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Guide · Open source

How to use RemoveWindowsAI: run it, pick options and revert

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

RemoveWindowsAI is an open-source PowerShell script for Windows 11 that turns off or removes Microsoft's AI features, including Copilot and Recall, plus several less documented AI components. This guide is for people comfortable running administrator scripts who want a cleaner system with fewer AI features in the background. After reading it you will know the prerequisites, how to launch the interactive UI or a non-interactive run, which options exist, and how backup and revert modes work.

Remove Windows AIzoicware/RemoveWindowsAI · ★ 13.6k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm your system. Make sure you are on Windows 11 and can open Windows PowerShell 5.1 as Administrator. Do not use PowerShell 7.
  2. 2Test in a virtual machine. The README recommends trying the script in a virtual machine first, especially if you are unsure about it.
  3. 3Create a backup. Run with -backupMode so a restore point is created and changes can be reverted.
  4. 4Launch the UI or pick options. Run the interactive command to choose components, or use -nonInteractive with -AllOptions or -Options.
  5. 5Handle antivirus alerts. If your antivirus flags the script, temporarily disable it or add an exclusion, as the README describes.
  6. 6Check the result and manual steps. Review the changes and complete any manual AI disabling the script cannot do, using the project's OtherAIFeatures.md guide.

Check the prerequisites before you run it

The script targets Windows 11. The README says it is focused on Windows 11 builds, so it is not intended for other Windows versions.

You need Windows PowerShell 5.1 and administrator rights. PowerShell 7 is not supported: the README warns that running the script with it is no longer supported and will cause issues.

  • Windows 11
  • Windows PowerShell (5.1), not PowerShell 7
  • Administrator rights

Launch the script with the interactive UI

Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator and run the command below. The script is fetched from the project's GitHub raw file and runs with an interactive UI so you can choose which components to disable.

The README also lists a compact command using a shortened link (kutt.to/RWAI) that points to the same script.

& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI/main/RemoveWindowsAi.ps1")))

Run non-interactively with command-line options

For scripted or repeatable runs, use -nonInteractive. The -AllOptions switch applies every option. To run only some, pass -Options with a comma-separated list. To run everything except certain options, use -ExcludeOptions together with -Options.

The README's example for selected options is shown below. Review the list of option names in the next section before choosing.

  • Everything: add -AllOptions
  • Selected: -Options DisableRegKeys,RemoveAppxPackages,DisableCopilotPolicies
  • Excluding: -ExcludeOptions -Options followed by the names you want to skip
& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI/main/RemoveWindowsAi.ps1"))) -nonInteractive -Options DisableRegKeys,RemoveAppxPackages,DisableCopilotPolicies

Know the available option names

Each option maps to one of the script's features. The main features include disabling registry keys for Copilot, Recall and other AI settings, removing AI appx packages, removing the Recall optional feature, and disabling the NPU device on relevant hardware.

The script can also replace classic apps. The README lists photoviewer, mspaint, snippingtool and notepad as accepted names for the -InstallClassicApps option, plus photoslegacy.

  • DisableRegKeys
  • PreventAIPackageReinstall
  • DisableCopilotPolicies
  • RemoveAppxPackages
  • RemoveRecallFeature
  • RemoveCBSPackages
  • RemoveAIFiles
  • HideAIComponents
  • DisableRewrite
  • RemoveWindowsAITasks
  • UpdateCleanupCheck
  • DisableDefenderAI
  • DisableNPUDevice

Use backup mode and revert changes

The README says Backup Mode needs to be enabled to be able to fully revert, and that it creates a restore point for you. Run it with -backupMode alongside your chosen options.

To revert, the README gives a separate command using -revertMode. Note that some changes need manual steps the script cannot perform, so do not assume every change is reversible automatically.

  • Backup first: add -backupMode, which creates a restore point
  • Revert: use -revertMode -AllOptions as shown in the README
& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zoicware/RemoveWindowsAI/main/RemoveWindowsAi.ps1"))) -nonInteractive -backupMode -AllOptions

Test first and handle antivirus warnings

The README warns that some third-party antivirus programs may falsely flag the script as malicious. The author states this is a false positive, but you may need to pause the antivirus or add the script as an exclusion.

Because the script makes advanced system changes, the README recommends testing it in a virtual machine first. For AI features the script does not cover, the project links to a separate guide, OtherAIFeatures.md, and to Documentation.md for script details.

  • Test in a virtual machine before your main PC
  • Read Documentation.md in the repository before running
  • Submit missed AI features as issues on GitHub

What people use it for

  • Removing Copilot and Recall from a Windows 11 PC used for everyday work
  • Running the same selected options on several machines with -nonInteractive
  • Trying the script in a virtual machine to see what changes before applying it to a main system
  • Restoring classic Notepad, Paint, Snipping Tool or Photo Viewer with -InstallClassicApps

Frequently asked questions

Is RemoveWindowsAI free and open source?

Yes, the project is released under the MIT licence and its source is on GitHub. The MIT licence permits use, modification and redistribution under its terms.

Does RemoveWindowsAI work on Windows 10?

The README says the script is focused on Windows 11 builds and lists Windows 11 as a prerequisite. Other Windows versions are not covered by the project's documentation.

Can I run RemoveWindowsAI with PowerShell 7?

No. The README states PowerShell 7 is not supported and will cause issues, so use Windows PowerShell 5.1 instead.

How do I undo RemoveWindowsAI changes?

Run the script with -revertMode -AllOptions. The README notes that Backup Mode must be enabled to fully revert and that it creates a restore point, so use -backupMode before making changes.

Why does my antivirus flag RemoveWindowsAI?

The README says some third-party antivirus tools falsely detect the script as malicious because it makes advanced system changes. You may need to disable the antivirus temporarily or add the script as an exclusion.

Are there alternatives to RemoveWindowsAI?

The source material does not name any comparable projects, so this guide cannot compare it with alternatives. Review any tool's documentation and test it in a virtual machine before using it.

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Our verdict

RemoveWindowsAI suits Windows 11 users who want Copilot and Recall removed, are comfortable running administrator PowerShell scripts, and want to choose which components to disable. It is a poor fit if you want to keep AI features, use Windows versions other than 11, or cannot accept system changes that may need manual reverting.

Install options & downloads