Turn off Widgets, News and Interests and Copilot in Windows 11: the registry values
Short answer
UpdatedWidgets, News and Interests and the Copilot button are taskbar features that keep their own processes running and fetch content in the background. This tweak hides the taskbar entries and sets the policies that keep them from starting. In the registry it sets TaskbarDa to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and 3 more values.
HKCUSoftware\
TaskbarDaNot set0
What it does
Widgets, News and Interests and the Copilot button are taskbar features that keep their own processes running and fetch content in the background. This tweak hides the taskbar entries and sets the policies that keep them from starting.
In the app the switch is called "Disable Widgets/News/Copilot", described there as: Removes taskbar widgets, News, Copilot and consumer promos to free RAM/CPU.
When it helps, and when it hurts
When it helps
- Freeing the memory the Widgets processes hold and stopping their content downloads.
When it hurts
- The weather and news panel and the Copilot button are gone until you switch the tweak off.
What it writes
Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.
| Key and value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\ | 0 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
| HKLMSOFTWARE\ | 0 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
| HKLMSOFTWARE\ | 1 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
| HKLMSOFTWARE\ | 1 | Not setThe value is deleted. Windows decides. |
From the app's source (tweaks_taskbar_widgets.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked .
The same change by hand
You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "TaskbarDa" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh" /v "AllowNewsAndInterests" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" /v "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v "DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /freg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "TaskbarDa" /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh" /v "AllowNewsAndInterests" /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot" /v "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v "DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures" /freg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "TaskbarDa"How to undo it
In the app: Yes
Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It deletes TaskbarDa, AllowNewsAndInterests, TurnOffWindowsCopilot and the others marked in the table, so Windows uses its built-in behavior again.
Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.
Verdict
Safe tidying. It frees some memory and removes a source of background activity; it is not a frame rate tweak.
Questions
- What does the "Disable Widgets/News/Copilot" tweak change in Windows?
- In the registry it sets TaskbarDa to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and 3 more values. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.
- Is "Disable Widgets/News/Copilot" safe to switch on?
- Safe tidying. It frees some memory and removes a source of background activity; it is not a frame rate tweak. The main cost: The weather and news panel and the Copilot button are gone until you switch the tweak off.
- How do I undo it?
- Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
- Is "Disable Widgets/News/Copilot" free in Frozen Tweaks?
- Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.
In the app
- Switch
- Disable Widgets/News/Copilot
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
Related guides
- Windows 11 Gaming Optimization: What Still Works in 2026An honest audit of Windows 11 gaming tweaks: which settings still measurably help in 2026, which are placebo, and which quietly cost you security.8 min read
- Low-End PC Gaming Optimization: Getting Playable Frame RatesWhat actually works on a weak PC, in order, including the one upgrade that beats every software tweak combined, and honest limits on what tuning can do.7 min read
More tweak explainers
- OneDrive sync (policy)DisableFileSyncNGSC is the Windows policy that stops the OneDrive client from syncing and removes it from File Explorer. What it changes and how to undo it.2 min read
- Tips and suggested contentContentDeliveryManager is the part of Windows that shows tips, suggests apps in Start and can install promoted apps without asking.2 min read
- Windows Error ReportingWindows Error Reporting collects a crash dump when a program fails and can send it to Microsoft. What it changes, when it hurts, and how to undo it.2 min read
Written by
Frost LIVEFounder of Frozen Tweaks, based in Hamburg, Germany. Publishes settings guides for competitive games on his YouTube channel, Frost LIVE.
In the app
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
Frozen Tweaks
Free for Windows 10 and 11
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.
The free Windows app for competitive games.
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Frozen Tweaks runs on Windows. Send the link to your PC and download it there.
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.