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Can I finally uninstall the Windows 11 Copilot app using Group Policy?
Microsoft has begun addressing enterprise feedback regarding the forced integration of Copilot. For IT administrators managing professional environments, the inability to remove the Copilot application has been a point of friction. With the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (effective January 9, 2026), Microsoft introduced a specific Group Policy Object (GPO) designed to uninstall the application under strict conditions.
This development signals a shift. Microsoft acknowledges that while AI integration is a priority, enterprise environments require granular control over installed components to maintain focused workspaces.
Implementing the Removal Policy
Administrators can locate the new configuration option within the Group Policy Editor. The specific path targets the “User Configuration” sector rather than the machine core.
Path:
User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App
Enabling this policy triggers an uninstallation process for the Microsoft Copilot application. However, this action is not a blanket removal tool. It operates as a conditional script rather than a permanent block.
Operational Prerequisites
The policy functions only when specific criteria meet. The target device must satisfy three simultaneous conditions for the uninstallation to execute:
- Dual Installation: The device must have both “Microsoft 365 Copilot” and the standard “Microsoft Copilot” app installed. This suggests the policy targets redundancy.
- System-Initiated Install: The user must not have installed the Copilot app manually. The policy affects only system-pushed versions.
- Low Engagement: The application must show zero activity for the preceding 28 days.
These constraints limit the policy’s scope significantly. It effectively acts as a cleanup tool for unused software rather than a hard prohibition mechanism.
Limitations and Strategic Considerations
This GPO targets Managed Devices running Enterprise, Pro, and Education SKUs. Administrators should note the transient nature of this removal. The policy uninstalls the app once. It does not prevent a user from reinstalling the application later through the Microsoft Store or other channels.
Current data suggests low organic adoption of the web-based Copilot, with market share hovering near 1%. This lack of engagement aligns with the 28-day inactivity clause, making the policy highly relevant for streamlining corporate images that suffer from “bloatware” fatigue. As this feature exists currently within the Insider Preview channel, IT managers should validate its behavior in test environments before broad deployment, as the functionality may evolve before reaching the production Stable channel.