right of your screen, look for the Turn off Windows Copilot option and double click it to open a new screen.
Step 5: Once the new screen appears, select Enabled, then click Apply, and then OK.
Keep in mind, you’ll need administrative privileges for this method. It works great across devices, especially in professional or educational settings where a consistent interface is necessary.
How to Disable Copilot with Registry Editor
Now, if you're on the Windows 11 Home edition and want a deeper system-level solution, the Registry Editor is your go-to. I’ll be honest, this method is more technical, but it’s super effective. Just make sure to proceed with caution and back up your registry before making changes.
Step 1: First, Press “Win + R” on your keyboard which will make the Run screen appear on your desktop screen.
Step 2: Type “regedit” in front of ‘Open:’, and hit OK to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: As the new screen appears, navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Copilot. (If the Windows Copilot folder doesn’t exist, right-click on Windows > New > Key, and name it Windows Copilot.)
Step 4: Inside Windows Copilot, right-click on the empty space and select “New” and as drop down options appear, select “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
Step 5: Name this new value Disable Copilot.
Step 6: Double-click on this new value and set the value to 1 under the Value Data option.
Step 7: Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
Once your system reboots, Copilot will be disabled at the registry level. This is especially useful if you want to make sure it stays off, even after updates.
How to Use WPS Office as an Alternative to Windows 11’s Copilot for Productivity
Let’s face it, sometimes you don’t need an AI assistant. You just need reliable tools to get your work done. That’s where WPS Office steps in. I’ve been using it for a while now, especially on days when Windows updates slow everything down or when Copilot starts suggesting things I don’t need.
WPS Office is lightweight, efficient, and fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. Whether I’m editing Word docs or crunching numbers in spreadsheets, WPS gets the job done, without the noise.
Steps to Download and Set Up WPS Office:
Step 1: Go to the official WPS Office website on your browser.
Step 2: Look for the “Free Download” option which appears somewhere in the middle of your screen, click it and it will start installing on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Step 3: Go to “Downloads" on the top right of your screen, look for the downloaded file and click on it, then follow the instructions on-screen.
Step 4: Once the app is installed, simply open your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents. These options appear on the left of your WPS app screen.
Step 5: Start working seamlessly, with no interruptions from AI tools or OS-level suggestions.
Why Choose WPS Office:
It fully supports Microsoft Office file types (like .docx, .xlsx, .pptx).
You can open and save files from network drives—great for teams.
Built-in cloud storage makes file access across devices a breeze.
It’s free for basic use and surprisingly fast even on older machines.
Personally, I’ve found WPS Office to be a game-changer. It loads faster than Microsoft Office, doesn’t bog down system resources, and keeps me focused. Plus, there’s no Copilot constantly popping up to suggest features I didn’t ask for.
FAQs
Q1: Can I completely remove Copilot from Windows 11?
No, Copilot is a built-in feature and can’t be uninstalled. But using the methods above, you can effectively disable it and stop it from running in the background.
Q2: Will disabling Copilot improve system performance?
Yes, while the change may not be massive, turning off Copilot can reduce background activity, which in turn frees up system resources and may result in a smoother experience.
Q3: Can I still use other AI features after disabling Copilot?
Absolutely. Disabling Copilot doesn’t affect tools like Cortana, Windows Hello, or third-party AI tools you may have installed.
Summary
If Copilot in Windows 11 isn’t for you, turning it off is straightforward, it doesn't matter if you’re using the Settings app, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor. Each method caters to different levels of technical comfort and system access, so you can pick what works best for your setup. And while you’re at it, consider switching to WPS Office for your productivity needs. It’s efficient, clean, and offers everything you need to stay on top of your work, without depending on built-in AI tools. For me, WPS Office has been a solid companion, especially when I want to keep things simple and distraction-free. If you’re looking to take back control of your Windows environment, these steps are a great place to start.
