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!!!!!!!!

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T04:35:47+00:00

    In all fairness, your admins absolutely should have been aware. It wasn't "snuck in," it was very clearly spelled out in the release notes (I'm an admin and I get these notices). As an Enterprise client, we were able to easily disable these features entirely. They make it so difficult for consumers to do it.

    Tell your admins to READ THE RELEASE NOTES - even if it seems like a little nothing update, READ THE NOTES. The number of times I've had to send something to Network Security because of an innocuous "update" is countless. Microsoft tries to sneak things through all the time.

    *Edited for spelling

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T04:32:36+00:00

    Well, I don't want to pay for something I'm never going to frelling use anyway, so not at all sad I cancelled my account. SoftMaker is a better suite of consumer/small business/creative software anyway and I'm glad to support them.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T01:13:16+00:00

    Thank goodness for that!

    Adding unwanted and intrusive AI features in the MS Office product was always such an arrogant and ill founded concept, given the known prohibitions on using AI in many academic fields. The source of any AI based changes remains undisclosed and unable to referenced, and for all we know we would be plagiarising the work of others unknowingly.

    To add further insult to the original rollout, my workplace (government health) was unknowingly infested with CoPilot as an undisclosed ‘feature’ during a software update, and the admins were initially unaware of it being installed on computers used for managing confidential patient care information. After being informed of the issue it was then blocked.

    Who on earth thought this was a good way to roll out a new product?

    My family MS365 subscription remains cancelled.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T00:45:35+00:00

    Article here discuses the situagion:

    https://www.zdnet.com/article/its-official-all-your-office-apps-are-getting-ai-and-a-price-increase/

    and says that:

    There will be a simple checkbox to enable or disable Copilot beginning with version 2412.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-18T23:56:41+00:00

    You can Re-Enable it, same way you disabled it.

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