Microsoft is pushing for Copilot to launch automatically when you log in to Windows 11, a move that hasn’t been universally welcomed. Recent updates to Copilot for Windows Insiders suggest this auto-start feature is becoming a standard part of the experience. Fortunately, there are several ways to manage this behavior and prevent Copilot from launching automatically.
Method 1: Via Windows 11 System Settings
This is arguably the most direct method, giving you system-wide control over startup applications.
Step 1: Open the Settings app in Windows 11.
Step 2: Navigate to Apps > Startup.
Step 3: Locate Copilot in the list of startup apps.
Step 4: Toggle the switch to the Off position to disable auto-start.
Method 2: Through Copilot App Settings
This method allows you to control the auto-start behavior directly from within the Copilot application.
Step 1: Launch the Copilot application.
Step 2: Click on the More options menu (usually represented by three dots or a similar icon).
Step 3: Select Settings.
Step 4: Look for the Auto-start on login option and toggle it to Off.
Method 3: Disabling via Prompt
This method relies on a prompt that may appear when you first open Copilot after an update.
Step 1: Launch the Copilot application.
Step 2: Look for a prompt asking if you want Copilot to launch automatically on login.
Step 3: Select the option to Disable or Don't auto-start.
Microsoft has been actively integrating AI features into various aspects of Windows 11, but users have multiple options to manage Copilot’s auto-start behavior according to their preferences.