BERLIN: Microsoft's chatbot Copilot is appearing in more and more places in Windows 11, and that's just the start of it. From the Edge browser to the Photos app and the Paint graphics software, the number of AI features embedded in the operating system is growing constantly.
Anyone who wants to use the AI tools is of course free to do so. But those who see them as a nuisance that bloats the system, a privacy risk or an ethical and environmental threat can easily banish them from Windows 11.
One recommended tool for this is the open-source program FlyOOBE, which can be downloaded free of charge from the developer platform GitHub. On the project page, scroll down until you reach a short table listing download options on the far right.
Click the "Download FlyOOBE" link in the top row of the table on the far right, which will download a ZIP file. Right-click on that file, select "Extract All" from the context menu and then click "Extract" in the bottom right of the window that opens. Then open the newly created "Flyoobe" folder, right-click on "FlyOOBE.exe" and select "Run as administrator."
A checklist of all AI components and their status
Once the newly installed program is open, scroll down to the "AI Experiences" card, click on it and then click "Check" in the bottom right of the next window. A list of all AI components in the Windows installation will then be displayed – including their status, showing whether they are enabled or disabled.
Tick the checkbox next to any active AI components you want to remove. Do the same for any unwanted components listed as "Not Set." Finally, confirm your selection by clicking the "Turn off selected" button in the bottom right. In the "Remove Windows AI" window that then opens, click the green "Apply" button.
What to do if the tool freezes
If the tool freezes – for example because Windows denies access – close the "Windows PowerShell" window visible in the background by clicking the X in the top right. You can then click "Check" again in the main "FlyOOBE" window to verify which AI components have now been permanently disabled. If necessary, you can carry out a further round of deactivation to catch any that remain.
The tool offers many other options for removing bloatware and other unwanted apps. If you are unsure what you want to remove, however, then you should stick to the AI-focused procedure described above.
The tool is free, but the developer "Builtbybel" welcomes donations. One opportunity to donate is offered when closing the program or on the GitHub developer page.– dpa
