365 Word App opens as Copilot

Question

365 Word App opens as Copilot

Michael Scott 0

I have just installed 365 and Excel and PowerPoint open as expected, but Word opens as Copilot - can anyone help resolve this?

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Hendrix-V 18,605 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Michael Scott,

It sounds like Word may not be launching the correct app, while Excel and PowerPoint are opening normally. Since the thread does not yet include enough details to determine whether this is occurring on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows device, a quick check can help narrow it down.

Please try these checking steps:

Open the Microsoft Word app directly from your device's app list or App Store page rather than from a shortcut.
If Word opens as Copilot, uninstall only the Word app and reinstall it from your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Let me know:
- What device you're using (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows PC)?
- Does the Word icon itself launch Copilot, or are you opening Word from within the Microsoft 365 app?

Those details will help identify whether this is an app association issue or a licensing/app installation issue.

I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Michael Scott 0 Reputation points

2026-08-23T12:02:38.9666667+00:00

Thank you - I have Microsoft 365 installed on my iPad. Since posting, I have been able to open Word from One Drive. Yes, the Word icon launches Copilot, while the others, e.g., Excel and PowerPoint launch correctly.
Hendrix-V 18,605 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-26T02:13:09.97+00:00
Hi Michael Scott,

Thank you for the update. Since Word opens correctly from OneDrive, it sounds like the Word app itself is installed and working, but the Home Screen icon may be linked to Copilot rather than Word.

Please try the following:

Press and hold the Word icon on your iPad and select Remove App (this will remove the shortcut/app from the Home Screen).

Open the App Library and search for Microsoft Word.

If Word appears there, tap and hold it, then choose Add to Home Screen.

If Word is not listed separately, reinstall Microsoft Word from the App Store and then launch it directly once before adding it back to the Home Screen.

You can also compare the installed apps under Settings > Apps to confirm both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Copilot are installed as separate apps.
Hendrix-V 18,605 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-27T06:37:47.22+00:00

Hi Michael Scott,

If you have any further questions or updates regarding this issue, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section. I'd be happy to assist you.
Michael Scott 0 Reputation points

2026-08-27T10:38:56.5733333+00:00

Thank you Hendrix-V, I will try your suggestions
Hendrix-V 18,605 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-28T06:45:18.2933333+00:00

Hi Michael Scott,

Thanks for following up. Let me know how it goes after the steps, feel free to post back and I'd be happy to assist you.

Answer 2

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