How do I stop Copilot interfering with my documents? I removed the app but it is still there like an embedded virus. Word for Windows.

My inclination is to give up on Office if Copilot cannot be disabled easily in all apps and Windows itself, ideally at the account level rather than as now at device/app level. I find it intrusive and unnecessary, It feels like a ploy to lock users into MS apps. Much as Microsoft did until anti-trust action stopped them bundling Internet Explorer. I do not want my word processor or spreadsheet second guessing what I want to do. The last thing I need is "AI" screwing up the PhD thesis I am currently finalising.

It might just be the final straw that makes me switch to Linux as my main platform, at the moment my PC is dual-boot but I only use Linux for some key hardware that is no longer supported by Windows. It would be easy to reversae the boot priorities and make Linux the primary boot option. I already have most of the Linux apps that I would need to make the switch.

Martin Wilson

Hi Martin,

Keep in mind that what you post here is never seen by anyone in a decision-making position at Microsoft. If you just want to get your frustration off your chest, that is fine. If you want to get the attention of those who imposed this on you (and their supervisors) use the feedback mechanisms. It is because so many complained about Word for Windows and Word for the Mac that switches were added to turn it off in those. What we have been told is that switches to turn this off in the other applications (and likely Windows) are coming. Be the squeaky wheel! Complain to those who can make the change. Or switch to Linux if you want, I guess.

This is a user-to-user support forum. -- You can give feedback TO MICROSOFT designers and decision makers on Microsoft Word or other Microsoft Products using their feedback mechanisms, (not here). (This is a link to directions.)

For Office, you can switch to Office Classic (i.e. without Copilot) if you want.

See my post above with the video.

For more: Removing Annoying CoPilot Prompts - see my response

That option doesn't present for me

I don't show any kind of "copilot" category under Word/Options.

Very frustrating.

Hi Brian,

Do you have the Word for Windows desktop application, version 2501?

See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYVPThx7yss

I do not have this option. I only have "collapse copilot summary automatically". I do not want the bubbles on the screen above my document. This is spam for my screen.

And... you do not have the pro version of Copilot?

I also have "collapse copilot summary automatically" but have to click on it to momentarily remove it. I originally subscribed to Microsoft Office online years ago and my subscription is automatically renewed every year. I am upgraded to all iprovements that Microsoft THINKS I NEED. I waste so much time uninstalling (or TRYING to uninstall) most of their upgrades to the point where I think I have to cancel Microsoft 365 to escape these annoyances!

I would like to get rid of all of the copilot pop ups--email, word, etc. They are annoying and useless to me in my daily use of these programs. They interfere with my ability to do my job easily.!

Posting this here is like finding a good empty canyon where you can get a good echo and shouting your frustration, anger, and hurt at the way you are being treated at work. It may feel good, but nobody who can make a difference is hearing it. I would suggest if you want to get to Microsoft you might try to find a letters to the editor in PC periodicals and local newspapers. At least there, you might put a dent in the market share.

Nobody who can change anything at Microsoft reads anything posted here. We are your fellow users.

This is a user-to-user support forum. -- You can give feedback TO MICROSOFT designers and decision makers on Microsoft Word or other Microsoft Products using their feedback mechanisms, (not here). (This is a link to directions.)

By using the feedback mechanisms the people who messed this up hear from you. So do their supervisors, and their supervisors!

This is the quickest I've ever seen Microsoft step up to fix something and I've been watching for more than twenty years. This debacle started about two weeks ago. The feedback started coming in that weekend from Word users. They added the fix by the following Tuesday for Word for Windows and today for Word on the Mac. They are promising to get similar fixes out for the other desktop applications real soon. I believe them.

Again, for Word users, there is a switch to turn it off.