Applies to: Windows 10 version 22H2 (build 19045) where Copilot has been enabled by Microsoft. If you don’t see Copilot at all, it may not be available for your region/device or your organization may already have it turned off.
Goal: Remove the Copilot button and prevent Copilot from launching on Windows 10—either on this device or across your organization.
Before you start
- Account type: You’ll need an administrator account for Group Policy and Registry methods.
- Back up first: Important: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Create a restore point first with the steps in 3 ways to create a restore point in Windows 10 and, if needed, 2 ways to enable System Restore.
- Home vs Pro: Local Group Policy Editor is available on Pro/Enterprise/Education. Use the Registry method on Home.
Method 1 — Hide the Copilot button (quickest)
This hides the icon but doesn’t prevent Copilot from launching via shortcuts.
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Click Taskbar settings. See How to customize the taskbar in Windows 10 if you need help finding these options.
- Turn Off or Uncheck Copilot (preview) / Show Copilot button.
Tip: If the button doesn’t disappear immediately, sign out and back in or restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager. If you’re not sure how to open it, see [How to open Task Manager in Windows 10].
Method 2 — Turn off Copilot with Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)
This blocks Copilot, removing the button and preventing launch.
- Press Win+R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter. If you need a refresher, see How to open the Local Group Policy Editor and What is the Local Group Policy Editor.
- Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Copilot.
- Open Turn off Windows Copilot → set to Enabled → OK.
- Run gpupdate /force in an elevated Command Prompt or sign out/in.
Method 3 — Turn off Copilot via Registry (works on all editions)
This enforces the same block with a registry policy value.
- Press Win+R, type regedit, press Enter. If needed, see How to open the Registry Editor and How to navigate the Windows Registry (address bar & search).
- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows - Right-click Windows → New → Key → name it WindowsCopilot (if it doesn’t exist).
- With WindowsCopilot selected, right-click the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value → name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot.
- Double-click TurnOffWindowsCopilot → set Value data to 1 → OK.
- Restart the PC (or sign out/in).
Optional (per-user scope): Repeat the same underHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot → TurnOffWindowsCopilot = 1.
Re-enable: Set TurnOffWindowsCopilot to 0 or delete it, then restart.
PowerShell one-liners (run as Administrator):
# System-wide off
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows" -Name WindowsCopilot -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" -Name "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Per-user off (current user)
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows" -Name WindowsCopilot -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" -Name "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
Method 4 — (Optional) Block the Win+C shortcut
If Copilot still opens with Win+C on your build, you can disable Windows key hotkeys. Note: This disables all Win+* shortcuts for that scope. For a quick shortcuts refresher (including Win+C), see The best Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Group Policy (User scope):
User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer → Turn off Windows Key hotkeys = Enabled → gpupdate → sign out/in.
Registry (per-user):
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoWinKeys" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
Re-enable: Set NoWinKeys to 0 (or remove it).
Verify Copilot is disabled
- The Copilot button is gone from the taskbar after sign-out/in or restart.
- Pressing Win+C no longer opens Copilot (if you applied Method 4).
- Launch attempts show no Copilot window.
Tip: If your taskbar looks off after changes, see [How to ungroup taskbar icons in Windows 10] or revisit How to customize the taskbar in Windows 10.
Undo or change scope later
- Organization-wide: Use Method 2 (GPO) on the OU/device group you prefer.
- Single PC / Home edition: Use Method 3 (Registry) and restart.
- To re-enable, reverse the setting and sign out/in.
Troubleshooting
- The button hides but Copilot still launches. Hiding the icon (Method 1) doesn’t block the app. Use Method 2 or 3.
- Policy is set but nothing changes. Run gpupdate /force, then restart. Also check if another scope (User vs Computer) overrides your setting. If you can’t open gpedit, here’s how to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
- I don’t see the Windows Copilot policy. Your ADMX templates may be older. Use the Registry method above; these Registry Editor basics can help.
- Copilot appears only inside Microsoft Edge. That’s Edge Copilot, not Windows Copilot. Remove it with How to remove Copilot from Microsoft Edge.
- Taskbar/search glitches after changes. Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager (see [How to open Task Manager]). For taskbar behavior tips, see Show the Windows 10 desktop (Win+D) and How to show the Search bar if it’s missing.
Summary (at a glance)
- Hide the taskbar button: taskbar settings → turn off Copilot (taskbar guide).
- Block Copilot (Pro/Enterprise): gpedit.msc → Turn off Windows Copilot = Enabled (open gpedit).
- Block Copilot (all editions): Registry →
...Windows\WindowsCopilot→ TurnOffWindowsCopilot = 1 (HKLM/HKCU) (open regedit, navigate the registry). - Optional: Disable Win+C via NoWinKeys or the File Explorer GPO (keyboard shortcuts).
- Restart or sign out/in to apply.
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