How to disable or remove Copilot from Word (there is a solution - check 2nd edit)

Anonymous
2024-11-01T04:09:09+00:00

This morning Copilot appeared in Word. I do not have a subscription for it, nor do I want it at all. It just appeared in what must have been an update.

I have the most up-to-date word running on a desktop with Windows 11.

I need to disable Copilot. I do not want to see it in the ribbon or right in the middle of the writing space (in the image).

Please advise how to disable, remove or just stop Copilot as I can't seem to remove it. I'm downright frustrated with it and didn't ask or request it. I did not buy it or subscribe to it.

Thank you.

Leah

Edit: Found the best solution was to roll back to a previous version before it updated. I replied further down and used a method that worked for me. Best I can suggest is do that and then start updating again when they allow us to turn stupid Copilot OFF.

2nd Edit: In the newest update (including in Australia) you can now turn it off in word for windows: File -> Options -> copilot (4th option) -> untick enable.

HOORAY! IT IS OFF!!!!!!!!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-29T05:40:21+00:00

    You can change your plan via your Microsoft account on the website account.microsoft.com. Click Manage beneath your subscription.

    Someone earlier in the thread said that the option to change to Office 365 Personal Classic only appears if you are close to the end of your current subscription. I had the option when I switched a couple of weeks ago and my current subscription completes in March.

    Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to change the plan immediately, so I still have to put up with the Copilot stuff until March...

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-29T04:31:58+00:00

    I too downgraded to an earlier version of 365. All good for the time being.

    Hi Michael. Can you send me instructions on how to do that on a Mac? (Apple couldn't help here!) My subscription will revert to 365 Classic when it expires in July 2025 but would rather get rid of Copilot in the meantime. So annoying.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-28T21:49:47+00:00

    I too downgraded to an earlier version of 365. All good for the time being.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-28T21:01:58+00:00

    This Outlook AI totally sucks! It keeps changing what I am trying to write to something I don't want to write. I have to erase it and try again. This happens over and over again. AI totally sucks and Microsoft can stick it where the sun don't shine!

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-12-24T11:33:23+00:00

    The way they throw around the term "classic" is a bit confusing.

    I have the lifetime license version of Office professional 2021.

    I did a repair-reinstall just a few days back and along with the re-install it changed the icon name to:

    "Outlook

    (classic)"

    Still the AI service shows up as a sub-service in both Outlook and Word etc...

    Somewhere (maybe this thread) I found this batch file to remove it, but hesitate to use it:

    taskkill /IM ai.exe /F
    CD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"
    Del ai.exe
    Del ai.dll
    Del aimgr.exe

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