How to Get Rid of Copilot on Windows and Other Devices

“Copilot” can refer to several Microsoft features: the Copilot app, a Windows taskbar button, Copilot in Microsoft Edge, or an assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps. Removing one does not necessarily remove the others. The safest approach is to identify where it appears, use the supported controls for that version, and avoid registry edits or unofficial removal scripts.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC or the device where Copilot appears, plus permission to change its settings.
A few minutes to check the relevant app or system settings. Menu names can vary slightly by version and device.
If the device is managed by a school or workplace, access to its IT administrator; some settings may be controlled by policy.

Step-by-Step

Identify which Copilot you want to remove. Note where it appears: on the Windows taskbar, in the Start menu or installed-app list, in Edge, or inside an app such as Word. Also distinguish the Copilot app from Windows features labeled Copilot or an in-app assistant. Removing an icon is different from uninstalling an app, and neither necessarily changes other integrations.
Unpin the taskbar icon if you only want it out of sight. On Windows, right-click the Copilot taskbar icon and choose Unpin from taskbar if that option appears. You can also open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and switch off a Copilot button or related taskbar item if your version provides one. Menu paths may differ slightly by version. Unpinning hides the shortcut; it does not uninstall Copilot.
Check whether Windows offers an uninstall option. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (the wording may vary), search for “Copilot,” and open its menu. If Uninstall is available, select it and confirm. You can also check the Start menu: right-click the Copilot app and select Uninstall if shown. If neither route offers that command, do not force removal with a script or system-file change. Some built-in features or managed installations cannot be uninstalled through ordinary settings.
Turn off Windows Copilot controls when available. Look in Windows Settings for a Copilot or personalization option, and switch off the relevant control if present. The location and availability depend on the Windows edition, device, and configuration. On a work or school computer, an administrator may manage this setting. If you cannot find a control, use the supported option your version provides, such as hiding the taskbar button, rather than assuming a hidden setting exists.
Remove or hide Copilot in Microsoft Edge separately. Open Edge settings and search within Settings for “Copilot” or “sidebar.” If your version offers a control to show or hide Copilot or its sidebar button, turn it off. Edge’s menus can change slightly between versions. This affects the Edge interface only; it does not uninstall the Windows Copilot app or necessarily remove other AI features in the browser.
Check Microsoft 365 apps one at a time. If Copilot appears in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or another Microsoft 365 app, open that app’s settings and search for Copilot or connected experiences. Turn off an available feature only if the setting clearly describes what it controls. Some controls depend on the account type or organization policy, and an app may not provide a user-facing switch. Contact your administrator if it is a managed account.
Restart and verify the result. Close the affected app or restart Windows, then check the same location. Confirm whether the app is gone, its button is hidden, or only the specific integration is disabled. If Copilot remains in another app, repeat the relevant app-specific steps; one change does not apply everywhere.

Common Mistakes

Confusing unpinning with removal: Unpinning removes a shortcut from the taskbar, not the app or service.
Expecting one switch to cover everything: Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365 can have separate Copilot controls.
Using instructions for a different Windows version: A setting shown in an online guide may not exist on your edition or device. Check the controls available on your own system.
Using unofficial scripts or registry changes: These can alter unrelated Windows behavior, cause problems during updates, or violate workplace device policies. Prefer Settings and app-provided controls.
Assuming an account feature is the same as an installed app: Hiding an app button does not necessarily change account access or features supplied through a work or school subscription.

Tips

Decide whether your goal is to hide the icon, stop a particular integration, or uninstall an app. Choose the least disruptive option that meets that goal.
Use the Settings search box for “Copilot” when a guide’s menu path does not match your screen. Search results may expose controls available on your version.
Make one change at a time and check the result before changing another app. This makes it easier to undo a setting if you disable something you still use.
For a shared or managed PC, ask the administrator before changing organization settings. Some options are intentionally locked.

Troubleshooting

There is no Uninstall button: The item may be built into Windows, managed by your organization, or not installed as a separate app. Hide its shortcut or turn off an available setting instead. Do not remove system components manually.

The icon returns after an update or sign-in: Check whether it was repinned or whether a policy is restoring it. Repeat the supported taskbar change, and contact IT if the device is managed. Hiding an icon does not prevent Windows or an administrator from restoring it.

Copilot still appears in Edge or Office: You likely changed a different Copilot component. Search that app’s settings and review its own controls; app-specific integrations are separate.

A setting is greyed out or missing: Your Windows edition, app version, account, or administrator policy may not expose it. Update the app through its normal update settings if appropriate, or ask the device administrator. Avoid applying registry instructions intended for a different configuration.

You removed the wrong thing: Reinstall an app only from its official Microsoft Store listing or restore a setting from the same menu where you changed it. If you are unsure what was removed, stop making system changes and ask your administrator or Microsoft Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely remove Copilot from Windows?

Not every Windows version or device offers a supported uninstall option. If Copilot appears in Installed apps and Windows provides Uninstall, you can use it; otherwise, hide the shortcut or turn off an available control.

Does unpinning Copilot uninstall it?

No. Unpinning removes the taskbar shortcut but leaves the app or feature installed. Use the installed-app settings to check whether uninstalling is supported.

Will removing the Windows Copilot app remove Copilot from Edge?

Not necessarily. Edge has its own interface and settings, so check Edge separately. Microsoft 365 apps may also have separate Copilot controls.

Can I disable Copilot on a work or school computer?

Possibly, but an administrator may control the setting. Ask your organization’s IT team rather than trying to bypass a device policy.

Why can’t I find the same setting shown in a guide?

Settings and menus vary by Windows edition, app version, device, and account. Search within the app’s settings for “Copilot,” and use only controls that are actually available on your device.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.