Copilot is not available in Windows 10, so you cannot disable it

Copilot is a feature that Microsoft added to Windows 11, not Windows 10. If you are running Windows 10, the Copilot button and sidebar do not exist on your system, and there is nothing to turn off.

If you see a Copilot icon or button on your Windows 10 machine, it is likely a third-party process or browser extension, not the official Windows feature. The steps below cover how to remove those instead.

If you are actually running Windows 11 and landed here by mistake, scroll to the section "Disabling Copilot in Windows 11" for the correct steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 does not include Copilot, so if you see a Copilot button or sidebar, it is a browser extension or third-party software.
  • Browser-based Copilot tools can be removed by disabling the extension in your browser's settings.
  • If Copilot appears as a standalone program, you can uninstall it through Windows Settings or the Control Panel.
  • Windows 11 users can disable the official Copilot through Settings, but Windows 10 users do not have this option because the feature does not exist.

Removing a Copilot browser extension from Chrome, Edge, or Firefox

If you installed a Copilot extension in your web browser, you can turn it off or remove it in a few steps. The process is similar across most browsers.

In Microsoft Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select "Extensions," find the Copilot extension in the list, and click the toggle to turn it off. To remove it entirely, click "Remove from Microsoft Edge" instead.

In Google Chrome: Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner to open your extensions. Find the Copilot extension, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Remove from Chrome."

In Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select "Add-ons and extensions," find the Copilot extension under "Extensions," and click "Remove."

Uninstalling a Copilot process from Windows 10

If Copilot appears as a standalone program on your computer rather than inside a browser, you can uninstall it like any other process.

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select "Apps" or "Apps and Features" from the left menu. Scroll through the list to find any Copilot-related program, click it, and select "Uninstall." Windows will walk you through removing it.

If you cannot find it in Settings, you can also try the Control Panel. Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel," and open it. Click "Programs and Features," find the Copilot process in the list, right-click it, and select "Uninstall."

Checking whether you actually have Windows 10 or Windows 11

If you are unsure which version you are running, Windows makes it straightforward to check. Press the Windows key and type "winver," then press Enter. A window will open showing your Windows version number at the top.

Windows 10 displays a version number like "22H2" or "21H2." Windows 11 displays "Windows 11" clearly at the top of the window. If you see Windows 11, the official Copilot feature is built in, and the steps in the next section explore to you instead.

Disabling Copilot in Windows 11

If you confirmed you are running Windows 11, you can disable the official Copilot feature through Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select "Privacy and security" from the left menu.

Scroll down and click "General." Look for the toggle labeled "Copilot" or "Copilot (preview)" and turn it off. The Copilot button will disappear from your taskbar when ready.

Some versions of Windows 11 also allow you to disable Copilot through Group Policy if you are using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. Press Windows key plus R, type "gpedit.msc," and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Copilot. Set the policy to "Disabled." This method is more permanent and prevents Copilot from being re-enabled by updates.

What to do if Copilot keeps reappearing after you disable it

Windows updates sometimes re-enable Copilot or restore the button to your taskbar. If this happens, the steps above will turn it off again, but you may need to repeat them after major updates.

If you want a more lasting solution, check for updates to any third-party software you installed recently. Some programs add Copilot-like features as part of their installation. Uninstalling or updating those programs may prevent Copilot from returning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 10 have Copilot?

No. Copilot is exclusive to Windows 11. If you see a Copilot button or sidebar on Windows 10, it is a browser extension or third-party process, not a Windows feature. You can remove it through your browser settings or the Windows uninstall menu.

Will disabling Copilot slow down my computer?

Disabling Copilot in Windows 11 will not noticeably speed up your system. Copilot uses minimal resources when not in use. If you want to improve performance, focus on closing unused browser tabs and background applications instead.

Can I disable Copilot permanently so it does not come back?

In Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, using Group Policy (gpedit.msc) to disable Copilot is more permanent than using Settings. Home editions of Windows 11 do not have Group Policy access, so you may need to disable it again after major updates.

What if I want to use Copilot again after disabling it?

You can turn Copilot back on anytime by returning to Settings > Privacy and security > General and toggling Copilot back on. If you uninstalled a browser extension, you can reinstall it from your browser's extension store.