DoNotSpy11, a free anti-tracking device that goals to keep your privacy levels tighter in Windows 11 (and 10), simply obtained an replace that permits it to cope with Copilot – as did O&O ShutUp10 (we’ll come again to that later).
Tom’s Hardware noticed that the brand new model of DoNotSpy11 (v1.2.0.0) comes with assist for Windows 11 23H2, the freshly unleashed annual replace for this 12 months.
The 23H2 update comes with Copilot, as it’s possible you’ll bear in mind, and drops the AI into your taskbar as a default icon. Should you don’t need that, DoNotSpy11 now means that you can disable that button – though you may already do that in Home windows 11 anyway.
Nevertheless, past that, DoNotSpy11 has an choice to thoroughly ‘Disable Copilot’ which is a brand new introduction within the app’s raft of measures for sustaining privateness.
There are much more privateness choices right here in addition to that, together with disabling numerous parts of Home windows 11 telemetry (information on utilization of the OS despatched again to Microsoft), eliminating lock display screen notifications, disabling widgets, and extra.
DoNotSpy11 additionally makes an enormous effort to deal with loads of Microsoft’s makes an attempt to sneak adverts into the UI of Home windows 11. That features disabling advertisements in File Explorer, ideas in Home windows Ink Workspace and the Settings app, in addition to Begin Menu app ideas, and extra in addition to.
One other comparable providing, O&O ShutUp10 (which helps Home windows 11 in addition to Windows 10), tackles Home windows privateness points and tweaks settings to evade Microsoft’s telemetry in the same vein.
That app was not too long ago up to date to additionally disable Copilot, and take away the taskbar button.
You possibly can try and obtain DoNotSpy11 here, or O&O ShutUp10 here, each of that are free.
Evaluation: Two long-standing choices
Each DoNotSpy11 and O&O ShutUp10 have been round for a while (certainly, the previous was once DoNotSpy10 earlier than Home windows 11 existed).
We should always observe that the unique model (the preliminary DoNotSpy10 for Home windows 10) allegedly carried an advert-pushing plugin (sarcastically, for one thing designed to maintain your privateness). This wasn’t malware, however we’re instructed it was recognized by some antivirus apps as a probably undesirable program (or PUP). No less than the free model of DoNotSpy10 had this anyway, when it first launched, however that’s not the case (the product description of DoNotSpy11 is clearly marked as ’ad-free’ fortunately).
One benefit of the choice O&O ShutUp10++ is that it doesn’t should be put in – it will probably simply be run instantly from the obtain folder, which is beneficial.
Nevertheless, in both case, you proceed at your individual danger, though that’s true for any piece of third-party software program for Home windows 11.
Being able to ditch Copilot is actually going to be a tempter for some people who don’t need the AI on their desktop. Whereas many customers are embracing Copilot, and are excited about its potential, there’ll all the time be extra cautious varieties who don’t need the AI on their desktop – significantly not now, in its preliminary levels, when Copilot’s powers to work together with Home windows 11 settings are nonetheless very restricted.
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