How to Enable or Disable Text and Image Generation for Apps in Windows 11

There's a 99% chance that you haven't seen it, but Microsoft recently introduced a new feature to Windows 11 that allows apps to use on-device generative AI models for text and image generation. This enables faster responses without relying on cloud-based AI. With this feature, you can decide whether to grant apps access to generative AI, and you can control permissions globally or on a per-app basis. But if you don't trust this new feature, you can disable it, which is what this guide is going to show you.

What is the Text and Image Generation Feature on Windows 11?

Text and image generation in Windows 11 is a built-in capability that allows apps to use on-device generative AI models. Unlike cloud-based AI services, this feature runs locally on your computer, which means responses are faster and can work without sending data to external servers.

The main purpose of the feature is to give apps access to Windows’ native AI models for tasks such as generating text, creating or modifying images, and assisting with content inside applications. Windows also provides controls so you can decide whether all apps, some apps, or no apps are allowed to use this capability.

At this stage, I don't even know what apps are using this functionality, but I'm sure there are plans to make use of it. More than likely, Windows Recall and Copilot have some interconnectivity.

Note: Turning the feature off does not disable apps that rely on cloud AI services. It only controls access to the on-device models that Windows provides.

How to Enable or Disable Text and Image Generation for Apps in Windows 11

The simplest way is by adjusting settings directly:

• Open the Settings app with Win + I
• Select Privacy & security
• Scroll to Text and image generation
• Turn on the main switch for Text and image generation
• Toggle Let apps use text and image generation

Once enabled, you can individually manage which apps are allowed to use this capability.

Using the Group Policy Editor (Won't Work on Windows Home Edition)

Group Policy gives administrators more control. If disabled here, the option will be locked and greyed out in Settings.

• Open Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the search box and pressing Enter
• Go to:

• Locate Let Windows apps make use of Text and image generation features of Windows, and double-click it
• Select Enabled to configure the policy
• Under Default for all apps, choose Force Deny to block all apps. You may also configure permissions for specific apps using their Package Family Names
• Click Apply, then OK

To re-enable the feature, set the option to Disabled or Not Configured.

Using the Registry Editor (Advanced Users Only)

Before editing the Registry, create a System Restore Point to avoid potential system issues.

• Press Win + S, type regedit, and open the Registry Editor
• Go to:

• In the right panel, look for a String Value named Value. If it does not exist, create one by right-clicking, selecting New > String Value, and naming it Value
• Double-click the Value entry and set the Value data field to Deny to disable the feature
• Click OK

This will prevent apps from accessing text and image generation, although the feature itself remains available.

To re-enable, repeat the steps and replace Deny with Allow.

For system-wide control, navigate to the same Registry path (below) and apply the same Allow or Deny values.