Windows 11 now ships with a Copilot app, a snapshot-based memory feature called Recall, on-screen AI actions, and AI helpers inside Notepad, Paint, Photos, and Snipping Tool. Some save real time. Others collect data you may not want collected, or only run on specific hardware. This guide sorts them by value, shows where each toggle lives, and gives you the Group Policy, registry, and PowerShell methods to control them at scale.
Version note: Microsoft changes these features through feature updates, Store app updates, and server-side rollouts. Menu names and policy availability vary by build (24H2, 25H2, and later) and by edition. Verify each step on one test machine before deploying it.
Quick Takeaways
- Useful: Live Captions, Windows Studio Effects, Notepad rewrite, Snipping Tool text actions, and Click to Do text actions.
- Mostly hype: Taskbar “Ask Copilot” for everyday work, generative image tools in Paint, and experimental agentic features.
- Privacy-sensitive: Recall (opt-in, Copilot+ PCs only) and anything that uploads screen content to a cloud service.
- Control path: Settings for single PCs, Group Policy or Intune for fleets, and PowerShell/DISM for removal.
Windows 11 AI Feature Map
| Feature | Hardware Requirement | Runs Locally? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot app | Any Windows 11 PC | Mostly cloud | Optional, uninstallable |
| Recall | Copilot+ PC (NPU), BitLocker/Device Encryption, Windows Hello | Yes (on-device) | Useful for some, opt-in |
| Click to Do | Copilot+ PC | Yes | Useful for text actions |
| Windows Studio Effects | NPU | Yes | Useful for video calls |
| Live Captions/translation | NPU for some languages | Yes | Useful, especially for accessibility |
| Notepad AI (Rewrite/Summarize) | Microsoft account, varies | Cloud | Situational |
| Paint Cocreator/Image Creator | Varies | Mixed | Hype for most users |
| Agentic features/Copilot Actions | Experimental | Cloud + local | Hype until stable |
Prerequisites
Before changing anything:
- Check your build: press Win + R, run
winver, and note the version and OS build. - Check your edition: Group Policy (
gpedit.msc) is not available on Windows 11 Home. - Open PowerShell as Administrator for the registry and DISM sections.
- Create a restore point with
Checkpoint-Computer -Description "Pre-AI-tweaks" -RestorePointType MODIFY_SETTINGS. The-RestorePointTypeargument labels what kind of change you are making, and System Protection must be enabled for the command to work.
What’s Actually Useful
Live Captions and Translation
Live Captions generates subtitles for any audio playing on the system, including video calls and local files. Toggle it with Win + Ctrl + L. For Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, and for anyone working in a noisy room or a second language, it delivers daily value with no account required.
Windows Studio Effects
Background blur, eye contact correction, and auto-framing run on the NPU on supported hardware. Offloading to the NPU keeps CPU usage low during calls. Access it under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
Click to Do and Snipping Tool Text Actions
On Copilot+ PCs, Win + Click (or Win + Q) lets you act on whatever is on screen: copy text from an image, summarize a block of text, or search an object. The text extraction is the strongest part. Because it runs locally, it works without a network connection for basic actions.
Notepad Rewrite
Notepad can rewrite or summarize selected text. It suits quick tone fixes. It is not a replacement for a proper editor, and cloud-based features may require you to sign in.
What’s Mostly Hype
The Copilot App and Taskbar Entry Point
The Copilot app is a chat front end with voice and vision options. For many users it duplicates what a browser tab does, with an always-visible entry point. It is fine if you use it. If you do not, remove the clutter (covered below).
Generative Features in Paint and Photos
Image generation and restyling are fun demos. For production work, they produce inconsistent output, and many require cloud processing and account sign-in.
Agentic Features
Experimental agent tooling aims to let AI act on your behalf in apps and files. Treat it as a preview. It expands the attack surface, and its permission model is still maturing. Leave it off on production machines.
The Privacy Question: Recall
Recall periodically captures encrypted snapshots of your screen so you can search your past activity. Key facts:
- It is opt-in and limited to Copilot+ PCs.
- Setup requires Windows Hello authentication, and snapshots are protected by device encryption.
- Sensitive-content filtering exists but is not perfect. Passwords typed into fields are generally excluded, but screen content such as chats, documents, and emails can still be captured.
- Administrators can block it entirely by policy.
If your threat model includes shared devices, shoulder surfing, or regulated data, disable it and verify the setting.
How to Turn Off Windows 11 AI Features
Method 1: Settings (Single PC)
| Feature | Where to Disable |
|---|---|
| Recall | Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots, turn off “Save snapshots” |
| Click to Do | Settings > System > Click to Do |
| Copilot taskbar button | Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, toggle Copilot off |
| Copilot key behavior | Settings > Personalization > Text input > Customize Copilot key on keyboard |
| Notepad AI | Notepad Settings, AI features toggle |
| Experimental agent features | Settings > System (AI components / agent tools), if present on your build |
Method 2: Uninstall the Copilot App with PowerShell
Run as Administrator:
Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.Copilot" | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -Namefinds the installed package by name.Remove-AppxPackageremoves it for the current user.
To check what is installed first:
Get-AppxPackage *Copilot* | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName
Windows Update or the Store can reinstall the app on some builds. A policy block (below) makes the change persistent.
Method 3: Group Policy (Pro, Enterprise, Education)
Open gpedit.msc and navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI
Look for policies such as Turn off saving snapshots for Windows (Recall) and, on builds that include it, Allow Recall to be enabled. Set them to Enabled/Disabled as the policy text directs. Run gpupdate /force afterward to apply immediately.
Method 4: Registry (Scripted Deployment)
Create the policy key and set the Recall data-analysis block:
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI" -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI" `
-Name "DisableAIDataAnalysis" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force
New-Item -Forcecreates the key if it does not exist.-PropertyType DWord -Value 1enables the restriction (1 = disabled feature).
For the legacy Copilot policy on older builds:
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" `
-Name "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force
Policy behavior changes between releases. Confirm in Microsoft’s current policy reference for your build before rolling this out.
Method 5: Remove Recall as an Optional Feature (DISM)
Dism /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:Recall
Dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Recall
/Get-FeatureInfoshows whether the feature exists and its current state./Disable-Featureremoves it. Reboot afterward.
On unsupported hardware the feature may not exist, and DISM will report that.
Verification
After changes and a reboot:
Get-AppxPackage *Copilot*
Dism /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:Recall | Select-String "State"
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI"
- The first command should return nothing if the app is removed.
- The second should show
Disabled. - The third should show
DisableAIDataAnalysis : 1.
Real-World Troubleshooting Scenarios
Copilot Keeps Coming Back After Updates
Symptom: The app or taskbar button returns after a cumulative update.
Fix: Remove the package, apply the Group Policy or registry block, and keep the setting in your baseline. Re-run your verification script after each feature update.
Recall Option Is Missing
Symptom: Recall & snapshots does not appear in Settings.
Cause: The PC is not Copilot+ hardware, the feature is not available in your region or build, or an administrator policy has hidden it.
Fix: Run Dism /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:Recall to confirm. If it is absent, the machine is already unaffected.
Group Policy Setting Not Found
Symptom: The Windows AI folder is not listed.
Fix: Your ADMX templates are outdated. Download the current Windows 11 Administrative Templates from Microsoft, copy them to C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions (or your central store), and reopen gpedit.msc.
High NPU/CPU Usage During Calls
Symptom: Fans spin up during video calls.
Fix: Disable Studio Effects you do not need under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. Fewer effects lower the load.
Enterprise Control Checklist
| Control | Tool | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Block Recall | GPO / Intune policy | Per device |
| Remove Copilot app | PowerShell / Intune app removal | Per user/device |
| Disable agentic features | Policy or Settings | Per device |
| Audit state | PowerShell script + RMM | Fleet |
| Re-check after updates | Scheduled task | Fleet |
FAQ
Is Recall safe to use?
Recall stores snapshots locally and requires Windows Hello authentication and device encryption. It is opt-in. Risk remains because snapshots can capture sensitive on-screen content. Disable it on shared or regulated systems.
Can I uninstall Copilot from Windows 11?
Yes. Run Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.Copilot" | Remove-AppxPackage in an elevated PowerShell session. Pair it with a policy block so updates do not restore it.
Do I need a Copilot+ PC to use Windows 11 AI features?
No. The Copilot app and some cloud-based features run on any Windows 11 PC. Recall, Click to Do, and several on-device features require Copilot+ hardware with a qualifying NPU.
Does disabling AI features speed up Windows 11?
Modestly. Removing background-running components can reduce memory use and background activity, but gains depend on hardware. Measure with Task Manager or Performance Monitor before and after.
