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
    2024-11-05T02:56:05+00:00

    Microsoft must immediately provide a way to disable copilot without breaking 365/office applications. I cannot understand why it is foisted on everyone willy nilly. It's dangerous.

    I should be able to manage without onedrive moving forward. I can probably also find alternatives for every 365 application except Access. If Microsoft refuses to make copilot optional, I'll consider buying access as a standalone app and ditching everything else.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-04T11:20:23+00:00

    I hate it so much that it has just been added, i write novels and it is not only distracting that you cannot remove it, it makes it impossible to property copy TEXT I HAVE WRITTEN to web based browsers to share. it's ridiculous. Please, give us a way to remove it, or at least hide it. I haven't been able to roll back, and i just really need a fix. it is ridiculous that this has been forced on people who don't want it or worse who's professional lives are negatively effected because of it.

    EDIT: And i just learnt turning off privacy settings doesn't work as it turns of autosave, which is my lifesaver. THIS IS NOT OKAY.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-11-04T11:16:27+00:00

    did everything in the video but had problems like some of the others (on the you tube page, posted this in comments there, and thought i should leave this here aswell), but if you fix the part that you do in the notepad it works perfectly. what's underneath the video to copy is different to what is actually used in the video, so instead of using Configuration

    Updates Enabled="TRUE" TargetVersion="16.0.xxxxx.yyyyy" /

    /Configuration

    use

    <Configuration>

    <Updates Enabled="TRUE" TargetVersion="16.0.xxxxx.yyyyy" />

    </Configuration>

    instead im not sure if its because of it being in the description that the arrows didn't work, but just add those and you should be set, once i did it worked exactly like it did in the video.

    hope it helps

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-11-04T08:33:08+00:00

    An intrusion that you can't turn off is coercive but also stupid. Don't you love that every Microsoft 'help' begins with endless questions about versions and subscriptions and other irrelevant garbage designed to postpone, deflect, defeat anyone with a sensible question - let alone someone who is having their livelihood and reputation put at risk by this idiocy.

    I don't expect Microsoft will come to this party and do us the simple courtesy of controlling what we pay for - coercion trumps reason. Again.

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