This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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!!!!!!!!
Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
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.
Exactly. I hope they heed all the feedback. I went back to previous version. Will ignore ALL updates.
To me it is no different to what they provide in Outlook 365, where they have a toggle switch to turn on to try the New Outlook.
That is something I'm not interested in, but at least it provides the User with the option.
It is outrageous that copilot can not be turned off without reloading the whole software. There should be a toggle. It is so distracting and insulting to creative content producers, to have it constantly hovering on the screen. The quickest solution for getting rid of co-pilot is downloading a different software.
I encourage you to investigate Linux, there are many flavours and Ubuntu is a good place to start. You can totally sever connections with Microsoft, the Ubuntu operating system is friendly, not that different to Windows and does not spam you or alter your settings unasked. There are perfectly good free alternatives to Microsoft Office so think about beginning a whole new chapter in computing where you are the central focus and not just another income stream for Microsoft.
It looks like a great many of us want copilot turned off or at least the option to do so ourselves. I have only found it in Word this morning and I'm so annoyed by the way it appears and cannot be removed. Like everyone else here it's clear that ai tech should be a choice not forced upon users. There are many who are not interested and Microsoft should not be forcing users to work with ai to suit their own agenda. Put the investment into making Bing a better search engine instead.
I have only just updated my hardware so the option to flip to Mac isn't in the frame but after all these years Microsoft this may be where we part ways. I expect you to prioritise an update that removed this forced copilot or as a minimum allows it to be disabled. In the meantime I am now forced to use my precious time to either jump online to your chat or attempt so called work arounds - rolling back versions. And all these things predictably and consistently take too long - customers spend a heap of time researching, attempting fixes and then lengthy time online or chat. This is serving your own agenda Microsoft, not your paying customers. The ones interested in copilot are no doubt already using it. It is absolutely disgraceful that this kind of "innovation" is seen as essential in an upgrade. Is there no low that will be stooped to for the collection of information under the cloak of we're making your lives easier? Shame Microsoft.