How to disable copilot on microsoft office (excel, word, ppt) on Macbook

Howdy - I've already disabled the "connected experience" button. That didn't help. The AI tool is still there scraping my content. I've switched my plan to the "Classic" which supposedly will not feature Copilot. However, Microsoft's sleazy handling of this includes saying that we have to work through our existing subscription before we can get off Copilot - and my plan doesn't renew till December. I also tried buying the standalone version of Office 2024 - and Microsoft says in writing on their website that the one-time purchase, free-standing software does not have Copilot...and it does. So yes, I'm going to be contacting my legislators as well as the press.

I am in the same unfortunate situation, MS decided to force me to use Copilot. I've tried to cancel the subscription and go back to classic with no Copilot but MS does not let me do that because I have six more paid monts...

Is not even about the increase in proce but forcing me to get something I have not want or need.

I've cancelled the automatic renewal and if this is not remediated, I will probably have to buy standalone apps or move to other prtoducts.

While the apps are very good I do not need AI for my home use or business.

It is annoying I cannot turn off Copilot in Excel, do far I was able to turn it off only on Word...

Hi Courtney,

Weeks ago I turned off 'connected experiences' (removes my access to AI, but who knows whether it removes Microsoft's access to my data) and then I 'cancelled' and downgraded to classic for when my current sub renews which is next week at which time if the promised removal of copilot does not go ahead ill be contacting consumer legal experts etc. If they have lied to you about Copilot I'd suggest contacting consumer rights advocates / publications in your country (Aust/NZ?) and tell them about it. There are thousands+ of consumers like us who're angry about this issue.

For people whose sub renews months from now, I'd turn off 'connected experiences' and then contact the chat 'agent' visible in your account home page and TRY to get a solution in writing. Screen-shot everything.

It's probable that you'll have to wait until your current sub expires to be entirely rid of copilot. However, turning off connected experiences might be removal enough of AI to ensure peace of mind for people who cannot have AI in their work - you would still have to deal with the annoying icon in the margin of your docs until your sub downgrades though.

Hi Courtney,

Weeks ago I turned off 'connected experiences' (removes my access to AI, but who knows whether it removes Microsoft's access to my data) and then I 'cancelled' and downgraded to classic for when my current sub renews which is next week at which time if the promised removal of copilot does not go ahead ill be contacting consumer legal experts etc. If they have lied to you about Copilot I'd suggest contacting consumer rights advocates / publications in your country (Aust/NZ?) and tell them about it. There are thousands+ of consumers like us who're angry about this issue.

For people whose sub renews months from now, I'd turn off 'connected experiences' and then contact the chat 'agent' visible in your account home page and TRY to get a solution in writing. Screen-shot everything.

It's probable that you'll have to wait until your current sub expires to be entirely rid of copilot. However, turning off connected experiences might be removal enough of AI to ensure peace of mind for people who cannot have AI in their work - you would still have to deal with the annoying icon in the margin of your docs until your sub downgrades though.

This turns off the copilot function but also shuts off the ability to have OneNote sync with my other computers

Next??