Hate Copilot in Windows 11? Free privacy tools can now get rid of the AI
DoNotSpy11, a free anti-tracking tool that aims to keep your privacy levels in Windows 11 (and 10) stricter, just got an update that allows it to deal with Copilot – just like O&O ShutUp10 (we’ll get to that later).
Tom’s hardware saw that the new version of DoNotSpy11 (v1.2.0.0) comes with support for Windows 11 23H2, the freshly released annual update for this year.
The 23H2 update, as you may know, comes with Copilot and puts the AI as the default icon in your taskbar. If you don’t want that, DoNotSpy11 now lets you disable that button – although you can do this in Windows 11 anyway.
In addition, however, DoNotSpy11 has an option to disable Copilot completely, which is a new introduction to the app’s suite of privacy-preserving measures.
In addition, there are many more privacy options, including disabling various elements of Windows 11 telemetry (data about operating system usage sent back to Microsoft), getting rid of lock screen notifications, disabling widgets, and more .
DoNotSpy11 also goes to great lengths to address many of Microsoft’s attempts to sneak ads into Windows 11’s user interface. That includes disabling ads in File Explorer, suggestions in Windows Ink Workspace and the Settings app, as well as suggestions for the Start Menu app, and more besides.
Another similar offering, O&O ShutUp10 (which supports both Windows 11 and Windows 10), addresses Windows privacy concerns and adjusts settings to bypass Microsoft’s telemetry in a similar way.
That app was recently updated to also disable Copilot and remove the taskbar button.
You can check out and download DoNotSpy11 hereor O&O ShutUp10 hereboth of which are free.
Analysis: Two long-standing options
Both DoNotSpy11 and O&O ShutUp10 have been around for a while (indeed, the former was DoNotSpy10 before Windows 11 existed).
We should note that the original version (the initial DoNotSpy10 for Windows 10) allegedly had an ad pushing plugin (ironically for something designed to preserve your privacy). This wasn’t malware, but we’re told it has been identified as a potentially unwanted program (or PUP) by some antivirus apps. The free version of DoNotSpy10 at least had this when it first launched, but that’s no longer the case (DoNotSpy11’s product description is thankfully clearly marked as ‘ad-free’).
An advantage of the O&O ShutUp10++ alternative is that it does not need to be installed; it can just be run directly from the download folder, which is handy.
In either case, however, you proceed at your own risk, although that applies to any piece of third-party software for Windows 11.
The ability to ditch Copilot will certainly be a temptation for some people who don’t want the AI on their desktop. While many users embrace Copilot and are excited about its capabilities, there will always be more cautious types who don’t want the AI on their desktop – especially now, in its early stages, when Copilot has the ability to interact with Windows settings 11 are still very limited.