Copilot is not built into Windows 10, but you may see it anyway

Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant, does not come with Windows 10 by default. If you are seeing a Copilot button or icon on your taskbar or in your Start menu, it arrived through a Windows Update or was added by your device manufacturer. You can remove it in a few minutes by unchecking a single setting or uninstalling the app entirely.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether Copilot appears as a taskbar button, a Start menu tile, or a standalone app. This guide covers all three.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot in Windows 10 is optional and can be removed without affecting your system.
  • If Copilot appears as a taskbar button, right-click it and select "Unpin from taskbar" to remove it immediately.
  • If it appears as a Start menu tile, right-click the tile and choose "Unpin from Start" to hide it.
  • If you want to prevent Copilot from reappearing after updates, you can disable it through Settings or Group Policy.
  • Removing Copilot does not affect Windows 10 performance or any other features.

Remove Copilot from your taskbar

The quickest way to get rid of Copilot is to unpin it from your taskbar if that is where it appears. Look for the Copilot icon — it looks like a small diamond shape — in your taskbar at the bottom of your screen.

Right-click the Copilot icon. A small menu will appear. Click "Unpin from taskbar". The icon will disappear immediately. This is the fastest solution if Copilot is only bothering you in one location.

Remove Copilot from your Start menu

If Copilot appears as a tile in your Start menu instead of the taskbar, the removal process is similar. Open your Start menu by pressing the Windows key or clicking the Windows icon in the bottom left corner.

Look for a Copilot tile in your Start menu. Right-click it. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Unpin from Start". The tile will be removed from your Start menu immediately. You can still access Copilot later if you change your mind — unpinning just hides it from view.

Uninstall Copilot completely

If you want to remove Copilot entirely rather than just hiding it, you can uninstall it through your Settings. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Settings".

In Settings, go to Apps on the left side, then click Apps and features. Scroll down through the list of installed programs until you find "Copilot" or "Microsoft Copilot". Click it once to select it, then click the three dots that appear next to it. Select "Uninstall". Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Uninstall" again. The app will be removed.

After uninstalling, restart your computer to make sure the change takes effect completely. Copilot will not reappear unless you manually reinstall it or it comes back through a future Windows Update.

Prevent Copilot from returning after updates

Windows Updates occasionally reinstall Copilot or add it back to your taskbar. If you want to block this from happening, you can disable Copilot through Group Policy — a Windows tool that controls system settings.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. This opens Group Policy Editor. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot. Look for the setting called "Turn off Windows Copilot". Double-click it, select "Enabled", and click "OK".

Close Group Policy Editor and restart your computer. This setting will prevent Copilot from being installed or enabled by future updates. If you ever want to re-enable Copilot, return to this same location and set it back to "Not Configured".

Note: Group Policy Editor is available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If you are using Windows 10 Home, this option is not available to you — uninstalling through Settings is your best option.

What to do if Copilot keeps coming back

Some device manufacturers pre-install Copilot and set it to reinstall automatically. If Copilot reappears after you remove it, check your manufacturer's support website for instructions on disabling their version. Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other brands sometimes include their own Copilot management tools.

You can also check Windows Update settings to see if updates are reinstalling it. Open Settings, go to Update and Security, then Advanced options. Look for any settings related to optional updates and make sure they are not automatically installing Copilot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Copilot slow down my computer?

No. Copilot uses very little system resources when it is not in use, and removing it will not noticeably improve performance. The main reason to remove it is if you simply do not want it visible or do not plan to use it.

Can I turn Copilot back on after I uninstall it?

Yes. You can reinstall it through the Microsoft Store or by running Windows Update. You can also re-enable it through Group Policy if you disabled it that way. Removing Copilot is not permanent.

Is Copilot the same as Cortana?

No. Cortana is an older voice assistant that was built into Windows 10. Copilot is a newer AI assistant based on ChatGPT technology. They are separate programs and can be managed independently.

What if I do not see Copilot anywhere on my computer?

Copilot is not installed on all Windows 10 systems by default. If you do not see it, you do not need to remove it. It may arrive in a future update, but you can remove it at that time using the steps above.

Does disabling Copilot affect Windows Search?

No. Windows Search and Copilot are separate features. Disabling or removing Copilot will not change how Windows Search works.