Windows 11 AI Features: How to Disable, Hide, or Remove What You Can

Last Updated: junio 1, 2026

TL;DR: Windows 11 includes Copilot, Recall on supported Copilot+ PCs, AI-assisted search, and AI features inside some built-in apps. You can disable, hide, uninstall, or manage many of these experiences, but not every AI-related component should be treated as safely removable on every Windows build. Start with supported Settings, app, privacy, browser, and policy controls; use Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education policy tools only when persistent management is actually needed.

Why You Might Want to Disable Windows 11 AI Features

Microsoft has been adding AI features to Windows 11 across recent releases. While some users appreciate the convenience, many have legitimate reasons to turn these features off:

• Privacy concerns: Features like Recall can save periodic snapshots on supported Copilot+ PCs after you choose to enable them, so privacy and retention controls matter
• Performance: AI features consume system resources — RAM, CPU cycles, and storage space
• Distraction: Copilot popups and AI suggestions can interrupt your workflow
• Corporate policy: Many organizations prohibit AI tools that may process sensitive data
• Personal preference: You simply prefer a clean, traditional Windows experience

Whatever your reason, Windows 11 gives you several supported ways to disable, hide, uninstall, or manage these experiences — though Microsoft doesn’t always make it obvious how.

How to Disable Windows Copilot

Copilot can appear through Windows entry points, the Copilot app, Microsoft Edge, and organization policy. Manage each layer separately instead of assuming one toggle removes every Copilot experience.

Method 1: Unpin from Taskbar (Quick Hide)

This is the simplest approach for hiding the visible entry point. Use app controls or policy for stronger management:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar
2. Click Taskbar settings
3. Toggle Copilot to Off

Method 2: Disable via Group Policy (Windows 11 Pro Only)

This policy route can disable supported Windows Copilot experiences where the policy still applies. Microsoft marks some older Windows Copilot policy behavior as deprecated, so verify against your current Windows build:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter
2. Navigate to: User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Copilot
3. Double-click Turn off Windows Copilot
4. Select Enabled (yes, “Enabled” turns it OFF)
5. Click Apply, then OK
6. Restart your computer

Note: Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Windows 11 Home users need to use the Registry method below.

Method 3: Disable via Registry Editor (All Editions)

For Windows 11 Home users or anyone who prefers the registry approach:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
3. Right-click on Windows, select New → Key, name it WindowsCopilot
4. Right-click in the right pane, select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value
5. Name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot
6. Double-click it and set the value to 1
7. Restart your computer

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot]
"TurnOffWindowsCopilot"=dword:00000001

You can save the above as a .reg file and double-click to apply it automatically.

How to Disable Windows Recall

Recall is available only on supported Copilot+ PCs and uses user-controlled snapshots. Treat it as a snapshot and privacy-control feature: pause or turn off snapshot saving, delete existing snapshots when needed, and use policy only when the device is managed.

Method 1: Turn Off in Settings

1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Recall & snapshots
2. Toggle Save snapshots to Off
3. Click Delete all to remove existing snapshots

Method 2: Disable via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows AI
3. Double-click Turn off Saving Snapshots for Windows
4. Set to Enabled
5. Click Apply and restart

Method 3: Remove Recall Only Through Supported Optional-Feature Controls

If your Windows build exposes Recall as an optional Windows component, use the supported Windows feature or policy controls first. Removing or making Recall unavailable can require a restart, and managed devices may use policy rather than a local toggle.

For source context, use Microsoft Recall guidance and the Microsoft WindowsAI policy source before running administrative commands.

How to Disable AI-Powered Search

Windows 11’s search has been enhanced with AI capabilities, including Bing Chat integration and AI-generated search suggestions. To disable these:

Disable Bing Search in Start Menu

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit)
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
3. Create a new key called Explorer (if it doesn’t exist)
4. Create a new DWORD value: DisableSearchBoxSuggestions
5. Set the value to 1

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"=dword:00000001

Disable Search Highlights

1. Right-click the Taskbar
2. Go to Search → Show search highlights
3. Toggle it Off

Or via Group Policy (Pro only):

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Search
3. Enable Allow search highlights and set to Disabled

How to Disable AI Features in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge comes with its own set of AI features. Even if you’ve disabled Copilot in Windows, Edge has its own AI integrations:

Disable Copilot in Edge

1. Open Edge and go to edge://settings/sidebar
2. Toggle off Copilot
3. Toggle off Show Copilot button on toolbar

Disable AI-Powered Features in Edge

1. Go to edge://settings/privacy
2. Under Services, disable:
   • Suggest similar sites
   • Suggest searches
   • Show suggestions to follow creators in Edge

Via Group Policy (Enterprise Control)

; Disable Copilot in Edge
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"HubsSidebarEnabled"=dword:00000000
"CopilotPageContext"=dword:00000000
"CopilotCDPPageContext"=dword:00000000

How to Disable Paint Cocreator and AI in Built-in Apps

Microsoft has added AI features to several built-in apps. Here’s how to handle them:

Paint Cocreator

• Open Paint → Click the Cocreator icon → Simply don’t use it
• To remove Paint entirely: winget uninstall "Microsoft Paint"
• Reinstall the classic version if needed from the Microsoft Store

Photos App AI Features

• Open Photos → Settings → Disable AI-powered suggestions and enhancements
• The background blur and erase features use on-device AI and don’t send data externally

Notepad AI (Cowriter)

• Open Notepad → Click the Cowriter icon to toggle it off
• Or via Settings within Notepad, disable AI writing assistance

Last-Resort Network Controls for Managed PCs

Network blocks are a last resort, mainly for managed environments with IT ownership. Broad hosts-file blocks can break Bing, Edge, Microsoft Store behavior, sign-in, browser search, or future troubleshooting. Use Settings, app controls, WindowsAI policy, and Edge policy before blocking domains.

Avoid One-Click AI Removal Scripts

A one-click script can be useful only when it is audited, reversible, and tied to the exact Windows build you are managing. For most users, a manual checklist is safer: change one setting at a time, restart, test search/browser/app behavior, and keep a restore point or rollback note.

Why Windows 11 Pro Gives You More Control

Some AI controls are available through normal Settings or app controls on Windows 11 Home. Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education add stronger management routes through Group Policy, MDM policy, domain or work/school management, and more predictable policy enforcement.

Upgrade to Pro only when you actually need persistent policy control, BitLocker management, Remote Desktop host access, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Group Policy, or business/work-school device management. For ordinary personal use, supported Settings and app controls may be enough.

• Group Policy or MDM routes for managed AI controls
• BitLocker controls for privacy-sensitive devices
• Remote Desktop host and admin workflows
• Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and developer workstation testing
• Clearer management after larger Windows feature updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling AI features break Windows 11?

No. Many AI experiences in Windows 11 are optional app features or configurable components. Using supported settings and policy controls should keep core Windows functionality intact, but removing components with untrusted scripts can create avoidable support problems.

Can Windows Update re-enable AI features I’ve disabled?

It’s possible with Settings-level toggles and some registry changes. Policy-based controls on Pro, Enterprise, Education, or managed devices are better for persistent management, but Microsoft can still change control locations and policy behavior across feature updates.

Do AI features in Windows 11 send my data to Microsoft?

Some do. Copilot processes queries through Microsoft’s cloud servers. Microsoft states that Recall snapshots and associated data are stored locally, and that Recall does not share snapshots with Microsoft or third parties. You can still turn off saving snapshots, delete snapshots, and restrict export behavior.

Is there a performance improvement after disabling AI features?

Yes, though the improvement varies by system. Users with 8GB RAM or less typically notice the most difference, as AI features can consume significant memory. Disabling Recall alone can free up several gigabytes of storage.

Can I selectively keep some AI features and disable others?

Absolutely. Each method in this guide targets a specific feature. You can disable Recall for privacy while keeping Copilot for productivity, or vice versa. Mix and match based on your preferences.