How to disable the Meet Now feature on Windows 10
If the Windows 10 Meet Now feature isn’t for you, we’ll show you three ways to disable the integration in this guide.
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Since the May 2020 Update, Windows 10 includes a new feature called “Meet Now” that is part of the Skype platform. The feature appears as a camera button in the notification area of the taskbar, which you can use toquickly set up a video chatwith family and friends using the web version of Skype without sign-ups or additional downloads.
Although the feature makes it easier to create and join a conversation with other people, it is not something that everyone wants. If the feature is not for you,Windows 10includes at least three different ways to disable the Meet Now integration using the Settings app, Group Policy Editor, and Registry.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the different methods you can use to disable the Skype Meet Now integration.
How to disable Meet Now with Settings
To remove Meet Now from the taskbar with Settings, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the button to create a video chat or join a session will disappear from the taskbar. Alternatively, you can also right-click the button in the taskbar and select theHideoption.
If you want to enable the option, you can use the same instructions outlined above, but onstep No. 5, make sure to turn on theMeet Nowtoggle switch.
How to disable Meet Now with Group Policy
On Windows 10 Pro (Enterprise or Education), you can also disable the Skype Meet Now button using the Group Policy Editor.
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To disable Meet Now on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the button to create and join a video chat will no longer be available in the taskbar’s notification area.
In the case that you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but onstep No. 5, make sure to select theNot configuredoption.
How to disable Meet Now with Registry
If you use the Home edition of Windows 10, you can still disable the taskbar video chat integration by editing the Registry.
Warning:This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you do not complete the task correctly. It is recommended to make a full backup of the device before proceeding.
To get rid of the Meet Now integration modifying the Registry, use these steps:
1.OpenStart. 2. Search forregeditand click the top result to open theRegistry Editor. 3. Browse the following path:
Quick tip:On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry’s address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.
Once you complete the steps, similar to using the Group Policy Editor, the Meet Now integration will be disabled on your Windows 10 installation.
You can always undo the changes with the same instructions, but onstep No. 4, right-click and delete theExplorerkey. However, if the “Explorer” key contains other settings, it is recommended to either open theHideSCAMeetNowDWORD and change the value from1to0or right-click and delete the DWORD, instead of deleting the “Explorer” key.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
