disable copilot

Disabling Copilot depends on where it is being used. The following options are available in the provided context.

1. Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote – Windows/Mac)

Use the in-app Copilot setting (preferred when available):

• On Windows (for example, Word/Excel/PowerPoint/OneNote):
  1. Open the app.
  2. Go to File > Options > Copilot.
  3. Clear the Enable Copilot checkbox.
  4. Select OK, then close and restart the app.
• On Mac (Word/Excel/PowerPoint):
  1. Open the app.
  2. Go to the app menu (for example, Word), then Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot.
  3. Clear the Enable Copilot checkbox.
  4. Close and restart the app.

Notes:

• The Enable Copilot checkbox is per app and per device. Repeat for each app and each device where Copilot should be off.
• If the checkbox is not visible, check the app version and update if needed, as described in the context.

If the Enable Copilot checkbox is not available yet, turn off content-analyzing connected experiences:

• On Windows:
  1. In any Microsoft 365 app, go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
  2. Under Connected experiences, clear Turn on experiences that analyze your content.
  3. Select OK, then close and restart the app.
  4. This change applies across the Microsoft 365 apps for that account.
• On Mac:
  1. In any Microsoft 365 app, go to [App] > Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy.
  2. In Connected Experiences > Manage Connected Experiences, clear Turn on experiences that analyze your content.
  3. Select OK, then close and restart the app.

This disables Copilot and other cloud features that analyze content (such as suggested replies, text predictions, Designer, automatic alt text).

2. Outlook with Copilot

Outlook uses a Turn on Copilot toggle instead of the Enable Copilot checkbox.

As of the dates in the context, turn Copilot off as follows:

• Android: Quick Settings > Copilot – turn off Turn on Copilot.
• iOS: Quick Settings > Copilot – turn off Turn on Copilot.
• Mac: Quick Settings > Copilot – turn off Turn on Copilot.
• Web: Settings > Copilot – turn off Turn on Copilot.
• Windows (new Outlook): Settings > Copilot – turn off Turn on Copilot.

Notes:

• The Outlook Copilot toggle applies across all Outlook clients where signed in with the same account.
• There is currently no on/off control for Copilot in classic Outlook for Windows in the provided context.

3. Microsoft Copilot app on Windows (consumer experience)

If the standalone Microsoft Copilot app is installed and causing issues, it can be removed:

• As an end user on Windows:
  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
  2. Find Microsoft Copilot.
  3. Select the three dots next to it and choose Uninstall.
• As an IT administrator (to prevent or remove the app at scale):
  • Use AppLocker to block or remove the Microsoft Copilot app package (MICROSOFT.COPILOT) as described in the context, instead of the legacy TurnOffWindowsCopilot policy, which is subject to deprecation.

4. GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2022

If performance issues are related to GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio:

• An administrator can disable Copilot via Group Policy:
  1. Download and place the Visual Studio Administrative Template files (ADMX/ADML) into C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions.
  2. Open Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Visual Studio > Copilot Settings.
  4. Configure the relevant policy to disable Copilot (including Copilot Free in Visual Studio 17.13+).
  5. Restart Visual Studio.
• To fully disable Agent Mode in Visual Studio 17.14.16+:
  1. In Local Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Visual Studio > Copilot Settings > Disable Agent Mode.
  2. Enable this policy.
  3. Restart Visual Studio.

If Copilot appears disabled in Visual Studio but still shows as unavailable, an administrator may already have disabled it; in that case, contact the IT department as indicated in the context.

References:

• Turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps
• Updated Windows and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat experience
• Admin controls for GitHub Copilot
• Troubleshoot GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio