Copilot Recall and Other AI Tools Removed from Windows 11
A new community tool is giving Windows 11 users far more control over Microsoft’s growing stack of AI features.
An open‑source project called RemoveWindowsAI now lets administrators and power users disable or strip out components such as Copilot, Recall, and other AI integrations that are tightly integrated with the operating system and Microsoft apps.
The tool targets a broad range of AI hooks built into Windows 11 and Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Recent commits show active work on disable Copilot in Edge, block AI features in the Photos app, remove AI‑related scheduled tasks, and turn off background access for Copilot.
All listed tools are fully removable or disableable through registry manipulation, file deletion, and Edge flag configuration.
| AI Tool/Feature | Category | Removal Method | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot (Windows 11) | AI Assistant | Registry key modification, disable startup/background app access | Fully removable |
| Copilot (Edge) | Browser Integration | Registry keys, Edge flag manipulation, execution policy changes | Fully removable |
| Recall | AI Features | File removal, registry cleanup | Fully removable |
| Photos App AI | Built-in Apps | Settings disable via registry | Fully removable |
| Office Hub WebView | Office Integration | Startup task disable, registry modification | Fully removable |
| AI Scheduled Tasks | Background Services | Task scheduler removal, registry cleanup | Fully removable |
| Edge Copilot Mode | Browser Features | Edge flags, registry configuration | Fully removable |
| App Actions Files | System Components | File deletion, registry cleanup | Fully removable |
The project also manipulates registry keys tied to “SystemAIModels” and other AI‑related configuration points to prevent the operating system from silently re‑enabling these features.
Development is moving quickly. In early January 2026, the maintainer pushed updates to check the status of Windows update package installations, add a fallback method that uses the TrustedInstaller service for stubborn components, and apply minor fixes to improve reliability.
Late December changes focused on cleaning up registry entries during custom package reverts, enhancing the removal of AI files, and handling execution policy locations that could interfere with script execution.
The tool also prioritizes user experience and safety. Commits mention preventing both backup and revert modes from being selected at the same time, adding tooltips for those options, and updating status messages, as reported by Zoicware in GitHub.
Hence, users understand what the script is doing. Other updates handle edge cases, such as systems where Microsoft Edge has never been opened, different language configurations, and empty values in configuration files.
For privacy‑conscious users and organizations wary of AI features like Recall’s screen‑recording capabilities, RemoveWindowsAI offers a way to push back against Microsoft’s AI‑first direction without abandoning Windows entirely.
While it is aimed at advanced users and should be used with caution, the project shows strong demand for deeper, scriptable control over AI services built into Windows 11.
Follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X to Get Instant Updates and Set GBH as a Preferred Source in Google.
Attackers abused compromised ConnectWise Cloud Backup credentials to access Microsoft 365 customer environments, prompting ConnectWise…
Anthropic says an internal Claude research model reconstructed how the National Security Agency generated seeds…
Two WordPress Core vulnerabilities can be chained to execute remote code without authentication, according to…
A newly disclosed OpenBSD kernel exploitation chain combines a shared memory accounting flaw with a…
GhostAction attackers have expanded their GitHub credential theft campaign with a second stage that disguises…
Indian authorities have warned that SideCopy hackers are targeting Indian organizations, including academic institutions, with…