Microsoft Copilot can appear in the Windows taskbar, Edge, and Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Hiding the button and disabling the feature are not always the same thing, so choose the level you need.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Microsoft 365 apps when you want Copilot out of the taskbar, ribbon, or app interface.
Remove Copilot from the Windows taskbar
Start with the simple taskbar toggle.
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings, or open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Find Copilot under taskbar items.
- Turn it off.
- If the button remains, restart Windows.
- If Windows key+C still opens Copilot and you want a stronger block, continue with Group Policy or Registry.
On Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, open Run with Windows key+R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot, open Turn off Windows Copilot, set it to Enabled, apply, and restart.
On Windows Home, use Registry Editor carefully. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsCopilot, creating missing keys if needed. Create a DWORD (32-bit) value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot, set it to 1, and restart.
Turn off Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Office app Copilot controls are separate from Windows taskbar controls.
- Open a Microsoft 365 app such as Word, Excel, or Outlook.
- Go to File > Options.
- Look for Copilot, General, or ribbon display options depending on app version.
- Turn off the option that shows Copilot.
- If no toggle appears, right-click the ribbon, choose Customize Ribbon, and remove or uncheck the Copilot group if available.
More control
Copilot is usually not a normal uninstallable app
Windows treats Copilot as a built-in feature or experience, not always as a separate program in Apps & features. Disabling launch points usually has the practical effect most people want.
Updates can bring the button back
Major Windows feature updates may restore Copilot taskbar visibility. If it returns, repeat the taskbar setting or policy step.
Managed computers may ignore local choices
If your PC is managed through work or school tools such as Intune, local toggles may not stick. Your IT administrator controls Copilot availability.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps (2026)
- Microsoft Community Hub – How to turn off or disable Copilot in Windows 11 permanently (2026)
- Microsoft Q&A – How do I disable Copilot permanently? (2026)