DoNotSpy11, a free anti-tracking device that goals to maintain your privateness ranges tighter in Home windows 11 (and 10), simply acquired an replace that permits it to deal with Copilot – identical to O&O ShutUp10 (we’ll get to that later) .
Tom’s {Hardware} found that the brand new model of DoNotSpy11 (v1.2.0.0) comes with help for Home windows 11 23H2, the newly launched annual replace for this 12 months.
The 23H2 replace comes with Copilot, as you might bear in mind, and drops the AI in your taskbar as a default icon. If you do not need it, DoNotSpy11 now lets you disable that button – though you may already do that in Home windows 11 anyway.
However past that, DoNotSpy11 has an choice to ‘Disable Copilot’ completely, which is a brand new introduction within the app’s array of privateness measures.
There are lots of extra privateness choices right here in addition to that, together with disabling varied parts of Home windows 11 telemetry (information about working system utilization despatched again to Microsoft), eliminating lock display screen notifications, disabling widgets, and extra.
DoNotSpy11 additionally goes to nice lengths to deal with plenty of Microsoft’s makes an attempt to sneak adverts into the Home windows 11 person interface. That features disabling adverts in File Explorer, ideas in Home windows Ink Workspace and the Settings app, and ideas for the Begin Menu app, and extra In addition to.
One other related providing, O&O ShutUp10 (which helps Home windows 11 in addition to Home windows 10), tackles Home windows privateness points and adjusts settings to keep away from Microsoft’s telemetry in the identical approach.
This app was not too long ago up to date to additionally disable Copilot and take away the taskbar button.
You may take a look at and obtain DoNotSpy11 right here, or O&O ShutUp10 right here, each of that are free.
Evaluation: Two long-term choices
Each DoNotSpy11 and O&O ShutUp10 have been round for a while (actually, the previous was DoNotSpy10 earlier than Home windows 11 existed).
We must always observe that the unique model (the unique DoNotSpy10 for Home windows 10) allegedly contained an advert push plugin (ironic for one thing designed to maintain your privateness). This wasn’t malware, however we’re advised it was recognized by some antivirus apps as a doubtlessly undesirable program (or PUP). At the very least the free model of DoNotSpy10 had this anyway when it first launched, however that is not the case (the product description of DoNotSpy11 is clearly marked as ‘ad-free’ fortunately).
A bonus of the O&O ShutUp10++ various is that it doesn’t have to be put in – it will possibly simply be run straight from the obtain folder, which is beneficial.
However in both case, you proceed at your individual danger, although that is true of any piece of third-party software program for Home windows 11.
Being able to ditch Copilot will definitely be a temptation for some individuals who don’t need AI on their desktop. Whereas many customers are embracing Copilot and enthusiastic about its potential, there’ll all the time be extra cautious varieties who don’t need AI on their desktop – particularly now, within the early phases, when Copilot’s powers to work together with Home windows 11 settings are nonetheless very restricted.