How to disable AI as much as possible in Windows 11

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If you feel that Windows 11 is overloaded with artificial intelligence and you'd like to return to a simpler, faster, and more predictable experience, you're not alone. Microsoft has decided to turn its system into a showcase for Copilot and similar technologies, but many users just want a Windows that doesn't intrude and analyze everything you do.

Throughout this guide, you'll see how to disable or remove Windows 11 AI features in detail: from automatic scripts that clean almost everything at once, to manual settings for Copilot, Recall, Paint, search, voice dictation, and personalized recommendations. The goal is to help you make your PC as AI-free as possible without needing to be an expert, but with a clear understanding of what you're changing and the implications.

Why do so many people want to remove AI from Windows 11?

In recent years, Microsoft has focused on integrating Copilot and AI services across its entire ecosystem : the Bing search engine, the Edge browser, Windows 11, the Office suite, and even cloud services like OneDrive. The problem is that this approach doesn't suit all user profiles, especially those with modest computers or who are very protective of their privacy.

What used to be simple security updates and bug fixes has now become a constant stream of updates that add smart features , new panels, background processes, and interface changes that weren't always requested. Every few months, a new button, sidebar, or AI-based recommendation appears, taking up space and resources.

For many users, the feeling is that Windows 11 has gone from being a stable and discreet platform like Windows 7 once was, to becoming a showcase of Microsoft services , with Copilot embedded in the taskbar, AI in the Start menu, predictive functions when typing, and even text rewriting suggestions in Notepad.

Besides the visual annoyance, there are two clear concerns: on the one hand, the memory and CPU consumption by these services, especially on machines with few resources; on the other hand, the handling of personal data , since a good part of these functions send information to the cloud in order to function (Copilot, image generation, some personalized experiences, etc.).

RemoveWindowsAI: The most complete script to remove AI from Windows 11

In the absence of an official button to disable all AI, several developers have created community-based tools. The most powerful and well-known is RemoveWindowsAI , an open-source project hosted on GitHub that acts as a "mass shutdown" of the Windows 11 AI layer.

RemoveWindowsAI isn't a program with a traditional installer; instead, it's a PowerShell script that runs with administrator privileges. When launched, you can use a small graphical interface with checkboxes and switches, or a more direct command-line mode, designed for automating or aggressive cleanup without user interaction.

The tool doesn't just hide options; it affects several layers of the system : Windows Registry keys and values, Group Policy, Appx packages of modern applications, scheduled tasks, and system components managed by CBS (Component-Based Servicing). That's why it's considered much more comprehensive than simply turning off a switch in Settings.

According to the project documentation, RemoveWindowsAI is specifically targeted at modern builds of Windows 11, including those that come with the 25H2 update, where AI integration is even more aggressive . The goal is to revert the system to a "classic" state, removing Copilot, Recall, and almost all traces of AI-based automation.

Which AI features exactly does RemoveWindowsAI disable?

One of the great advantages of RemoveWindowsAI is that it consolidates dozens of configuration changes into one place, changes you would otherwise have to search for throughout your system. Among other things, this script can disable or remove the following AI components from Windows 11:

• Windows Copilot built-in in the operating system, both the taskbar icon and the associated functionality.
• Copilot in Microsoft Edge, including integration into the browser sidebar.
• Recall (Memories), the function that takes periodic screenshots of what happens on the screen so that it can be searched later.
• Input Insights and Typing Data CollectionThat is, advanced tracking of what you write to offer intelligent suggestions and corrections.
• AI features in Paint, such as the Co-creator-type image generator and other assisted tools.
• Image Creator in Paint and other generation components.
• AI Fabric Service and AI infrastructure components installed as system services or packages.
• AI Actions distributed through contextual menus and internal system functions.
• AI in the search for Settings and other searches enriched with language models.
• Voice Access and AI-powered voice effects, including advanced effects and intelligent audio processing.
• AI-powered rewriting features in Notepad and in other applications that incorporate this type of assistant.
• AI-related applications and files that are delivered as Appx packages or system components.

In addition to disabling these elements, the script includes mechanisms to prevent Windows Update from reinstalling the AI ​​packages in future updates. It does this by simulating the installation of custom updates or marking "fake" versions of certain components, leading Windows to believe it already has the latest version and thus preventing it from repeatedly downloading them.

However, it's important to understand that not all Windows 11 AI can be automatically removed . The author himself indicates that some utilities require manual intervention, either through system menus or application settings. We'll see what these exceptions are and how to address them later.

How to run RemoveWindowsAI step by step

RemoveWindowsAI is designed to be as easy to use as possible, even for those with limited PowerShell experience. However, it's a tool that makes significant system changes , so proceed with caution and, if possible, create a system restore point or backup beforehand.

The first step is to open Windows PowerShell with administrator privileges . To do this, click the Start button, type "PowerShell", hover over the result, right-click, and select "Run as administrator". It's important not to use a regular PowerShell window, as the script requires elevated permissions to modify system components.

With PowerShell open as administrator, simply run the command that downloads and launches the script from GitHub . There are several variations, but the most common are:

• & ([scriptblock]::Create((irm «https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI/main/RemoveWindowsAi.ps1»)))
• & ([scriptblock]::Create((irm «https://kutt.it/RWAI»)))

This command uses Invoke-RestMethod (irm) to download the script directly from the official repository and runs it on the fly, without needing to save files or install anything. Once you paste it into the console and press Enter, you'll see a small window open with the RemoveWindowsAI interface.

The graphical interface displays different sections grouped by color , each with checkboxes or buttons representing groups of AI functions. Next to many of these is a help button that explains, in a small pop-up window, exactly what that option will disable or remove. This is very useful for deciding which options to select and which to leave untouched.

If you want to perform a deep clean, it's generally recommended to enable options like Disable Copilot Policies (to prevent Copilot from reactivating), Remove Appx Packages (to delete modern AI-related applications), Remove Recall Feature , and Remove AI Files . You can also choose to enable almost all the options, but it's always a good idea to read the help documentation for each one to avoid uninstalling something you really need.

Once you've selected your desired options, click the main button (usually "Apply" or similar) to start the script applying the changes. During the process, you might see warning messages from Windows or your antivirus software , as these types of scripts are often flagged as potentially dangerous simply because they modify the registry or remove system components. If you trust the tool, you'll need to allow it to run.

When finished, the script itself usually prompts you to restart your computer for all the changes to take effect. After restarting, you should notice that Copilot has disappeared from the taskbar, that there are no longer any AI features in Paint or Notepad, and that you don't see as many smart elements scattered throughout the system.

Advanced options: Backup mode and Revert mode

Since RemoveWindowsAI modifies critical elements of Windows 11, its creators have included a backup mode designed for those who want an emergency exit in case something doesn't suit them or they need to recover the AI ​​in the future.

Within the interface, you'll see an option labeled "Backup Mode" or something similar. If you enable it before applying the changes, the script will save the current state of the components and settings it's about to modify. It's a kind of snapshot of the situation before the AI ​​cleanup.

Later, if you decide you want to undo what the script did, you can run RemoveWindowsAI again and select "Revert Mode ." This mode reverses the process: it takes the files and settings saved in the backup and restores them, returning the system to a state much closer to its original state.

This backup system doesn't replace traditional backups or Windows restore points , but it does add an extra layer of security focused on the AI ​​components the script manages. Even so, it's a good idea to continue exercising caution and not rely solely on a single tool.

What the script cannot delete and must be manually deactivated

Although RemoveWindowsAI covers a large portion of Windows 11's AI features, some elements, due to their integration, still require manual disabling . Some important examples include:

• Gaming CopilotThe game assistant integrated into the Xbox Game Bar. To disable it, open the Game Bar itself and review its options, unchecking any assistant functions or AI recommendations.
• OneDrive AIFacial recognition features and intelligent cloud photo organization. These can be controlled from the OneDrive website or from the Microsoft account privacy settings, in the Photos & People section.
• Windows Studio EffectsAI-based camera and microphone effects (background blur, simulated eye contact, noise reduction, etc.). These are only available on devices with an NPU, especially those called Copilot+ PCs.

To disable Windows Studio Effects, you have to go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras , select the camera you use and turn off all effects related to Windows Studio (auto-framing, eye contact, blur, lighting, background noise reduction).

It's also advisable to check Settings > System > Sound and the microphone properties, in case there are any active AI effects. On laptops with specific hardware, dedicated panels sometimes appear within the laptop manufacturer's app.

Manually disable Copilot and other AI features

If you don't want to use scripts or prefer a more granular approach, it's also possible to manually disable much of Windows 11's AI . This involves navigating through various Settings menus, and even modifying the registry or group policies, but it allows you to choose exactly what to keep and what to remove.

Starting with Copilot, in many recent versions of Windows 11 (especially in the European Union and from version 24H2 onwards), the assistant appears as just another installed application . In these cases, you can go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps , find "Copilot," and use the "Uninstall" option as you would with any other program.

In other scenarios, especially outside the EU or in versions where it's more integrated, you can at least hide or block it . You have three different approaches, depending on the level of detail you need.

The simplest method is to hide the Copilot button from the taskbar. To do this:

• Open Settings with Win + I.
• Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
• Locate the Copilot option and turn off the switch.

This doesn't uninstall the assistant or completely disable it, but at least you avoid accidentally seeing and running it . If you want something more thorough and you have Windows 11 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor:

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
• Open the "Disable Windows Copilot" policy and mark it as "Enabled" (you enable the deactivation).

Finally, in both Home and Pro, you can implement a registry-level lock :

• Open Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit and press Enter).
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows.
• Create a new key called WindowsCopilot if it does not exist.
• Within that key, create a DWORD (32-bit) value called TurnOffWindowsCopilot and assign it the value 1.
• Restart the computer.

With this setting, the system understands that Copilot is completely disabled by policy , and should not respond even if you try to open it using keyboard shortcuts, such as Windows + C.

Other AI features to disable from Windows Settings

Copilot is the most visible face of AI in Windows 11, but by no means the only one. The system includes recommendations in the Start menu , suggestions within settings, predictive text, live captions, advanced dictation, and a search engine that blends local and web results, all powered by AI or machine learning models.

The Start menu, for example, shows recently used apps, suggested documents, and shortcuts based on your activity. If you don't want any of this, you can go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off options such as:

• Show recently added apps.
• Show the most used applications.
• Show recommended files on Start, recent files in Explorer, and items in shortcut lists.
• Show recommendations for suggestions, shortcuts, and new apps.

Within the Notifications section , under Settings > System > Notifications , you can turn off the boxes that suggest ways to get more out of Windows or that show recommendations while you're using the system. These are small contextual helpers, but many rely on usage analysis systems that not everyone wants.

On the other hand, much of the system's lightweight AI focuses on predictive typing and autocorrect . If you prefer that Windows not analyze what you type, you can go to Settings > Time & Language > Typing and disable:

• Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard.
• Autocorrect misspelled words.
• Highlight words with spelling errors.
• Any section on handwriting customization or writing model training.

Live captions are another standout feature that uses AI to transcribe audio to text in real time. To turn them off, go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions and disable "Live captions." If you downloaded additional language packs specifically for this feature, you can delete them from Settings > Apps > Installed languages.

Voice dictation, intelligent search, and diagnostic data

Windows 11's enhanced voice dictation also relies on AI models to better recognize what you say, insert punctuation, learn your speech patterns, and understand complex voice commands. If you don't want the system constantly listening to the microphone for commands, you can disable it in Settings > Accessibility > Speech by turning off the Voice Access and Voice Dictation options.

Additionally, in Settings > Privacy and security > Voice, you can disable online speech recognition , which prevents audio samples from being sent to the cloud to improve recognition. This is often important for those who prioritize privacy above all else.

Windows Search has also improved significantly thanks to AI, but in return, it mixes local results with cloud data, search history, and suggestions based on your Microsoft account. To keep it as clean as possible, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Search permissions and disable:

• Cloud search.
• Search history on this device.
• Cloud search history.

Finally, everything related to personalized experiences and diagnostic data is managed from Settings > Privacy and security > Feedback and diagnostics . There you can limit yourself to required diagnostic data (instead of optional data) and disable personalized experiences, typing and dictation enhancements, and the display of diagnostic data.

These adjustments do not completely eliminate internal usage analysis systems, but they do significantly reduce the amount of information that is collected and sent to Microsoft servers for product personalization and improvement purposes.

AI in native apps: Paint, Snipping Tool, Notepad, and more

In addition to the AI ​​layer within the operating system itself, Microsoft has been transforming its classic applications into increasingly intelligent tools. Paint, for example, has gone from being a very basic editor to incorporating image generation from text and other creative functions based on advanced models.

If you're bothered by this integration, the simplest solution is to simply not use those features . Many of them only activate when you press specific buttons, so if you never use Co-creator or the AI ​​tools, the impact on resources will be practically negligible. However, if you want to be completely uninstallable, you can uninstall Paint entirely from Settings > Apps > Installed apps and look for more traditional alternatives.

The Snipping Tool has also gained AI capabilities, specifically OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for extracting text from screenshots. Again, if you don't want this feature, you can simply avoid using the "Text Actions" button or, if you find it annoying, uninstall the app entirely from the Apps menu.

Notepad is another example of a minimalist app that now integrates AI. In recent versions, it includes options to rewrite, summarize , or change the tone of your writing through Copilot. If you're not interested in this at all, you can open Notepad, go to the Settings gear icon, and disable the Copilot integration to return the context menu to its simpler state.

One alternative many users are adopting is replacing these apps with third-party software that doesn't have built-in AI . Notepad++ is an excellent replacement for Notepad, while for images, there are plenty of free editors that don't add intelligent assistants everywhere. There are also packages that restore classic versions of Windows 7 applications (Calculator, Photo Viewer, WordPad), completely free of AI.

Advantages and risks of removing AI from Windows 11

At this point, it's natural to wonder if it's really worth removing all or almost all of the AI ​​functions from the system. The answer depends heavily on the type of user and the equipment you have, but several clear advantages and some risks that should be consciously considered can be summarized.

On the plus side, reducing AI gives you greater control and privacy . You'll reduce the number of processes running in the background collecting data, analyzing text, or monitoring activity, and limit the amount of information sent to the cloud. You'll also get a cleaner visual experience, without so many panels, icons, and suggestions interrupting your workflow.

On systems with limited resources, removing AI components can bring a small performance improvement , especially if you were nearing your memory limit or your CPU is several years old. It's not a revolution, but it can make the difference between a sluggish system and one that runs reasonably smoothly.

On the other hand, you're giving up certain real advantages that AI offers . Copilot, when used properly, can help you generate text, summarize articles, understand settings, or automate tasks. Live captions are a powerful accessibility tool, and camera and audio enhancements can be very useful in professional video calls.

It's also important to keep in mind that scripts like RemoveWindowsAI introduce significant changes to the operating system . Major Windows 11 updates might attempt to reactivate AI features, reinstall components, or conflict with these modifications, resulting in unusual behavior, errors, or empty settings.

That's why it's important to act with some caution: create backups, use the script's own Backup mode if you decide to try it, and, if possible, test it first on a secondary PC or in a virtual machine to see if the result fits what you need.

Ultimately, the massive integration of artificial intelligence in Windows 11 has led to a clash between Microsoft's vision and what many users want for their computers. Whether you opt for automatic tools like RemoveWindowsAI or prefer to manually disable features, you have enough leeway to create a much more streamlined, private system, closer to what you understand as a "traditional" Windows, assuming in return the responsibility of maintaining it through future updates.