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
    2023-06-02T14:24:37+00:00

    IT REINSTALLS AFTER ONE DELETES IT

    jEFF k

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-02T02:48:19+00:00

    So adding the settings in local GPO work fine, I just do not see a quick way to backup or export just those new entries so I can quickly insert into other machine's policy. I looked at this "LGPO" and created a backup - but thats the whole policy and I don't want to overwrite an entire policy - just the security settings. There is an export/import option on "Security Settings" - to an .inf.... but import - it doesn't show anywhere... So I resign to manual add to all local. Will do some work with AD policy soon. Still I like it. It works.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-01T07:50:34+00:00

    I might go for the double whammy.... I don't want the files on the system... dormant or not. So policy and scheduled task. I should be able to install the task vis GP as well....

    We Baaad... Oh Yeah...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-01T02:31:35+00:00

    This approach I believe is cleaner and should hold unless they make changes that would circumvent it. I like it. For local policy... if I remember correctly as I haven't worked with having to deal with a "number" of local policies for some time, until now perhaps... a .pol file can be created to import the policy locally. Versus editing every machine's policy. That should be an easy answer to affirm.

    I'll let you know how my results go within a day or so. Good work!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments