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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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-14T20:34:24+00:00

    @Alpenit, Nicely said as usual. I have been thinking for a while now or should I say wishing, is for someone(s) to simply create a new operating system and/or MS suite that will mimic what we all currently use world wide accept that instead of all the "big brothers" with their hands in our pockets spying on us/stealing our info/data that this new OS simply does what it used to do before all the corruption back before I had wrinkles. We just want s@#t to work, not rip us off with greedy monthly subscriptions we now pay for that came with our computers as standard. No spyware under the guise that it's AI or anything else to continue the slavery we all are under. They already created a decentralized phone that my family all are getting for Christmas. If anyone is interested in learning about having a new phone that doesn't spy on you and your data stays with you, it's called "Clear". Can someone(s) create a new OS that clones what we have been using since forever but that we can trust. One that will allow my tin foil hat to finally come off? Well come off while trying to work anyways... There is billions in it for whomever can rival the all mighty Gates in this area. If I had the brain bandwidth I would be all in myself but I'm just trying to remember where I put my keys right now so, yea... I will leave it up to them youngsters who aren't as jaded and still have hope... . I'm just wishful thinking I'm sure.. But anyways, onto another setting issue with this brand new computer I bought.... Much Aloha fellow MS chatters

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-14T18:19:00+00:00

    Agreed that finding the "easiest" way to block AI.EXE is important as a lot of users don't know how to setup scheduled tasks or group policy, run powershell, its a little too techy for them. However I don't know that all AV products have provision for adding the blockage of specified files. Still... its a good place to start. My scheduled deletion - includes the killing of the process prior to removal... and even if updates reinstall AI.EXE - its removed within 60 minutes... 24/7.

    People ask "why" is MS not listening. I think AI.EXE might be something that they have bigger plans for - some new features or some new "wonderful" application where this AI.EXE then will be utilized or may need to be running for their new "wonderful" waste of time to work properly... I have not researched AI.EXE and the "what" and "why" of it... the immediate need is to stop it.

    So we can add this undesired, buggy, unknown, unexplained or undefined piece of **** idea from MS to the "list"... OneDrive... another "wonder", just kidnaps all your files and profile folders and puts them up on the web... "Bing" takes over search.... (happened apx same time AI showed up)... You may have had some fun with Edge.... where no matter what browser is default... Edge might open all https links and URLs by default... And I don't even want to know what Copilot is all about.... Everything has to have some little f'n pop-up window when moving your mouse to perform an action.... you can turn that off... supposedly.... and I did...I have found I still get the little useless pop-ups that tell me what it is I am clicking on etc... I am sick of the "got It" info pop-ups... I love the way taking properties on a large drive or folder... means Windows is so slow counting the files and folders and size... like its counting on fingers and toes... takes forever to get totals.... so you have to go to a 3rd party utility... to get what used to work in Windows - to efficiently report totals.

    The POINT is... AI.EXE stands apart from all the other BS they have stuck into Windows... as it implies an intelligence... WE DO NOT WANT ANYTHING REMOTELY INTELLIGENT, other than our own brains... having control. And the manner in which it was snuck into Windows... without notice, without choice or consent and hidden so it cannot be found or removed through traditional method.... Makes it appear underhanded with a more insidious intent. So YES - we may see where they finally announce it or finally reply back telling us at some point YOU MUST RUN AI.EXE...to be able to DO THIS OR THATS... or to keep Windows STABLE....blah...blah...blah... Maybe...for the health of the planet.... ALL FOR YOUR OWN GOOD....YOU VILL EAT ZE BUGS.... WHO KNOWS??? All we can do right now is kill it.. and block it. I know they hear us... this isn't the only conversation out there....

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-14T13:43:12+00:00

    With so many of us companing about AI why Microsoft is not listening?

    RP

    Well, basically, this is a community forum. As with most companies that like to avoid issues raised by complainants, they create a site just like this one so they can keep an eye on things. To actually get anything done, though, requires many people to raise issue directly with the company, usually via an involved process.

    You can write reviews from within Office via their 'Feedback' portal (Help > Feedback), but I wouldn't rely on getting anything done about it.

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