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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer recommended by moderator
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

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

240 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. 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....

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-20T09:18:07+00:00

    Was a time when they tried to only release products after what I would have to believe was perhaps fairly intensive testing... and the few bugs were dealt with pretty quickly....

    You'll have to remind me - when was this?! LOL!

    Let me take you back to the heady days of the Windows 98 release...

    {{Wavy lined memory}}

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeUyxjLhAxU&pp=ygUhd2luZG93cyA5NSByZWVsZWFzZSBvbiBzdGFnZSBic29k

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T18:39:07+00:00

    https://m-cacm.acm.org/news/275196-giving-users-more-than-they-can-handle/fulltext - If you haven't read this yet, know that someone understands your plight.

    Yeah well... I like where he gives an example that a person can just go to another workstation if having trouble on theirs... sure...

    But the last paragraph.... just tells us what we already know. Microsoft uses the public as its test bed. Was a time when they tried to only release products after what I would have to believe was perhaps fairly intensive testing... and the few bugs were dealt with pretty quickly.... Now apparently - the developers just throw it out there.... "we'll fix it over the nest 5 years"...

    We do not need AI on our computers.... While we still have computers we sit at everyday... that are not totally reliant on the "cloud" - we do not WANT AI on our computers.... the idea - the name alone "AI" suggests another entity out of our control where we have no idea of its purpose or what it really is doing.

    Until the day comes when we NEED AI... to use our devices.... we should have the choice.

    Sneaking it on todays OS's like they did was covert, underhanded and I consider a violation or privacy....

    These are our computers.... we do not worship Microsoft - nor do we willingly surrender to the monopoly that it is and its impositions it obviously feels it cam make upon us.

    So having found a few ways to stop it, and remove it each time it installs... along with a couple other people here - we'll continue to do so. That goes for your Copilot and Bing... and whatever **** you keep putting on a perfectly good computer - disrupting our ability to get our work down without have to struggle and keep closing your pop-ups and other **** that is nothing more than NUISANCE!!!! PULL YOUR **** OFF THE COMPUTERS MICROSOFT!!!

    Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-15T22:30:27+00:00

    AI is total BS. . I never asked for it. They just put it on my laptop and I CAN'T DELETE IT !!!. Time for a class action suit ???

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments