Windows 11 has rapidly integrated Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant, across many parts of the OS, including the context menu, taskbar, and Office applications. While Copilot aims to enhance productivity through AI-driven assistance, many users seek to remove or disable it for privacy, system resource, or personal preference reasons. This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to remove the Ask Copilot entry from the Windows 11 context menu and disable Copilot through various methods.

Why Remove Ask Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant designed to provide users with help, tips, and automation features within Windows 11. However, persistent AI presence may be unwelcome for several reasons:

  • Minimalist Setup: Users wanting a clean, distraction-free desktop may find the Copilot icon and menu cluttering.
  • Privacy Concerns: Some users are wary about AI features collecting data.
  • System Performance: Disabling background AI services can improve system speed and reduce resource use.
  • User Control: Some advanced users prefer to disable automatic AI assistance in favor of manual control.

Fortunately, Microsoft provides various official ways to manage or disable Copilot without fully uninstalling the core AI functionalities.

How to Remove Ask Copilot from Windows 11 Context Menu

The integration of Ask Copilot into the context menu, especially accessible by right-clicking the Desktop Spotlight icon, is part of Windows 11 updates like KB5052084. This feature can be disabled, restored, or hidden using these steps:

1. Disable Ask Copilot Integration via Registry Editor

If you want to remove the Ask Copilot option from the context menu and taskbar without removing Copilot entirely, you can edit the Windows registry:

  • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  • Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- Right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new value ShowCopilotButton.
- Double-click this entry and set the value to 0 to hide the Copilot button and context menu entry.
- Restart your computer or explorer.exe for the changes to take effect.

To restore the option later, change the value back to 1 and reboot.

2. Use Group Policy Editor (for Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education)

If your Windows edition supports Group Policy Editor, this method provides a permanent system-level disable:

  • Open the Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Start menu search.
  • Navigate to:

User Configuration 12 Administrative Templates 12 Windows Components 12 Windows Copilot
- Find the policy named Turn off Windows Copilot.
- Double-click and set it to Enabled.
- Click Apply and OK, then restart your device.

This ensures Copilot, including its context menu entry, no longer loads until you disable the policy.

3. Toggle Off from Windows Settings (Non-Permanent)

For a quick and reversible way to hide Copilot from the taskbar and reduce its presence:

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  • Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
  • Find Copilot in the list of taskbar items.
  • Toggle it off.

This removes the Copilot icon and limits context menu entries but does not fully disable the service.

How to Remove Copilot from Microsoft Office Apps (Word, Excel, etc.)

Copilot has also been embedded into Office apps, where some users find it intrusive. You can disable it in two ways:

Disable Copilot via Word Options

  • Open Word.
  • Click File > Options.
  • Select the Copilot section.
  • Uncheck the Enable Copilot box.
  • Click OK.

This disables Copilot in Word without affecting your subscription.

Change Microsoft Office Subscription

Microsoft offers non-Copilot versions of Office under Classic subscriptions. Switching to such a plan removes Copilot across all Office apps but may come with fewer features.

Additional Tips

  • Remapping Copilot Key: Some laptops include a dedicated Copilot key. You can remap it using Microsoft PowerToys' Keyboard Manager module if you don't want it launching Copilot.
  • Privacy Controls: Regularly review AI and privacy settings after Windows updates, as Microsoft incrementally adds and updates AI features.
  • Reversibility: All methods above allow reverting changes to restore Copilot functionality when desired.
  • Use ViveTool to Disable Context Menu Entry: Some experimental AI context menu features like Ask Copilot can be enabled/disabled via the ViveTool command line:

vivetool /disable /id:55823572
(Previously enabled via /enable command)

Summary

You can remove or hide Ask Copilot from the Windows 11 context menu and taskbar via:

  • Registry Editor: Modify ShowCopilotButton to 0 to hide Copilot.
  • Group Policy Editor: Enable Turn off Windows Copilot policy for a system-wide disable.
  • Windows Settings: Toggle off Copilot on the Taskbar for a quick hide.
  • Office Apps: Disable Copilot within Word or change your Office subscription.
  • ViveTool Utility: Disable experimental context menu options as needed.

Each method balances ease, permanence, and user control, letting Windows 11 users tailor their AI experience and workspace minimalism according to their needs.