Where to find the Copilot off switch depends on which version you're running

Microsoft Copilot can be disabled in several places: the Windows taskbar, Microsoft Edge, Windows 11 settings, and individual Microsoft apps like Word or Excel. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to hide it from view, turn it off entirely, or remove it from a specific application. Most users can disable it in under two minutes once they know where to look.

If you're running Windows 11 version 23H2 or later, you have the most control. Older versions of Windows 10 may not have Copilot at all, or may have limited options to disable it. Check your Windows version by pressing the Windows key, typing "winver", and pressing Enter to see what you're working with.

Key Takeaways

  • The Copilot button on the Windows taskbar can be hidden by right-clicking it and selecting "Unpin from taskbar".
  • In Windows 11 Settings, you can disable Copilot entirely by going to System > Notifications & actions and toggling off "Copilot".
  • Microsoft Edge has its own Copilot toggle in Settings > Sidebar, separate from the Windows system setting.
  • Individual Microsoft apps like Word and Excel have Copilot toggles in their own settings menus, usually under "General" or "Privacy".
  • Disabling Copilot in Windows does not automatically disable it in Edge or other apps — each one must be turned off separately.

Removing Copilot from the Windows taskbar

The Copilot icon appears as a circle with a sparkle in the Windows 11 taskbar by default. Right-click on it directly and select "Unpin from taskbar". The icon will disappear immediately, though Copilot itself remains installed and can still be opened through other routes.

This is the quickest fix if you simply want it out of sight. It does not disable Copilot — it only removes the shortcut. If you later want to access Copilot, you can still open it by pressing Windows key + C on your keyboard.

Disabling Copilot in Windows 11 Settings

To turn off Copilot at the system level in Windows 11, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to System, then scroll down and select "Notifications & actions". Look for the toggle labeled "Copilot" and switch it off.

After you toggle it off, the Copilot button will no longer respond to the Windows key + C shortcut, and Copilot will not appear in search results or other Windows features. However, this setting does not affect Copilot in Microsoft Edge or in individual Microsoft apps — those must be disabled separately.

If you do not see a Copilot toggle in Notifications & actions, your version of Windows may not support system-level Copilot control yet. In that case, you can still disable it in Edge and individual apps.

Turning off Copilot in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has its own Copilot feature in the sidebar, separate from Windows Copilot. Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select "Settings", then go to "Sidebar" in the left menu. Under "Sidebar", find the toggle for "Copilot" and turn it off.

You can also right-click the Copilot icon in the Edge sidebar (if it appears) and select "Turn off". Either method will hide the Copilot panel from Edge. If you later want to re-enable it, you can return to the same Settings menu and toggle it back on.

Disabling Copilot in Word, Excel, and other Microsoft apps

Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook each have their own Copilot features that operate independently. In Word or Excel, click "File" in the top left, then select "Options" (or "Settings" in newer versions). Look for "Privacy" or "General" in the left sidebar. Find the Copilot toggle and turn it off.

In Outlook, the process is similar: go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options, and look for Copilot controls there. The exact menu path varies slightly between apps and versions, so if you cannot find it in the first location, use the search function within Settings to search for "Copilot".

Disabling Copilot in one Microsoft app does not disable it in others. If you use multiple Microsoft applications and want Copilot off everywhere, you will need to repeat this step in each app.

Using Group Policy to disable Copilot (Windows Pro and Enterprise only)

If you are using Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition, you can disable Copilot through Group Policy, which applies the setting across your entire system more forcefully than the Settings menu. Press Windows key + R, type "gpedit.msc", and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.

Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot. Double-click "Turn off Windows Copilot" and select "Enabled". Click "Apply" and "OK". This setting will prevent Copilot from running even if someone tries to re-enable it through Settings.

Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 do not have Group Policy Editor built in. If you are on Home edition, the Settings menu method described earlier is your main option.

What happens after you disable Copilot

Disabling Copilot does not free up significant storage space or improve performance noticeably — Copilot is a relatively small feature. It simply stops the feature from running and removes it from your interface. You can re-enable it at any time by reversing the steps above.

If you disable Copilot in Windows but later install a major Windows update, the update may re-enable it. You may need to turn it off again after updating. Disabling it through Group Policy (on Pro and Enterprise editions) is more persistent across updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Copilot in Windows also disable it in Edge?

No. Windows Copilot and Edge Copilot are separate features with separate settings. You must disable each one independently. Turning off Copilot in Windows Settings does not affect Edge or Microsoft apps.

Can I uninstall Copilot completely instead of just disabling it?

Copilot cannot be uninstalled through the normal Add/Remove Programs menu because it is built into Windows. You can only disable it. On Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, Group Policy provides the strongest disable option.

If I disable Copilot, will I lose access to other AI features in Microsoft apps?

Disabling Copilot specifically turns off the Copilot feature. Some Microsoft apps have other AI-powered features (like Designer in Word) that operate separately. Those features have their own toggles in app settings.

Does Copilot collect data even when it is disabled?

When Copilot is disabled through Settings or Group Policy, it does not run. However, if you are concerned about data collection more broadly, review your privacy settings in Windows Settings > Privacy & security and in individual app settings, which control what data Microsoft collects regardless of Copilot status.

What if the Copilot toggle does not appear in my Settings?

Your version of Windows may be older than the version that includes Copilot controls. Check your Windows version by pressing Windows key + Pause/Break, or by typing "winver" in the search box. Windows 11 version 23H2 and later have the most complete Copilot controls.