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
    2023-11-12T12:32:52+00:00

    TURN OFF MY AI . YOU PUT IT THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-11T18:44:09+00:00

    I can see why the people on strike argued against this **** called AI. You put it on my laptop and I cannot get it off. I am 70 years old. DELELTE IT FOR ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-02T10:43:36+00:00

    Excellent - thanks John.

    I've also found this method which isn't quite as good as yours, but does work. The primary problem with my version is that if you want to update Office then you have to reverse the following process (though I've included instructions). This version, though, does not require any programming knowledge but does require Admin access to the PC.

    1. Open Explorer and navigate to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\Office16
    2. Right click the ai.exe file and select Properties.
    3. Click the Security tab, then the Advanced button... Image
    4. Click the Change link to change the owner. Change ownership to your own account. Image
    5. Click the Disable inheritance button and copy all principals from the underlying folder. Remove all entries from the permissions list except for your own, then change your own access to Read. Note, that this is Read ONLY, not Read and Execute.

    This process should be repeated for the ai.dll and aimgr.exe files.

    To undo these changes, should you need to update Office, go back through each file, give yourself Full access, then Enable inheritance for the given files.

    NOTES:

    Since posting this response, I have discovered that the process for uninstalling Office becomes more involved. If there are failures, attempt to uninstall as best as possible, then delete what can't be removed. You may discover that there are some processes still running, particularly an XML formatter; reboot then attempt to delete again. That should allow you to reinstall.

    Also, the other files may not need to be execute protected - you may just get away with the ai.exe file.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-31T15:10:21+00:00

    Just today I started getting an annoying popup every time I search about AI...

    but here's the way to stop it:

    Go to the lab icon (the 3 dots)

    Click on Settings

    Click on Privacy and Security

    Scroll to the bottom and click on Pop Ups and Redirects

    Find the pop up -- DELETE it!

    The credit goes to this guy who after I did a quick search on YT gave me the answer,

    so please click the link and give him a like and let him know in the comments Lisa's Chatroom YT channel shared his info:

    How to GET RID of Pop Up Ads in Windows 10! (2020 Working!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ZmXj-BkgY

    :) Have a happy day

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