Remove AI Actions from Windows 11 File Explorer: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Evolution of Context Menus in Windows 11

With the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a revamped dual context menu designed to alleviate a longstanding issue known as context menu bloat. This modern interface aimed to streamline the user experience and enhance overall accessibility.

The Emergence of AI Features

Despite Microsoft’s intentions, the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) integration within their ecosystem has added a new dimension to the context menu. In versions 24H2 and beyond, Windows 11 users encounter an additional section known as “AI actions”when right-clicking on files. This feature presents a variety of AI-driven tasks that can simplify file handling, ranging from executing visual searches with Bing to removing backgrounds in Paint and erasing objects in Photos.

AI actions in File Explorer — The AI actions menu in File Explorer.(Image source: Microsoft)

User Concerns and Options

While the AI actions feature may be beneficial for some, others may find it unnecessary or prefer not to utilize it. Until recently, Windows 11 lacked a built-in option to disable these AI features from the context menu. However, recent updates have introduced this capability.

How to Disable AI Actions

In the latest build 26220.7344, Microsoft announced that AI actions will not appear if there are no relevant file types associated with them. Users can also manually disable these actions through the Settings app. Here’s how:

Open the Settings application, either through the Start menu or by pressing Windows-I.
Navigate to Apps.
Select the Actions menu on the page.
Toggle all apps listed to Off.

By following these steps, users can effectively hide the AI actions menu, while still allowing actions for supported file types if preferred.

Looking Ahead

This feature to disable AI actions is expected to roll out in stable builds of Windows 11. Currently, Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for this implementation. If the rollout progresses slowly, it may not be widely available until late 2026, coinciding with the next significant feature update for Windows 11.