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
    2023-09-12T18:11:46+00:00

    @alpenit BANG ON THE MARK!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-06T05:40:25+00:00

    I have dozens of customer who would run away from Microsoft if a viable alternative were available. 99% of them want big mailboxes with contacts and calendars, edit Word docs and Excel sheets, add some decent cloud storage (OneDrive doesn't come close to being that). Almost everything else in Office 365 is just frosting with no real users.

    All the users want are reliable core services, not constant useless change.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-06T00:35:45+00:00

    Yes, it is only proper to have the right to turn off any or all of the features on our computer. I am sick of being a captive to AI, or Microsoft Edge, or any other system I want to use or not use.

    I pay for this right when I as a customer deal with a software company. This will have to consider other options to be online without being manipulated by outreaching sources who want to control society as a whole. Misuse of the laws is the biggest issue.

    There will come a revolt sooner or later.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-24T17:17:31+00:00

    I'll see I can paste the pic of the path in Group Policy you want to take. You start with "Computer Configuration". This works on stand alone machines as well as AD Domain servers.

    Image

    This shows (2) path rules.... you want all (4) - the (4) will make sure you cover both 32bit and 64bit versions of Office installs. Here they are:

    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\ai.exe

    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\ai.exe

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\ai.exe

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\ai.exe

    When you create the rules.... make sure to check the 'Disallow' button for each. You may need to right click on "Software Restriction Policeis/Additional Rules to get the Add Path Rules choice.

    This does not block Bing being forced as your search option.... as it says "Bing" also at the top - thats another process.

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