Microsoft is finally allowing some users to remove Copilot from Windows, but the fine print makes it clear that this isn’t the clean break many were hoping for. After deeply integrating Copilot into Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new option in a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview build that allows Copilot to be completely uninstalled.
The catch is that it only works in very specific situations and most regular users aren’t cut out for it. Previously, Copilot could be disabled or hidden, but not completely removed. That’s changing with a new Group Policy setting called RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, appearing in the latest Insider builds on the Developer and Beta channels.
This policy allows IT administrators to uninstall Copilot from managed devices running Enterprise, Pro, or EDU versions of Windows. If you use a work or school PC managed by an organization and your administrator is willing to help, Copilot can finally be removed from the system.
Why uninstalling Copilot is harder than it sounds
According to TechRadar, the policy comes with several conditions. First, both the free Microsoft Copilot app and the paid Microsoft 365 Copilot must be installed on the system and the Microsoft Copilot app has not been installed by the user. If you only have the free version and are not a paying Copilot subscriber, the option will not work.
Second, the Copilot app must not have been launched in the last 28 days, which is a surprisingly high bar since Copilot is set by default to start automatically when you log in. That means users would have to disable it in Startup Apps and avoid opening it for almost a month.
Administrators can still attempt to remove the Microsoft Copilot app via the Group Policy Editor by navigating to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows AI > Remove Microsoft Copilot App.
Even then, the uninstallation only happens once. Microsoft says users can reinstall Copilot later if they want, and some Copilot-related features may still remain tied to Windows and Microsoft 365 services.
Interestingly, some users have wanted this for some time. In March 2025, Copilot was accidentally removed through a bug for some people, and the reaction online was strangely positive. So if you don’t like Copilot and are using a managed work device, you finally have a way out.
