# How to remove AI from Windows **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/how-to-remove-ai-from-windows/34666 **Category:** Questions **Created:** 2026-01-13T14:51:56Z **Posts:** 27 ## Post 1 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-13T14:51:56Z I have an ACER AI laptop (please do not ask - it was a gift :frowning: ) and until now I have at least been able to tame it to a certain degree with firewall and scripts from privacy.sexy. Unfortunately with the latest updates it seems like nothing is working anymore and the AI components aoperating no matter what. And privacy.sexy does not seem to work either, even with simpe things like “uninstall Solitaire” it does not work, the app is still there. I have tried adding some registry values but nothing is helping. The laptop is signaling on the touchpad whenever AI features are being used, and the light is going up all the time, particularly when Windows search is being used. Does anyone know how to disable all these new AI components even after the latest Windows update? --- ## Post 2 by @Tux — 2026-01-13T14:55:04Z > **[GitHub - Raphire/Win11Debloat: A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove...](https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat)** > > A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11Debloat works for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Better yet, install Linux. --- ## Post 3 by @yes — 2026-01-13T15:50:06Z Honestly? Get rid of that laptop. If that’s not possible, switch to Linux and get rid of Windows. Otherwise, it’s just a game of cat and mouse. --- ## Post 4 by @Vico — 2026-01-13T15:57:47Z What if u just reinstall a clean Windows? Are the AI-features build into the OS or how does that work? --- ## Post 5 by @anonymous520 — 2026-01-13T16:00:19Z > [@Tux](#): > > install Linux. > [@yes](#): > > Get rid of that laptop. Are people just trying not to be helpful to OP? * * * I agree with @Vico, even if the AI features are not removed, atleast then you remove the OEM crap and just have to deal with the Windows bloat. Chris Titus’ tool might be something to look into as well. > **[The Ultimate Windows Utility](https://christitus.com/windows-tool/)** > > Having Fun with Technology --- ## Post 6 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-13T16:01:59Z Well, that is what I did…even erased the whole SSD. And now with the new Windows setup it looks like even more AI integrated and privacy.sexy does not work any longer. Regarding Linux: not that simple. Linux is a lot better for privacy, but it has security issues that are difficult to manage. --- ## Post 7 by @yes — 2026-01-13T16:03:16Z > [@Vico](#): > > Are the AI-features build into the OS Yes. * * * > [@anonymous520](#): > > Are people just trying not to be helpful to OP? > [@yes](#): > > Otherwise, it’s just a game of cat and mouse. --- ## Post 8 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-13T16:03:23Z I have seen this, as well as Windows Shut Up tool and another one specifically for AI stuff on Github, but i am very hesitant to simply use one of these for security reasons. Are they really safe? --- ## Post 9 by @anonymous520 — 2026-01-13T16:10:06Z The Titus tool is auditable, you can go on the website and see the powershell script for each function. IIRC the Shut Up tool is an official Windows partner. EDIT: It is. > ## Microsoft Partner and NATO supplier > > O&O Software GmbH has been a certified Microsoft Partner for 10 years now. As a result of outstanding performances in developing software for Windows, O&O was made a Microsoft Certified Partner/ISV in 2003, the highest possible accolade for an independent manufacturer. > **[About O&O - O&O Software GmbH](https://www.oo-software.com/en/company)** > > About O&O Software GmbH O&O Software GmbH was established in 1997 in Berlin, Germany by Oliver Falkenthal and Olaf Kehrer. The idea for the name “O&O” originated back in 1991 in the form of O&O Systemtechnik GbR, a company offering …... --- ## Post 10 by @Tux — 2026-01-13T16:30:43Z > [@leahh88g4](#): > > Linux is a lot better for privacy, but it has security issues that are difficult to manage. What security issues? --- ## Post 11 by @anon36227541 — 2026-01-13T20:36:53Z > [@Tux](#): > > ![](https://forum-cdn.privacyguides.net/user_avatar/discuss.privacyguides.net/leahh88g4/48/11848_2.png) leahh88g4: > > > Linux is a lot better for privacy, but it has security issues that are difficult to manage. > > What security issues? Might be a bit outdated, but: > **[Missing Security Features - Linux Overview - Privacy Guides](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#missing-security-features)** > > Linux is an open-source, privacy-focused desktop operating system alternative. In the face of pervasive telemetry and other privacy-encroaching technologies in mainstream operating systems, desktop Linux has remained the clear choice for people... > [@leahh88g4](#): > > I have an ACER AI laptop What AI features does the laptop provide to windows? I’m not familiar with it. If it’s just extending the default AI features like Recall and Copilot, try following PG’s community wiki on [windows group policies](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/group-policy-settings-to-improve-privacy-security/27339). To change policies, the guide states that you will require **Pro edition** or better. If you do not have that edition installed, I suggest you reinstall with it. **Education edition** is also viable, as it is “equivalent to Enterprise.”[[1]](#footnote-133566-1) However, I believe you will not have the option to disable Recall with Education edition. Maybe it’s because that edition already does not have Recall? Someone else will have to confirm this. Here are the relevant policies if you do not want to look at the guide: 1. Open `gpedit.msc` 2. To disable **shitpilot** , navigate to: `Local Computer Policy` → `User Configuration` → `Administrative Templates` → `Windows Components` → `Windows Copilot` → `Turn off Windows Copilot` 2a. Select `Enabled` and click `OK` 3. To disable **shitcall** , navigate to:[[2]](#footnote-133566-2) `Local Computer Policy` → `Computer Configuration` → `Administrative Templates` → `Windows Components` → `Windows AI` → `Turn off saving snapshots of Windows` 3a. Select `Enabled` and click `OK` [This post](https://www.elevenforum.com/t/removewindowsai-can-disable-every-single-ai-feature-in-the-os-from-copilot-to-recall.42824/post-688642) from ElevenForum is more recent (2025/12/24) and seems to have some additional policies to change, if you want to look at it. There seems to be some disrepancies as to what the **shitcall** policy is called. That ElevenForum post sees it as `Allow Recall to be enabled` while PG’s community wiki sees it as `Turn off saving snapshots of Windows`. Maybe they are **different** policies, or maybe they are the same policies and one of them is an **outdated** name. I can’t confirm since I am running Education edition, not Pro edition. * * * 1. [https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/windows/#windows-editions:~:text=equivalent%20to%20Enterprise](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/windows/#windows-editions:~:text=equivalent%20to%20Enterprise) [↩︎](#footnote-ref-133566-1) 2. As mentioned above: if you are running **Education edition** , this will probably not pop up. I am running that edition and this is nowhere to be seen for me. [↩︎](#footnote-ref-133566-2) --- ## Post 12 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-14T07:10:39Z > [@anon36227541](#): > > What AI features does the laptop provide to windows? Well, currently after the new installation and with the latest updates there are 4 AI components installed: AI Content Extraction, AI Image Search, AI Phi Silica, AI Semantic Analysis. There are no buttons to unstall these. I don’t think Recall or Copilot ae still installed/running as I added registry entries and also uninstalled these (Windows does provide options to uninstall Copilot). I also noticed that Recall was not checked when looking in the system configuration. Before the new Windows installation the lights on the touchpad which light up when AI is being used never lit up due to all the changes and debloating. But now after the new installation they light up whenever anything is entered into the Windows search bar and sometimes also when booting the computer. Unfortunately I do not have the option for Windows Pro, only Home, so no group policies :frowning: @Tux there are many threads on this, for example [this](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/which-linux-distros-are-more-secure-than-windows-are-selinux-and-wayland-enough/28744/28) one. --- ## Post 13 by @anon12918199 — 2026-01-14T07:16:42Z Consider switching to Win 11 IoT LTSC: [Windows LTSC Download | MAS](https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links) Last I used it, it didn’t come with AI. --- ## Post 14 by @user1 — 2026-01-14T08:08:28Z This should help > **[GitHub - zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI: Force Remove Copilot, Recall and More in Windows...](https://github.com/zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI)** > > Force Remove Copilot, Recall and More in Windows 11 --- ## Post 15 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-14T18:12:32Z Yes, I have seen this, I am just hesitant to run some random script. --- ## Post 16 by @Doommaniac666 — 2026-01-18T04:07:44Z I disabled both AI and Copilot in group policies. In computer configuration and in user configuration. Now let’s just hope it works. --- ## Post 17 by @bitsondatadev — 2026-01-18T06:33:28Z @leahh88g4 may I ask why you are sticking with Windows at this point? Is it preference, required for work, compatibility issue, or something else? In my view, there is no real way to permanently remove this stuff without it becoming a never ending job. In the 90s we all had fear of hackers writing code to breach our data and in the 20s were fearing the same but from Big Tech. In many cases I would recommemd you isolate your personal compute to OSes that aren’t designed to extract your work and activities and only use the windows installation for the activities it is required for and let the bloatware bloat. If you are deeply integrated in the windows ecosystem, I think the best use of your time in a privacy sense are slowly making choices to demicrosoft the applications you use so that switching off of Microsoft will become a viable option. In the meantime if there are clear simple options that will increase your privacy do so as others suggest, but know that staying on windows in the long term for personal use is a going to be a lot of continued and likely increasing amount of work. --- ## Post 18 by @yolakalemowa — 2026-01-18T07:51:29Z he already said he thinks there are security issues with Linux and referenced [this](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#missing-security-features). --- ## Post 19 by @anon16234852 — 2026-01-18T11:21:51Z It’s hardly a ‘random script’ anymore once it hits over 8,000 stars. --- ## Post 20 by @bitsondatadev — 2026-01-18T12:39:58Z Ah thanks I must have missed this. That said, I would say most of the dangers this poses can be mitigated through community consensus. Evil maid attacks require physical access so for most this shouldn’t be an issue. That said I don’t know you or your situation, but I would say this is a marginal area of concern reserved for journalists, government workers and politicians, or just very powerful or known people” The lack of sandbox and exploits will be quickly brought up in community watering holes, and any app you install on Linux you can do some validation on some forums. Even Microsoft can be vulnerable to these in the same way, remember that xz backdoor that Microsoft employee found a malicious maintainer contributed over like two years!? [What we know about the xz Utils backdoor that almost infected the world - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/04/what-we-know-about-the-xz-utils-backdoor-that-almost-infected-the-world/) That’s why having open source gossip networks makes me a lot less nervous about these lacking features. With Microsoft, you’ll never really know if you’ve turned all the data valves off and have to monitor any updates that may cause new ones to appear or old ones to open back up. You also don’t know when the scripting and other measures you take will eventually brick the OS from functioning. At least in open source land you fight a couple trolls and efforts make you more resiliant and able to keep yourself safe. With Windows you’re literally fighting Microsoft who stands everything to gain from removing your actual consent and has way more means to do so than random hacker person. Their ability to game the OS and your behavior has been something they’ve worked on since they took IBMs lead in the 80s. The company knows how to exploit behavior en masse. --- ## Post 21 by @bitsondatadev — 2026-01-18T12:48:08Z This feeds into the idea of the gossip networks I mentioned. That said, dont just rely on stars, read about the experience people have had in the issues section and across the web on other forums. Stars are a weak flattened metric that just tell you there’s been some eyeballs on this… I’m more interested in, what do the mouths and keyboards of those eyeballs have to say. --- ## Post 22 by @anon16234852 — 2026-01-18T13:24:58Z My comment wasn’t just about the star ratings. I’ve actually run all those scripts myself. It does mess with Windows components a bit, but that’s expected if you’re aiming for a total cleanup. Fixing it, though, is pretty easy. --- ## Post 23 by @leahh88g4 — 2026-01-18T15:46:48Z I wish I could just switch. If there were tutorials available on how to make Linux as desktop OS more secure,it would help a lot. Unfortunately everything is geared towards pro users who have no trouble hardening themselves. But again, many Cyber security experts say that even with hardening, Linus desktop OS cannot reach the security of a Windows, MAC, and certainly not Graphene…so what can the average user do? He can only decide between privacy OR security, but not both :confused: --- ## Post 24 by @bitsondatadev — 2026-01-18T16:55:53Z Oh yeah, sorry wasn’t saying you only look at stars but others reading this could misinterpret that stars are to be trusted alone. --- ## Post 25 by @bitsondatadev — 2026-01-18T18:15:47Z I am no cybersecurity expert, but when we see how people actually get malware to run on your system, it’s rarely from lack of hardening. Hardening is a way for users to feel like enough industry level folks have put their stamp of approval to know there’s enough bumpers in an operating system to mitigate the user not having a good enough security model on their own and lack critical thinking to avoid clicking on sketchy email links from copycat or extortion mail. That’s not to say that hardening isn’t valuable. Nobody has a perfect security model that predicts the future, but the overemphasis on hardening has become a way for large platforms like Microsoft and Apple monopolize on that sense of false relief that larger companies have more resources to combat these issues and make their systems impenetrable. Kick your legs up and we’ll take care of the rest. This might be true if it wasn’t for those [pesky humans using and providing access to their information to end to end encrypted conversations](https://www.404media.co/when-your-threat-model-is-being-a-moron-signal/). > [@leahh88g4](#): > > Unfortunately everything is geared towards pro users who have no trouble hardening themselves. I think this notion of a pro user that has epic level hacking skills you’ll never acheive is disappearing gradually through the use of gossip networks and communities like Privacy Guides aiming to make Privacy approachable to everyone. If you read at how some of the largest kingpins of drug and ransomware networks get caught, its almost never (maybe never?) because the government found a zero day exploit and traced down the logs or gained access to their system, its almost always because they [like to talk and have bad Operational Security](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7CD_Nl3iwhE). My point being, the single greatest vulnerability in systems are the users rather than the systems themselves. Humans exist in every target system. Do we need better guides for Linux hardening? Yes. One of the nice things abiut Microsoft or Apple is that there’s a single guide for each of their systems that are written by a fleet of employees. For Linux, we have e a fleet of volunteers, but given the flexibility, unless we’re talking about a standardized stack, it’s hard to get consensus on what is even worth writing if different variations introduce new variables. Very few times it does, but it can. So, there are [some resources that try to shed light on](https://www.thelinuxvault.net/linux-security-hardening/)general practices, but similar to trying to solve for privacy overnight will overwhelm you, become a full blown “hardcore" Linux user overnight will just burn you out. Linux is best approached from a playful mentality. Start with Ubuntu dual boot and maybe graduate to others depending on your needs. People may scream at me for suggesting Canonical over Microsoft and they both have e drawbacks. That said, Canonical unlike most Linux OSes has a fleet of employees writing guides and some of that missing security hardening in other systems. The community is a better example of what you can acheive with Linux gossip networks and gradual changes vs Microsoft’s unilateral rug pulling (admittedly better than Google). That enables time for people to start discussing breaking changes or even complain about them to the point of getting the core kernel developers to consider a different course. Also, Ubuntu has become one of the best and most documented Linux user experience. What’s even better is that you as an individual who is part of your own security model become far less of a threat to yourself and you don’t just need to trust Microsoft or Canonical hardening. You the user can level up in keeping yourself and friends safer. Gradual changes make huge differences. As @em says, you gotta eat that broccoli. No need to eat just broccoli for every meal, just add it slowly to your diet and you will gain privacy and autonomy. > [@leahh88g4](#): > > so what can the average user do? He can only decide between privacy OR security, but not both :confused: Choose yourself and slowly tap into your potential to give yourself the proper knowledge to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and preserve your privacy. Outsourcing that to a company who invades your privacy and keeps you in a security model that coddles and limits your own growth is a losing strategy. Little steps and people here on PG can help along with the nicer Linux people. :slight_smile: --- ## Post 26 by @J0shXe — 2026-01-19T19:58:45Z Copilot is build in feature from W11 as I remember, so option is to change your OS to Linux or use older W10 version. There are some more sophisticated options, just not sure what your technical level here. Also depends from use case. --- ## Post 27 by @anon16234852 — 2026-01-19T20:23:44Z You can effortlessly get rid of the unnecessary stuff, as long as you get the Pro version.