Topic: 9000002 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Professional sku @ AskWoody

9000002 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Professional sku
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- This topic has 26 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 9 months, 3 weeks ago.
Tags: ADML ADMX block Copilo gpedit profile
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Susan Bradley
Manager

December 3, 2023 at 12:24 am #2607631

9000002 Blocking Copilot in Windows 10 and 11 Professional sku

For computers with the Pro sku, the behavior is different based if machines are controlled by a patching tool or merely looking at Microsoft update for their patching.

Unmanaged computers will see the Copilot option earlier. You can use the same GUI or registry keys indicated in the Home sku post.

When the December 2023 (or later) updates are installed on Windows 10 or November updates (or later) are installed on Windows 11 22H2, or you have the Windows 11 23H2 feature release is installed, then the group policies will be installed on your system. If you have Pro and do NOT yet see these group policy settings, you don’t yet have the patch that includes Copilot.

Blocking copilot in the operating system

In a firm if you normally control with group policy you can download the ADML and ADMX file to the central store and set the following policy:

User Configuration then Administrative Templates then Windows Components then Windows Copilot

Double-click the “Turn off Windows Copilot” policy.

Select Enabled option.

If later on you would like to re-enable CoPilot, simply set the policy to disabled.

Note you cannot uninstall Copilot using any uninstall tool you can only enable it or disable it.

Blocking Copilot in Edge

Once again you can use the GUI to instruct users to disable Copilot in Edge or follow the following group policy settings:

Copilot in Edge | Microsoft Learn

Admins can use multiple group policy settings to manage the behavior of the Copilot in Edge sidebar:

To allow or block Copilot in Edge from using browsing context, use the DiscoverPageContextEnabled policy. This prevents Copilot from using webpage or PDF content from being used to respond to prompts.

To disable Copilot in Edge entirely, use the HubsSidebarEnabled policy. Blocking Copilot in Edge automatically blocks all Edge sidebar apps from being enabled.

Instructions for how to manage Copilot in Edge on Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android can be found here: Manage Microsoft Edge on iOS and Android with Intune.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

This topic was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Susan Bradley.

This topic was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Susan Bradley.

This topic was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Susan Bradley.

This topic was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Susan Bradley.

12 users thanked author for this post.

CraigS26, ps2244, Norio, TygerDad, abbodi86, pandarunnerpt, O Boogie, Great Lake Bunyip, DLivesInTexas, jburk07, lmacri, Alex5723

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Viewing 8 reply threads
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- Alex5723
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 3, 2023 at 12:44 am #2607649
  
  Susan Bradley wrote:
  
  Unmanaged computers will see the Copilot option earlier.
  
  Using GPEdit changing settings turn an ‘unmanaged’ PC to ‘Managed by Organization’ PC.
  
  Reply | Quote
- Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  December 3, 2023 at 12:49 am #2607653
  
  I used GPedit on a machine here at home and still got Copilot, so I’d recommend you be proactive and not consider “Managed by….” message you get from controlling updating would keep it off machines. Especially 23h2 ones.
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  1 user thanked author for this post.
  
  Alex5723
  
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- Douglas
  Guest
  
  December 3, 2023 at 11:12 am #2607703
  
  What is the logical reasoning for blocking or disabling it instead of just ignoring it for Windows 11 Pro 23H2 non-enterprise home users?
  
  Reply | Quote
- Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  December 3, 2023 at 1:08 pm #2607815
  
  Choice. Like I said, you can ignore it if you want.
  
  I just have a business mentality and remove things that we don’t use, don’t want people to abuse, or don’t consider ready and buggy. Given that it’s got “PRE” right on the icon, even Microsoft indicates this is Pre-release.
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  1 user thanked author for this post.
  
  jburk07
  
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- Paul T
  AskWoody MVP
  
  December 3, 2023 at 11:14 am #2607792
  
  You can ignore it, but some of us prefer not to have it on our machines in the first place.
  Each to their own.
  
  cheers, Paul
  
  4 users thanked author for this post.
  
  gwt10, jburk07, NaNoNyMouse, cyberSAR
  
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- b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 3, 2023 at 12:07 pm #2607799
  
  And some of us prefer to use it because it’s really useful.
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  December 3, 2023 at 1:11 pm #2607816
  
  I just know the underlying tool that it’s built on can be totally wrong and provide incorrect information. It needs work. When it no longer says “PRE” then I think it should be considered. Otherwise, I think it’s too early to be releasing it to all non managed computers. It should be kept on the insider/testing release, not on machines that people rely on.
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  2 users thanked author for this post.
  
  Mr. Wizard, jburk07
  
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  b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 3, 2023 at 1:25 pm #2607820
  
  It’s not always perfect (and never will be):
  
  Copilot wrote:
  
  However, AI can make mistakes. For example, I might mix up numbers and dates, or make a suggestion that isn’t helpful to you. Use your own judgment and double check the facts before making decisions or taking action based on my answers. You can always ask, “Where did you get that information?” to learn more about my sources and get links to the web content I referenced.
  
  But it’s better than anything else for answering obscure questions.
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  December 3, 2023 at 5:58 pm #2607924
  
  I honestly disagree. Google or even Alta Vista back in it’s day would provide better context and resources. I’ve seen situations especially in tech results that take answers from Microsoft, Apple and Android and present it like it was an answer for one operating system. The three resources give vastly incorrect answers.
  
  Furthermore, I’ve asked questions and found it to be totally wrong. It presents the information such that people are not searching the sources, nor are the vetting the sources. Like I said, when it stops showcasing that it’s in pre-release then it can be reviewed, otherwise it honestly should be an opt in beta test, not a mandatory test that all of us are subject to.
  
  The vendors need to focus on vetting more and verifying more. I write this on a computer that has an HP smart app that was shoved to it because clearly someone didn’t vet the deployment properly. Before we shove Copilot out to everyone, how about we clean up the HP smart mess and the Dev Home deployment first?
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  8 users thanked author for this post.
  
  TygerDad, KevinTMC, allanhm47, DLivesInTexas, gwt10, jburk07, windbg, NaNoNyMouse
  
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- Alex5723
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 3, 2023 at 1:32 pm #2607821
  
  b wrote:
  
  But it’s better than anything else for answering obscure questions
  
  No, its not.
  
  2 users thanked author for this post.
  
  Graham, gwt10
  
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- b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 3, 2023 at 2:24 pm #2607844
  
  Go on then: What’s better?
  
  BTW, have you used Copilot:
  
  b wrote:
  
  What have you tried to do with it?
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  DrBonzo
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 3, 2023 at 3:23 pm #2607865
  
  ‘Better’ doesn’t mean ‘good’. The presence of a product in the marketplace does not mean the product is ‘good’, nor does it mean the product should be used. What it probably means is that whoever put the product in the marketplace thought they could make money.
  
  2 users thanked author for this post.
  
  gwt10, NaNoNyMouse
  
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  b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 3, 2023 at 3:41 pm #2607867
  
  I’m judging by practice, not presence.
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  DrBonzo
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 3, 2023 at 6:03 pm #2607929
  
  So, is it ‘good’ or merely ‘better’?
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  December 3, 2023 at 6:03 pm #2607930
  
  Yes. The results in the Copilot are basically the results in the Edge browser with Bing. I have to regularly scroll down or go to duck duck go to find better results.
  
  May I also request that these conversations in the forums below the KB be more about the content of the post?
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  3 users thanked author for this post.
  
  Graham, gwt10, DrBonzo
  
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- The_Expanse_Is_Brilliant
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 9, 2023 at 1:44 pm #2610124
  
  Wierd and very annoying experience with trying to prevent Copilot rubbish installing/working….
  
  Installed .reg file (the fixed one) from above on my desktop PC (Win 10Pro) and parents PC I manage remotely (TeamViewer). Changed all accounts to admin to install and reverted to local admin after (as has a current user entry). This morning (2023/11/09) Ai.exe starts with MS Office 365 etc../ (furious at MS!). installed .admx and ADML (in US and GB folder as UK install).
  
  But this is not the worst of it… the ADML&ADMX only seems to work on ONE login per PC, i.e.
  
  I works on one of three of the accounts on Parents PC – thankfully on the person least able to cope/remember the slow-down caused by this problem.
  
  On My PC, my main local-user account is OK, my personal Admin level account (for sysadmin stuff) it does not work. on both machines the patches were installed using the ADMIN account, but only ONE local user account actual adheres to the policy, all others ignore it.
  
  Note both systems are very different build ages, parents was rebuilt a few months ago 100% clean build, as were the accounts (local only, but sign into MS Account from Settings to enable MS Office 365 subscription.)
  
  Mine was built in 2019 and has the exact same symptoms – livable as my primary login is accepting the GPEDIT policy, but on my parents PC my sisters account is ignoring it.
  
  ONLY for sister and parents PC admin account outlook starts up 5 to 6 MS Edge Webview2 instances that I do not see in the account that obeys the GPEDIT profile
  
  On My PC the Admin account that does ignore the GPEDIT profile does not see the additional MS Edge Webview2 instances…
  
  Very strange… and very disheartening that Microsoft is being so arrogant, disadainful of its users and their desires and so incompetent in its implementation of new features.
  
  Reply | Quote
- b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 9, 2023 at 4:59 pm #2610179
  
  The Group Policy .admx/.adml files disable Copilot for the Current User
  
  ALL users (as confirmed twice in the screenshots of the first post).
  
  But could be applied only to non-Adminstrators if done differently:
  Enable or Disable Windows Copilot for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  How to Apply Local Group Policy to Non-Administrators
  
  Office 365 is not covered by GP.
  
  AI.exe in Office 365 can be blocked with Group Policy:
  
  https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/disable-bing-and-m365-ai/3c3fdbd3-8e29-4e58-b4e1-df43681c09c0#:~:text=You%20can%20also,changes%20the%20filenames.
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  The_Expanse_Is_Brilliant
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 10, 2023 at 3:45 am #2610318
  
  Thanks, but as I said I installed the reg (per user) block – user by user for all FIVE users (2 on my PC and 3 on parents PC), I once I noticed AI.exe starting up on one login on my PC and two on parents PC, I then installed the admx and adml as per instructions you referenced.
  
  I then checked (post installation of admx & adml) that the GPEDIT.msc policy was present there and was enabled… it was in ALL five accounts… but still it starts on those three out of five accounts on two PC’s
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  b
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  December 10, 2023 at 4:53 am #2610330
  
  Windows 11 Copilot says AI.exe is not part of Windows 11 Copilot:
  
  No, the file %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\Office16\ai.exe is not Copilot. It is a part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Host that Microsoft 365 adds to Windows 11 and Windows 10 *. The AI Host is a service that manages various instances of ai.exe across Office desktop apps *. It may be related to powering Microsoft 365 Copilot integration, but it is not the same as Windows 11 Copilot *.
  
  * Microsoft 365 quietly adds Artificial Intelligence (AI) Host to Windows 11, Windows 10 — April 10, 2023
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  The_Expanse_Is_Brilliant
  AskWoody Plus
  
  December 10, 2023 at 6:36 am #2610353
  
  Found a Fix…, well I tried this… and it works 100% (i.e.; seven out of seven accounts across 2 desktop PCs are now AI.exe free…)
  
  The core issue was that eradicate ‘AI.exe’ (and the wbeview2 instances), turns out to be the ‘Turn Off All Connected Experiences’ option in ‘Privacy Settings’ in ‘Trust Centre’ in ‘Outlook Options’ is the critical one.
  
  Once that is done AI.exe no longer launches – confirmed on 7 (local only) accounts on Two different Windows 10 Pro (22H2) pc’s – note still on ‘Nov 2023’ update level and NO optional updates installed.
  
  3 users thanked author for this post.
  
  DLivesInTexas, windbg, PKCano
  
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- Linda Sylor
  Guest
  
  July 3, 2024 at 9:28 am #2685239
  
  Thanks for sharing this information!
  
  Reply | Quote
- ve2mrx
  AskWoody Plus
  
  July 3, 2024 at 11:10 pm #2685376
  
  Hi,
  
  Quick question: What is the source of the ADML and ADMX files? Any source link I could save?
  
  Thanks,
  Martin
  
  Reply | Quote
- Susan Bradley
  Manager
  
  July 3, 2024 at 11:12 pm #2685417
  
  Install a Windows 11 23H2 and I had to dig them out of the operating system at the time.
  
  Download Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) from Official Microsoft Download Center
  
  They should be buried in there.
  
  Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
  
  1 user thanked author for this post.
  
  ve2mrx
  
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- audeq45
  AskWoody Plus
  
  July 4, 2024 at 1:24 pm #2685597
  
  I’m totally lost as far as blocking/removing Copilot. This is a Dell Inspiron 3471 desktop with Win 10 22H2. I went into the Local Group Policy and there is very little there at all. I clicked on all 8 folders and most are empty. The other 2 have no long list of anything. I’ve always updated when Susan gave the go-ahead. My last update was on June 11, 2024, and I blocked updates until July 16. I’m running Office 2019 Home and Student, my last Office update was May.
  
  Is there something different about buying a Dell computer with the operating system pre-installed that I don’t know about?
  
  Reply | Quote
- TechTango
  AskWoody Plus
  
  July 4, 2024 at 5:13 pm #2685644
  
  audeq45 wrote:
  
  This is a Dell Inspiron 3471 desktop with Win 10 22H2.
  
  Home or Pro?
  
  Desktop Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.
  
  Reply | Quote
- audeq45
  AskWoody Plus
  
  July 5, 2024 at 8:51 am #2685738
  
  I have Win 1o Pro installed. Thanks for asking.
  
  Reply | Quote
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