According to XDA-Developers, a developer known as zoicware has published a new script on GitHub called “RemoveWindowsAI” that claims to strip all AI features from Windows 11. The script, shared in November 2025, specifically targets components like Copilot policies, the Recall optional feature, AI files, and even hidden AI pieces. Its stated goal is to improve user experience, privacy, and security by eradicating Microsoft’s AI push. The developer claims the script prevents Windows Update from reinstalling these features by tricking the OS into thinking a newer version is already present. However, they also admit that certain AI features on newer Copilot+ PCs may not be fully removable and that the workaround for them hasn’t been tested on that hardware.
The Desperate Pushback
Look, this script is a symptom of a real and growing frustration. Microsoft is barreling ahead with its vision of an “agentic” AI-powered OS, and a vocal segment of users just wants no part of it. The fact that scripts like this are popping up—and that this one claims to be the “most effective”—shows how people are taking matters into their own hands. It’s a digital form of protest. But here’s the thing: it’s also a game of whack-a-mole. Microsoft’s strategy is clear, and future updates will undoubtedly bring more AI, not less. So you have to ask yourself, is running a third-party script to surgically alter your OS a sustainable long-term plan? Probably not.
How It Works and the Trade-offs
Basically, the script works by attacking the AI from multiple angles. It doesn’t just toggle settings off; it tries to delete Appx packages, remove files, disable registry keys, and hide components. The clever bit is the block on reinstalls. By making Windows think a newer version of an AI package is already there, it theoretically stops Windows Update from pushing it back. That’s a neat trick. But let’s be skeptical for a second. This is deep system tinkering. The risk of breaking something—a future update, a security feature, or just system stability—is real. And the developer’s own caveat about Copilot+ PCs is a huge red flag. If the newest, most AI-integrated hardware might not be fully supported, then this is, at best, a partial solution for current systems.
The Bigger Picture
So what does this all mean? It highlights a fundamental tension in modern computing. Companies like Microsoft see AI as the unavoidable future and are baking it into the foundation of their products. For users who prioritize control, privacy, or just simple performance, that feels like an imposition. Tools like this script are a rebellion against that imposed future. But they’re also a stopgap. The real question is whether Microsoft will ever offer a truly “AI-off” switch for Windows—a clean, official, and supported version for those who want it. Given their current trajectory, I wouldn’t hold my breath. In the meantime, for those working in controlled environments like industrial settings where predictable performance is non-negotiable, this kind of system instability is a non-starter. For reliable computing in demanding applications, many turn to dedicated hardware from the top suppliers, like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, known for stable, purpose-built systems.
