How to Clear Recent Activity in Windows 11 Copilot

Windows 11 features a tool called Copilot that works with Windows 11 build 23493 to help you change settings and answer questions. You can open this sidebar by clicking its icon or pressing the Windows key + C on your keyboard. Copilot button will appear on the Taskbar.

Why Clear Copilot Recent Activity?

You might wonder Why you should clear this data. Clearing your history helps keep your information private, removes clutter, and lets you start fresh. What happens when done? Once you delete these items, your past chat prompts are removed from the Copilot sidebar on your computer. This ensures your AI assistant data management remains secure and compliant with your personal privacy standards.

Personal vs. Enterprise Accounts

It is important to know your account type. A Personal Microsoft Account (MSA) stores history in your account profile. A Work or School Account (Entra ID) is managed by your organization. If you use a work account, your company may have strict policies that prevent you from deleting history. This is often done to ensure GDPR compliance for AI and data retention requirements.

How to Clear Copilot Recent Activity

You do not need special permissions to clear your history for personal accounts. Follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Windows Copilot by clicking the icon or pressing the Windows key + C on your keyboard.
2. Look at the top right corner of the Copilot sidebar. Click the “Recent activity” button, which looks like a small clock.

3. 

4. You will see a list of your previous chats. Select the activity you want to remove.
5. Click the Delete button to remove that specific item from your history.

6. 

Managing GitHub Copilot Chat History

If you use GitHub Copilot Chat in VS Code or IntelliJ IDEA, your history is handled differently. You can clear your chat history directly within the extension sidebar. Right-click the chat session and select “Delete” or “Clear All.” Note that this does not delete your saved code snippets in your repository. It only removes the conversation history from the AI assistant interface.

Using the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard

For a complete cleanup, visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard. Sign in with your account. Navigate to the “Activity history” section. Here, you can manage your Copilot prompt history across all devices. This is the most effective way to ensure all data is wiped from Microsoft servers.

Troubleshooting Enterprise Restrictions

If you cannot find the delete button, your organization likely has an Enterprise Policy in place. You may see a message stating that your settings are managed by your administrator. In this case, you cannot clear the history manually. You must contact your IT department if you have concerns about data privacy or need to clear specific logs.

Summary

Managing your Copilot history is a great way to maintain your digital privacy. Whether you are using a personal account or a work account, understanding how to clear your data is essential. By using the sidebar tools or the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard, you can keep your information clean and secure. Always check your organization’s policies if you are using a work-issued computer.