How do I disable the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Host [etc]" feature?

Anonymous
2023-02-09T16:34:50+00:00

We have started getting complaints from our customers over this "feature" as it appears to be quite the resource hog, and of course they are blaming our add-ins.

Killing the ai.exe process appears to have no ill effect on the usability of Office programs such as Word, Outlook or Excel.

So I need to know how we can disable it. I'd prefer to give an instruction to our users on how they can switch off a feature they do not want, they feel they do not need, and that causes their old PCs to start sounding like a Harrier Jet taking off.

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Other

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Anonymous
2024-02-07T21:10:13+00:00

This seems to work. There are all sorts of solutions put out there that involve things like editing the Registry. Here's a much easier fix that seems to have worked for me (and this is from The Geek Page https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-disable-the-artificial-intelligence-ai-host-feature/).

First, the obvious: delete the AI executables from the OFFICE folder:
ai.exe

ai.exe
aitrx.dll

Second - this is incredibly easy. Deleting the executables does not completely work because Office automatically updates itself with new copies of those files.

Since the AI Host runs when you use an Office app:
Disable the Office app updates.

To do this, open any Office application, like Word.

– Click the “File” menu and then the “Account” menu item - this may be under the "More..." menu item, in which case click "More..." and then click "Account"

– There, click on “Update Options”, which brings up a popup menu - on the popup menu, set that to “Disable Updates” to disable Office updates for all Office apps

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-02-07T20:43:08+00:00

    I believe I have the solution, though I know you've heard that before.

    Removing execution permission on the ai executable files seems to do the trick. Which is to say, you need to add "Deny" for "Traverse/Execute" to the "Everyone" principal for ai.exe and aimgr.exe.

    This is kind of dangerous if you do it wrong, since blocking certain kinds of access to a file might make it impossible to do anything to the file forever including deleting it or changing permissions. So, you know, at your own risk, etc.

    I can't upload my screenshot but if you know how to modify advanced file permissions, you can probably figure this out.

    May this serve you well. I will not be monitoring this thread.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-18T21:53:06+00:00

    Thank you for taking your time

    I hope you have happy new year

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-18T14:02:32+00:00

    yes that's what i'm having issues with but after following the instructions to delete AI it won't delete

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-18T13:21:28+00:00

    This only applies to microsoft word not the browser.

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