How to Remove AI Apps from Windows 11 (Copilot, Recall, and More)

You can remove every AI app Microsoft has quietly installed on Windows 11 — Copilot, Clipchamp, Recall, and more — using Winhance, a free open-source tool I built specifically for this. Run a single PowerShell command to install it, check the AI apps you want gone, and enable continuous removal to block Windows Update from sneaking them back. Here’s exactly how.

Applies to: Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 2, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Windows 11 now ships with at least 7 AI-powered apps installed or pre-loaded, including Copilot, Clipchamp, and AI features baked into Paint and Notepad.
• Winhance can remove all of them at once — select the apps you want gone, hit apply, and they’re uninstalled in seconds.
• Continuous removal keeps them off permanently — Winhance creates scheduled tasks that automatically re-remove any AI app that Windows Update tries to reinstall.
• You can proactively block apps you don’t even have yet — select apps like Recall before they appear on your system, and Winhance will prevent them from ever installing.
• If you reinstall an app through Winhance later, it’s smart enough to remove that app from the continuous removal list so it won’t get deleted again.

Quick Steps

1. Open PowerShell and run irm winhance.net | iex to install Winhance.
2. Open the Application Management section in Winhance.
3. Select the AI apps you want to remove (Copilot, Clipchamp, Paint, Notepad, Edge, Recall, etc.).
4. Check “Save removal scripts to ensure continuous removal” to keep them off permanently.
5. Click Apply to remove the selected apps.
6. Optionally, go to External Software in Winhance to install replacements like Notepad++.

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Which AI Apps Does Windows 11 Install?

Microsoft has been aggressively pushing AI into Windows 11 over the past year. What started with Copilot has expanded into a full suite of AI-powered apps that appear on your system — often without you asking for them. Here’s what’s currently being installed or pre-loaded on Windows 11 machines.

• Microsoft Copilot — The standalone AI assistant app. It pins itself to the taskbar and Start menu after feature updates.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot — A separate app from regular Copilot, tied to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Clipchamp — Microsoft’s AI-powered video editor, pre-installed on all Windows 11 systems.
• Paint — The classic app now has Copilot AI image generation features baked in.
• Notepad — Even Notepad now includes Copilot AI text rewriting capabilities.
• Microsoft Edge — Packed with Copilot AI features throughout the browser.
• Recall — Available on Copilot+ PCs, this app takes continuous screenshots of everything you do and uses AI to make it searchable.

The problem isn’t just that these apps exist — it’s that Windows Update regularly reinstalls them even after you remove them manually. That’s the exact problem I built Winhance to solve.

How to Install Winhance

Winhance is free, open-source, and installs with a single PowerShell command. There’s no installer wizard, no bundled software, and no account required. You can also choose a portable version if you prefer not to install anything.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. Paste the following command and press Enter:

irm "https://get.winhance.net" | iex

1. The installer will ask if you want a normal install or portable install. Choose whichever you prefer — both work the same way.
2. Once installed, Winhance opens automatically and you’re ready to start removing apps.

Tip: If you’ve never used Winhance before, check out my full Winhance guide for a complete overview of everything it can do beyond just removing AI apps.

How to Remove AI Apps with Winhance

Once Winhance is open, removing AI apps takes about 30 seconds. The interface groups removable apps into clear categories, so you can pick exactly what you want gone.

1. In Winhance, navigate to the Application Management section.
2. You’ll see a list of installed Microsoft apps, including all the AI-powered ones. Select the ones you want to remove:
   • Clipchamp
   • Microsoft Copilot
   • Microsoft 365 Copilot
   • Notepad (AI version)
   • Paint (AI version)
   • Microsoft Edge
   • Recall (Copilot+ PCs only)
3. Click Apply to remove all selected apps at once.

One thing I specifically designed into Winhance: you can select apps that aren’t currently installed on your system. This is useful for apps like Recall that may not be on your PC yet but could appear after a future Windows Update. By selecting them now, you’re telling Winhance to block them proactively.

If you want to disable Copilot without fully uninstalling it, you can do that through Windows settings instead. But if you want it completely gone, Winhance is the fastest option.

How to Keep AI Apps Off Your PC Permanently

This is the feature that makes Winhance different from manually uninstalling apps. Windows Update has a habit of reinstalling apps you’ve already removed — especially Copilot. The continuous removal feature stops that from happening.

Before you click Apply, check the box labeled “Save removal scripts to ensure continuous removal”. This tells Winhance to create scheduled tasks in Windows Task Scheduler that monitor for reinstalled apps. If Windows Update sneaks an app back onto your system, the scheduled task detects it and removes it again automatically.

I tested this on camera to prove it works. I manually reinstalled Copilot through the Microsoft Store after it had been removed by Winhance. After a restart, the continuous removal script detected the unauthorized reinstall and removed Copilot again within about 15 seconds. No manual intervention needed.

Tip: The continuous removal scripts only target apps that were removed through Winhance. If you later decide you want an app back and install it through Winhance’s External Software section, the tool automatically updates the removal list so it won’t delete that app again.

This smart behavior is important. If you install an app through Winhance that was previously removed, Winhance recognizes it as an intentional install and removes it from the continuous removal list. It only catches reinstalls that happen outside of Winhance — like when Windows Update puts Copilot back without your permission.

How to Replace Removed Apps

After removing AI-heavy apps like Notepad and Paint, you’ll probably want replacements. Winhance has a built-in External Software section that lets you install popular alternatives directly — no need to hunt for download links.

For example, after removing the AI version of Notepad, you can install Notepad++ straight from Winhance. It’s a far more capable text editor without any AI features forced on you.

Some popular replacements available through Winhance’s External Software section:

• Notepad++ — Lightweight, powerful text editor with syntax highlighting and tabs.
• Alternative browsers — Replace Microsoft Edge with your preferred browser.
• Classic Paint alternatives — If you used Paint for basic image editing, lightweight alternatives are available without the AI overhead.

Remember: any app you install through Winhance is automatically excluded from the continuous removal list. So you don’t need to worry about Winhance fighting against itself.

Why Microsoft Keeps Reinstalling AI Apps

If you’re wondering why you need a tool like Winhance in the first place — it’s because Microsoft treats AI app removal as temporary. Every major Windows Update can reset your app selections and reinstall things you’ve already removed. This is by design, not a bug.

Microsoft’s business strategy increasingly relies on AI integration across Windows. Copilot, Recall, and the AI features in everyday apps like Paint and Notepad are central to that strategy. When you remove them, Windows Update sees them as “missing components” and reinstalls them during the next feature update.

That’s exactly why I added the continuous removal feature to Winhance. A one-time uninstall isn’t enough anymore. You need something actively watching for unauthorized reinstalls and cleaning them up automatically. The scheduled tasks Winhance creates run with minimal system resources and only activate when needed.

What About Copilot+ PCs and Recall?

If you have a Copilot+ PC (a device with an NPU chip meeting Microsoft’s requirements), you may also have Recall installed or queued for installation. Recall continuously takes screenshots of everything on your screen and uses AI to make that history searchable.

Even if Recall isn’t on your system yet, you can select it in Winhance and enable continuous removal. This ensures that if a future Windows Update tries to install Recall, it gets blocked immediately. This proactive approach is the safest way to handle apps you don’t want anywhere near your PC.

For standard Windows 11 PCs without an NPU, Recall won’t install on its own. But selecting it in Winhance as a precaution costs nothing and takes one extra checkbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winhance safe to use?

Yes. Winhance is open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code on GitHub. I built it as a transparent tool for the Windows community. It doesn’t modify system files or break Windows Update — it only removes apps and creates standard scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler.

Will removing these apps break anything in Windows 11?

No. All the AI apps listed here are standalone applications, not core Windows components. Removing Copilot, Clipchamp, or the AI features in Paint and Notepad does not affect system stability. Windows 11 continues to function normally without them.

Can I get the apps back after removing them?

Absolutely. If you change your mind, you can reinstall any removed app through Winhance’s External Software section or through the Microsoft Store. If you install an app through Winhance, it automatically removes that app from the continuous removal list so it won’t be deleted again.

Does the continuous removal feature use a lot of system resources?

No. The continuous removal scripts run as lightweight scheduled tasks in Windows Task Scheduler. They only activate when triggered (such as after a Windows Update) and use negligible CPU and memory. You won’t notice any performance impact.

Do I need to run Winhance as administrator?

Yes. Since Winhance removes system-installed apps and creates scheduled tasks, it requires administrator privileges. The PowerShell install command (irm winhance.net | iex) should be run in an elevated (admin) PowerShell window.