Windows 10: Microsoft adds Copilot to the Windows 11 context menu, but you can disable it

Microsoft is finding new ways to promote its AI assistant, Copilot. A new update to the Copilot app for Windows has added a shortcut in the right-click context menu.

Users will now find an option labeled 'Ask Copilot' when they right-click on a file, which has been designed to make it easier to access the AI's features.



However, the integration of this new feature has sparked a backlash from many Windows 11 users. The context menu, once a streamlined hub of shortcuts for regular actions, is progressively becoming cluttered with entries that some find unnecessary. The 'Ask Copilot' option is viewed by users as "yet another Copilot option that nobody asked for".

Even more frustratingly, there is no direct way to disable this "Ask Copilot" shortcut, but there are a couple of workarounds. Users who don't wish to use Copilot at all can simply uninstall the app. Users who may want to use Copilot, but don't need the shortcut, will need to edit an entry in the Windows Registry to remove it from File Explorer.

The instructions spotted on ElevenForum by Neowin explains how to do this.

1. Save the following content as a text file using Notepad.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{CB3B0003-8088-4EDE-8769-8B354AB2FF8C}"=-

2. Change the file's extension from .txt to .reg. For example, if you named it Copilot.txt, rename it to Copilot.reg.

3. Then, double-click on the reg file, and confirm the action. This will remove the Ask Copilot shortcut from the context menu, but you will need to restart the computer to apply the changes.

Microsoft recently added an AI Agent to the Settings app. Recall is now available for Copilot+ PCs, clearly there are more AI features that are coming to Windows 11, regardless of whether users like them or not.

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How to disable copilot in Windows 11 23H2?

There is a solution to keep Copilot out of your eyesight, it does not permanently remove or uninstall Copilot from your Windows 11 environment. Microsoft is persistent and Copilot is inevitable, not to mention the latest computers are equipped with a dedicated Copilot Key in the keyboard. Hence, it is up to us to get used to this feature, and also the field of AI is exponentially increasing, so it is better to get used to it. However, the simple solution is to disable copilot via Taskbar as you mentioned that Policy Editor didn't help. The following are the steps.

• Go to Windows Settings.
  
• Click on Personalization.
  
• Under Taskbar, you can find Copilot (preview)
  
• Toggle the switch to Off.
  
• In this way, Copilot can be kept out of sight.
  

I hope the same works for you.

 

How to disable copilot in Windows 11 23H2?

I recently noticed that Copilot is active on my Windows 11 PC running version 23H2, and I want to disable copilot in my windows 11. Despite following various guides, I'm still unable to turn it off. I tried navigating through the settings, but the option to disable Copilot seems to be missing. I also checked for any updates that might address this issue, but nothing seems to work. It's becoming frustrating because Copilot is interfering with my usual workflow, popping up at inconvenient times and slowing down my system.

I've even attempted to disable it via Group Policy Editor and registry tweaks, as suggested in some forums, but to no avail. The Copilot feature persists, making my user experience less than ideal. It's crucial for me to have a streamlined and efficient system for my work, and this issue is becoming a significant hindrance. I rely heavily on my PC for my professional tasks, and these disruptions are affecting my productivity.

Additionally, I've reached out to Microsoft support, but the solutions provided have not resolved the issue. I've tried restarting my PC, performing clean boots, and even reinstalling some components, but Copilot remains active. It's clear that this problem requires a more in-depth solution than what's available through standard troubleshooting steps.

 

Microsoft plans to bring Copilot to Windows 10

Read more: Exclusive: Microsoft will update Windows 10 with new AI Copilot soon | Windows Central See also: Announcing Microsoft Copilot, your everyday AI companion | Windows 11 Forum