Copilot on Windows has changed significantly since its original Windows 11 integration. On current systems it can appear as a Copilot app rather than the older built-in taskbar experience, so the correct way to remove or limit it depends on what is installed on your PC.
Remove Copilot from the Taskbar
If Copilot is pinned to the taskbar, right-click its taskbar icon and unpin it. This removes the shortcut but does not necessarily uninstall the app.
Uninstall the Copilot App
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Copilot or the Copilot entry present on the PC.
- Open its menu and choose Uninstall if Windows offers that option.
- Confirm the removal.
If Copilot Starts Automatically
Review Settings > Apps > Startup and the Copilot app’s own settings for an automatic-start option. Available controls can change as Microsoft updates the app.
Work or School PCs
Organizations can manage Copilot availability through administrative policies and Microsoft 365 controls. If the PC is managed, settings may be locked or Copilot may be configured by your administrator.
Why Older Copilot Instructions Can Be Wrong
Early Windows 11 versions exposed Copilot through Windows shell and taskbar settings that have since changed. Microsoft now says the legacy Turn Off Windows Copilot policy is headed for deprecation for the consumer Copilot app, so old registry or policy instructions should not be treated as the primary method for current systems.
Summary
On a current Windows 11 PC, first determine whether Copilot is installed as an app. You can unpin its shortcut, disable automatic startup when available, or uninstall the app when Windows provides that option. Managed PCs may use organization-level controls instead.