How to Enable and Disable Copilot on Windows 11
The dawning of access to AI in late 2022 for us regular folks has resulted in the meteoric rise in popularity of cloud based AI platforms, and more recently AI PCs. This new era of AI-enhanced computing has brought many advantages to PC users of all stripes. From streamlining accounting for SMBs to helping high school students with tricky homework assignments, the applications of AI chatbots and assistants from ChatGPT to Copilot are many.
While Copilot is a useful tool most of the time, there may be occasions when you don’t want AI assistance, and simply want to get on with the task. Well, if you’ve got a PC with Windows 11 and Copilot and you’re wondering how to enable or even disable Copilot, then you’re in the right place. Read on to discover more about this increasingly ubiquitous AI assistant, how to enable Copilot, and disable Copilot in Windows 11.
What is Copilot?
To begin with, let’s clear up a few nuances of Copilot nomenclature and heritage: Copilot was originally released by GitHub in 2021 as an AI-powered code completion tool for software developers. The Copilot embedded in Windows 11 we know today first rode into town in 2023 as an AI assistant in the Windows operating system to enhance overall productivity. Perchance you may have heard of Cortana and Bing Chat -these were both predecessors to today’s Copilot.
Copilot is an AI assistant embedded in the Windows 11 operating system. Before we delve into the details, note that Copilot is not the same as Copilot+ PCs, although, slightly confusingly, this new breed of AI PCs does include Copilot, as well as a dedicated Copilot key to summon the AI butler! Enough about Copilot+, let’s get back to topic!
Microsoft invites you to think of Copilot as your everyday AI companion, a C-3PO type character integrated into Windows 11, accessible through the taskbar. Accessed via a handy chat interface, Copilot uses Microsoft’s swiftly evolving AI tech to provide assistance with a wide range of tasks through natural language processing, real-time suggestions, and of course, task automation.
Simply type your question or task into the chat interface, and Copilot can help you to generate content, set reminders, organize calendars, and much more. Copilot provides AI-enhanced productivity across the Microsoft productivity apps like Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams to support your daily operations.
As well as the integrated version in Windows 11, Copilot is also available as an app for your phone. There are currently several freemium and paid tiers of Copilot service out there: in Windows 11 it’s free to use, as it is on the internet, in the Edge browser and as a mobile app, but requires a monthly fee to use the version integrated with Microsoft 365 apps. For $20 a month, you can get Copilot Pro for accelerated Copilot performance, faster AI image creation, and access to Copilot in Word, Excel (Preview), PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
What are the benefits?
Think of any task that you do on your PC, chances are that Copilot in Windows 11 can improve your productivity and performance. Designed to increase the intuitiveness and efficiency of computing, Copilot can both simplify and enhance how you handle tasks. Let’s consider some everyday examples:
- Searches: Tired of trawling through page after page of search results failing to find the information you need in a hurry? Copilot for Windows 11 improves internet and in-device searches by providing smart suggestions, advanced filtering, and contextual relevance for a unified search experience. Put simply, you’ll be able to find and locate the relevant things you require with minimal hassle thanks to Copilot’s intuitive searches.
- Streamlined workflow: The beauty of AI lies in its ability to remove the pain from repetitive tasks. Copilot can literally be your copilot by automating repetitive tasks and complex processes that otherwise would require hours of your precious time. In Excel, for example, Copilot can create and manage macros, automating receptive tasks like data formatting, sorting, and batch processing. Another welcome feature is generating Charts and PivotTables by analysing your data and recommending visualizations and summaries.
- Smart summaries: In the modern workplace, many of us lack the time to read every word of every single document or email that lands on our desk or in our inbox. Copilot can be your content analyst, editorial assistant and summarizer! Processing large chunks of text has never been easier, thanks to Copilot’s ability to provide a concise overview, while highlighting crucial points in any text. Note also, that Copilot supports a growing range of languages, from Danish to Thai!
How to enable Copilot in Windows 11
Depending on your computer, there are a few different ways to enable Copilot in Windows 11. If you have a Copilot+ PC, or a PC with a Copilot hotkey, simply hit this key to fire up Copilot. Bear in mind that most Windows 11 devices today have Copilot automatically enabled. If, for some reason you don’t have it enabled, or you’ve turned it off, simply follow the steps below. Even if you don’t have a PC with a Copilot hotkey, it's still a breeze to enable Copilot in Windows 11. First, ensure you have the latest version of Windows 11, then:
- Click Start and Open Settings
- Click Personalization > Taskbar
- Toggle Windows Copilot to On
Why would I want to disable Copilot?
At times, even the Lone Ranger needs to ride alone. Some users may decide that they don’t want Copilot’s constant suggestions and automation. Others may find Copilot’s micromanagement and prompts interrupt their workflow. Perhaps you require a work environment that’s free from distractions? Or maybe you’re just prone to rage against the machine? These are all sensible reasons for disabling Copilot on your PC.
Another concern is privacy. Copilot, by its very nature, needs to access various applications on your computer and process your information. For users with data privacy concerns, disabling Copilot may be a necessary step in maintaining a secure computing environment.
How to disable Copilot?
If you’ve decided that Copilot is not for you, and it's time to furlough your AI assistant, then disabling Copilot is easy. Please note though, that while Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise versions allow access to Group Policy Editor, the Home Edition that most people run does not permit access. For Windows 11 Home users, you’ll need to follow these instructions to access Group Policy Editor. Proceed at your own risk, as this could open your PC to security vulnerabilities, or lead to unintentional changes to your configurations. Remember, you are actually enabling the policy to disable Copilot, so ensure you click Enabled, Apply, and OK to completely disable Copilot:
- Click Start and search for gpedit
- Open Group policy editor
- Navigate to User configuration > Administrative templates > Windows components > Windows Copilot
- Double click Turn off Windows Copilot
- Click Enabled, then click Apply, then click OK
- Finally, restart your PC for the changes to take effect
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed the article on how to enable and disable Copilot on Windows 11. Whether you’ve got a shiny (or matt) new Copilot+ PC, or you’re running Windows 11 on a device with a bit more vintage, be sure to check out how Copilot can assist you in your everyday and more specialised computing tasks. Either way, before you make the (reversible) decision to disable Copilot, do take it for a test drive to experience the power of Microsoft’s AI assistant.
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Edmund is an English copywriter based in New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is a widely published writer and translator with two decades of experience in the field of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.
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