This wizard-based tool is great for stripping Copilot out of Windows 11. The instructions it provides are clear and it offers (and by default enables) rollback points in case anything goes wrong in the future.
It's been a decade since I last used Windows on actual hardware, to the point where my skills at it have genuinely atrophied from using only Linux for so long, and I didn't break anything when I used it on a new Windows 11 work laptop from a client!
DuckDuckGo search engine offers AI summaries by default 🤬 , but if you set up a custom search engine in your browser noai.duckduckgo.com?q=%s it won't use AI at all.
The Vivaldi web browser doesn't use AI, though I think the default search engine is Google.
@ariarhythmic These are not people who can install their own software in general so while I will mention it (for sure! all the options!) I suspect it will not be an option for them.
Presented for Public Library Association 2026 Conference. Presented again 2026-05-28 for ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom continuing-education series.
I'm actually more worried about the humans around me pushing me to use AI than I am about the intrusive pushes to use AI in a lot of software. It's way easier to click "No" on a box in the software, even if I have to do it every time, than to resist my boss saying "just run it through AI to polish up the writing" all the time. I like to think I can write better than the AI can, and I'd rather not have my carefully chosen wording degraded into generic AI speak.
@glecharles I like them conceptually but they're really busy and I may have to cull them down into simpler steps. I liked your bit in Jane's newsletter today!
Disabling Copilot is not particularly simple, as it involves editing the registry, and even that doesn't totally remove menu items from some apps. It's also important to understand that if your PC isn't new enough to have a neural processor, the worst features don't function, anyway. This is true even for current models of PCs. I have a 2025 Dell Inspiron 5440 with an Intel Core 7 150U CPU, which does not have a neural processing unit and is therefore not Copilot+ PC certified.
The best way to get rid of Copilot is to install Linux, and I also know how to remap the Copilot key on newer keyboards back to being my Right Alt key, which is important as its the default position of the Compose key in Linux.
@gcvsa Yeah this is generally not a Linux crowd but I will forward it as an option. If there is a Linux distro that is easy/possible to install on old Macs (with instructions) that is what I am looking for, personally.
@gcvsa I’m liking @elementary on my 2015 MacBook Pro. I’ve had a few adaptation issues, but the trackpad behavior and gestures are close enough to what I’m used to that it doesn’t feel as foreign as, say, Linux Mint.
@fedward @elementary I haven't used elementary since 0.4, and at that time, it was OK, but maybe still a little rough around the edges. I'm sure it's improved since then.
You can almost get old-school Google back without the "AI" slop—works best on Firefox but some improvement on other browsers blog.zgp.org/fix-google-search…
The only trick I know for getting rid of #AI (where it tends to show up uninvited) is when typing in a search prompt, you can put a hyphen-AI either before it or after it. For example:
-ai names of actors who played Robin Hood OR names of actors who played Robin Hood -ai
This not only gets rid of the annoying #AIsummary (which often contains hallucinations and irrelevant information), but it also tends to give better search results, in my experience.
It’s really getting bad; I searched for something Monday that would’ve come right up a year ago, but instead I got stuck with a huge AI explanation that didn’t have diddly squat to do with the resource I was looking for—and I was using DuckDuckGo.
I have consolidated many of these suggestions into a document with a few other links. Anything major that I am missing? This is mostly for the types of users I interact with (mainly older adults) so I did not include things like Slack and I'm not sure about things I don't use much like Outlook or Facebook. Other suggestions for links about removing AI geared towards not-very-technical people?
Removing AI from stuff How to spot AI Hallucinations like a Reference Librarian Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs &c) In Gmail, click the Settings (gear) icon, and then select See all settings.
this just popped on my timeline, so thank you for taking the time to put this together 🙏 Does DuckDuckGo's no-ai page merit a mention? noai.duckduckgo.com/
@rrb @cynblogger Yep was looking for something with maximum collaboration options and then I will probably self-host when I've got it more into its final form.
The irony of using a Google doc, a service loaded with AI, to list how to remove AI is in many ways genius - it's teaching AI the answer when folk ask how to strip it away
@antony Google is loaded with AI, much of which is turn-offable and mine is all turned off. It does allow for good collaboration. Once this doc feels more "final form-ish" I will self host somewhere with no AI. The irony is not lost on me, but realistically people are using what they use, they just want the AI in it to be less-intrusive.
Trying not to be the reply guy, but may I please challenge the assumption that you have "turned AI off"?
Sure, maybe you clicked a toggle on something, maybe you then see changes on the screen, but if there's a way to tell whether google is still using AI on your stuff (but just not showing you) I haven't heard about it. What am I missing?
Last time Ars updated, you had to turn off both Copilot, and the then-revealed sidebar button, in order to get the Edge main menu button to appear in the corner, like it should do. arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/1…
I don't remember having to turn off the sidebar last week though, only Copilot.
@debcha IMO the easiest way to disable as much of the W11 guff is through O&O's ShutUp10++. The rest of what it does can be confusing, but it has a dedicated section to turn all the generative crud off with three or so click.
Beyond that, would love for it to be hosted somewhere without Google tracking on the links. In my experience, exporting it to a Markdown hosted by Codeberg is one of the easier options.
this is a tangent if you'll forgive, but: would it be useful to have a short link service solely dedicated to instructional content? Like (fake dream URL as example) how.to/remove-ai
To gather knowledge and develop skills. This is the main objective to visit a library. 'instant' answers produced by an #LLM provides neither of those.
one suggestion is not to use Chrome, which is just loaded with "AI" sea lions. But the thing is just everywhere; I don't think that's a realistic suggestion unfortunately.
@Raven Onthill @Jessamyn You use Android phone then there is no escape. Whatever you do. If it's root-able get Graphene or another OS if not just take it in as you can not avoid it at all with all your tricks etc. On PC I'm lucky I use an old Intell OSX, as for Windows users...
@Jessamyn I love AI. I want an AI girlfriend to gimme a hard on etc I want it all! I want it to cook for me and it gives me cheapest nearest junk food to put in microwave for under 3$
@Jessamyn I made like 5 different LLM's with open source compiling huggingface (cmake as its a .cpp) then get the gguf of the model of wish and run it on localhost wit a RAG system to make it deliver quality. 3 different OS's So it runs with no internet, no API no thing else then what I fed it as RAG usually manpages. This what you say is not for me indeed. Apart from the rag it falls back to it's native db from 2023. The scraping of the man-pages and official docs happen with a friendly HTML request. to then orchestrate (with a script mostly Py) to make my LLM read it. So In short I know a lot about it and I stick to my point that I hate corporate AI but love AI. My UI is any browser with URL address 127.0.0.1/8080 or 0.0.0.0/8080 So every closed session or browser shut down means all is gone. You'll click those 2 links just to get nothing because there is no server up there, and that is what the launch up command is once in the directory . I'll get the interface that forgets all once closed.
13 barn owls in a trenchcoat
in reply to Jessamyn • • •This wizard-based tool is great for stripping Copilot out of Windows 11. The instructions it provides are clear and it offers (and by default enables) rollback points in case anything goes wrong in the future.
github.com/zoicware/RemoveWind…
GitHub - zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI: Force Remove Copilot, Recall and More in Windows 11
GitHubreshared this
MrPhilSlade and ComputerNut43 reshared this.
Jessamyn
in reply to 13 barn owls in a trenchcoat • • •13 barn owls in a trenchcoat
in reply to Jessamyn • • •firebreathingduck
in reply to Jessamyn • • •DuckDuckGo search engine offers AI summaries by default 🤬 , but if you set up a custom search engine in your browser noai.duckduckgo.com?q=%s it won't use AI at all.
The Vivaldi web browser doesn't use AI, though I think the default search engine is Google.
Good luck.
Robert
in reply to firebreathingduck • • •Aria <3
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Aria <3 • • •fnord
in reply to Jessamyn • • •this is Mozilla's own: support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/f…
LibGuide about removing AI from search: libguides.brown.edu/english/AI…
Also uBlock has a blocklist for AI widgets (Chrome is currently blocking uBlock for less experienced users) but no Libguide for that sadly.
Good luck.
LibGuides: English Literature: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Karen BouchardDorothea Salo
in reply to Jessamyn • • •IT'S HANNAH CYRUS! I am such a fan.
speakerdeck.com/dsalo/protecti…
Protecting Patrons with Digital Vendors
Dorothea Salo (Speaker Deck)Laura
in reply to Dorothea Salo • • •Also -- Extra excited about your Constitution Day program! 🤩
Jessamyn
in reply to Laura • • •Roger Moore
in reply to Jessamyn • • •gary
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to gary • • •Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Resources – Library Freedom Project
chad (Library Freedom Project)Jessamyn
in reply to Guy LeCharles Gonzalez • • •Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Thanks!
And yes, the design is busier than it needs to be, but the intent is good. At least they're not AI designs! 😅
Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐 • • •Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐 • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐 • • •Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to Jessamyn • • •fedward
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to fedward • • •Don Marti
in reply to Jessamyn • • •fix Google Search
blog.zgp.orgEla - TechnicalOtter
in reply to Jessamyn • • •for macOS and iOS cnet.com/tech/services-and-sof…
I can provide a screenshot of where it is in systemprefs on both macos Sequoia and Tahoe, in the off and not set up states.
how-to-turn-off-apple-intelligence
www.cnet.comAnneTheWriter
in reply to Jessamyn • • •The only trick I know for getting rid of #AI (where it tends to show up uninvited) is when typing in a search prompt, you can put a hyphen-AI either before it or after it. For example:
-ai names of actors who played Robin Hood
OR
names of actors who played Robin Hood -ai
This not only gets rid of the annoying #AIsummary (which often contains hallucinations and irrelevant information), but it also tends to give better search results, in my experience.
#ArtificialIntelligence #HowToGoogle #BooleanOperators #AIsummaries #Googling #SearchTricks #AvoidingAI
Betwixt & Between
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Jessamyn • • •I have consolidated many of these suggestions into a document with a few other links. Anything major that I am missing? This is mostly for the types of users I interact with (mainly older adults) so I did not include things like Slack and I'm not sure about things I don't use much like Outlook or Facebook. Other suggestions for links about removing AI geared towards not-very-technical people?
docs.google.com/document/d/1nY…
Removing AI from stuff
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alexandra dunn
in reply to Jessamyn • • •How to Turn Off Google AI Overview and Set "Web" as Default
Ten Blue LinksRomain Pouclet
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Does DuckDuckGo's no-ai page merit a mention? noai.duckduckgo.com/
DuckDuckGo No-AI: Private Search Without AI
DuckDuckGoJessamyn
in reply to Romain Pouclet • • •RRB
in reply to Jessamyn • • •CynBlogger™️🇺🇸 ❌👑
in reply to Jessamyn • • •RRB
in reply to CynBlogger™️🇺🇸 ❌👑 • • •Jessamyn
in reply to RRB • • •RRB
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Antony 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Antony 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 • • •Mitch Rose
in reply to Jessamyn • • •@antony
Trying not to be the reply guy, but may I please challenge the assumption that you have "turned AI off"?
Sure, maybe you clicked a toggle on something, maybe you then see changes on the screen, but if there's a way to tell whether google is still using AI on your stuff (but just not showing you) I haven't heard about it. What am I missing?
Alan
in reply to Jessamyn • • •MS Edge?
Last time Ars updated, you had to turn off both Copilot, and the then-revealed sidebar button, in order to get the Edge main menu button to appear in the corner, like it should do.
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/1…
I don't remember having to turn off the sidebar last week though, only Copilot.
How to declutter, quiet down, and take the AI out of Windows 11 25H2
Andrew Cunningham (Ars Technica)sen
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to sen • • •sen
in reply to sen • • •Enno Rehling
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Enno Rehling • • •Jennifer Moore 😷
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Tim Murtaugh
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Jessamyn
in reply to Tim Murtaugh • • •Arty-chan (Cynthia)
in reply to Jessamyn • • •I haven't reviewed these but may be helpful:
support.microsoft.com/en-us/pr…
easytweaks.com/stop-copilot-in…
How to turn off Copilot in Outlook and remove AI suggestions?
Dave (EasyTweaks.com)Frank Heijkamp
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Eivind
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Raven Onthill
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕
in reply to Raven Onthill • — (0.0.0.0/ 0) •If it's root-able get Graphene or another OS if not just take it in as you can not avoid it at all with all your tricks etc.
On PC I'm lucky I use an old Intell OSX, as for Windows users...
Rihards Olups
in reply to Jessamyn • • •Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕
in reply to Rihards Olups • •Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕
in reply to Jessamyn • — (0.0.0.0/ 0) •I want an AI girlfriend to gimme a hard on etc I want it all!
I want it to cook for me and it gives me cheapest nearest junk food to put in microwave for under 3$
Jessamyn
in reply to Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕ • • •Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕ likes this.
Plan-A̵̛͈̬̥̿͋̓͛̕
in reply to Jessamyn • — (0.0.0.0/ 0) •So it runs with no internet, no API no thing else then what I fed it as RAG usually manpages. This what you say is not for me indeed. Apart from the rag it falls back to it's native db from 2023.
The scraping of the man-pages and official docs happen with a friendly HTML request. to then orchestrate (with a script mostly Py) to make my LLM read it.
So In short I know a lot about it and I stick to my point that I hate corporate AI but love AI.
My UI is any browser with URL address 127.0.0.1/8080 or 0.0.0.0/8080
So every closed session or browser shut down means all is gone.
You'll click those 2 links just to get nothing because there is no server up there, and that is what the launch up command is once in the directory . I'll get the interface that forgets all once closed.
Jessamyn likes this.