Stopping Backdoor CoPilot Re-Installs?

Copilot has once again re-installed itself on my system. I've removed it multiple times. I don't knowingly use any of it's features and I've shut off anything AI/Search related including indexing. I didn't download any Apps that might use it. I don't use widgets and I'm not looking for MS to find me any content to feed. I don't use Edge. I don't use OneDrive. I use a local account.

However, I do use the taskbar search and that will pop Edge up for results. I've shut off most of Edge's optional features beyond basic "fetch a page". I'm thinking I need MSEdgeRedirect installed to stop Edge from popping up but I don't know if it relates to the Copilot problem or not. I'm trying to go one step at a time.

If I go into Event Viewer > Applications and Services > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Update Client > Operational, I see that there are multiple checks during the day that MS runs on its own. There are multiple cases of "Windows Update successfully found nn updates" each day and multiple successful downloads and I assume installs; The actual Install operations are not listed in that log even for downloads of Defender updates that I know for sure resulted in an install. As expected, Defender and Feature updates do show up in the normal Update History. But clearly MS is doing updates behind the scenes that are not logged in the Update History (maybe somewhere else?).

Questions:
- Does anyone has any specific tips on kicking CoPilot into the corner and getting it to stay there?
- Anyone know where MS might actually log these mystery installs I see in the logs?

glasskuter said:

Add or Remove Copilot and "Find results in Web" in Windows Search in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the "Ask Copilot" and "Find results in Web" (Web) icons on Windows Search toolbar for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Search lets you search from your taskbar to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s on your device, in the...

www.elevenforum.com

Uninstall or Reinstall Copilot app in Windows 11 and Windows 10

This tutorial will show you different ways to uninstall or reinstall the Copilot app for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Experience Microsoft Copilot on Windows devices using the Copilot app! Copilot helps you get answers and inspiration from across the web, supports...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

Thanks. I've definitely done the second part of that multiple times. I believe I already did the first part too, but since I couldn't find a link to the page in my list of mods done, I did that one again.

We'll see what happens!

Already a long time ago (for Windows 10) I disabled automatically installing suggested apps by this registry mod:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager]
"SilentInstalledAppsEnabled"=dword:00000000

Since then it never happened that any app was installed without my specific wish to do an install.

In the attached zip are two registry files, one to disable and one to undo that again.
They are for the current user.

In the following thread another registry mod was used extra. That is for all users and it changes the setting for "Prevent Windows from downloading recommended apps in the background":
That mod I did not use (until now).

along with the above 'disable auto installing' i have used this by 'Brink'

it seems to have worked so far.
best of luck, Steve ..

Kees said:

Already a long time ago (for Windows 10) I disabled automatically installing suggested apps by this registry mod:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager]
"SilentInstalledAppsEnabled"=dword:00000000

Since then it never happened that any app was installed without my specific wish to do an install.

In the attached zip are two registry files, one to disable and one to undo that again.
They are for the current user.

In the following thread another registry mod was used extra. That is for all users and it changes the setting for "Prevent Windows from downloading recommended apps in the background":

Windows Store suggested apps automatic installation

So I have these 2 tweaks and I just realized that they serve the same purpose so I opened them in Notepad to see the contents and am not sure which one do I need or shall I just merge them both? This is for Windows 11. Disable automatically installing suggested apps Windows Registry Editor...

www.elevenforum.com

That mod I did not use (until now).

Click to expand...

Thanks!

I did the first one. We'll see if that helps. I'll monitor the Windows Updates Events to see if the "Downloads" seems to change (not that I'd be surprised if there were others that MS does outside the scope of "Silent Apps").

I googled around on the second one that is detailed in the other thread you linked to. That appears to be tied to Diagnostic Data that is sent to MS after you OK it: See this page, refer to section 18.16" and "To turn off tailored experiences with relevant tips and recommendations by using your diagnostics data...". Manage connections from Windows 10 and Windows 11 Server/Enterprise editions operating system components to Microsoft services - Windows Privacy

XxXxX said:

along with the above 'disable auto installing' i have used this by 'Brink'

Completely Disable and Remove Copilot in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to completely disable the Windows Copilot preview feature and remove Copilot from the taskbar, Windows Search, and Microsoft Edge for all users in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Copilot in Windows provides centralized generative AI assistance to your users right from...

www.elevenforum.com

it seems to have worked so far.
best of luck, Steve ..

Click to expand...

Thanks, already did that one weeks ago but it's still coming back. We'll see if @Kees mod (above) helps out.