Level 1

49 points

I want to disable Copilot in Word on MacBook Air

This morning, I opened a new document in Word, and I got a prompt to "Press the icon or select ⌘+ \ to draft with Copilot." I do not want to use Copilot. When I search for a way to disable it, I'm directed to either click on Copilot on my toolbar or find it in Authoring and Proofing Tools in Word and uncheck it—Neither of these works. Clicking on it in the toolbar takes me to Privacy Preferences, and the only option is "Collapse Copilot automatically." Going to Settings/Personal Settings/Privacy/Connected Experience" and unchecking the analytical tools does not work either. Thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 17, 2025 8:26 AM

Top-ranking reply

docadhoc

Level 1

44 points

Posted on Jan 20, 2025 9:00 AM

The only option currently seems to be to revert to a previous version of Office. After chatting with Microsoft for an hour, that was the conclusion. You find previous versions here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

Do the followoing:

Turn off AutoUpdate (Word/Help/CheckForUpdate)
Close all office apps
Delete the apps with Copilot (Word, PowerPoint)
Download and install a previous version. I used the March 12 version (16.83), any version before the introduction of Copilot in your country will probably work.

You're in the drivers set - with no Copilot. At least for now.

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98 replies

relarion Author

Level 1

49 points

Jan 22, 2025 6:55 PM in response to derivativemusic

Derivative, I did manage to contact someone at "Microsoft Tech Support" once, and the experience was long, exhausting, and fruitless.

I'm just so used to it. What are you using instead, Pages?

Jan 22, 2025 7:01 PM in response to relarion

I still have Office 365 for another couple of weeks. But we're not renewing.

When were you able to get to their tech support? I tried recently and gave up.

Jan 22, 2025 7:02 PM in response to relarion

I've found the transition to Pages smooth and seamless. Seems like Apple has done some good work on it and menus and commands are easy to find.

~ Jack

Jan 22, 2025 7:15 PM in response to relarion

I suspect that, if enough people register their complaints through the "Feedback" option (Help/Feedback), this issue will be addressed in another update cycle or two. Until then, we soldier on.

Jan 23, 2025 5:50 PM in response to Ivy_Hay

Thank you, Ivy. I found that feature box was already unclicked but I'll try it anyway.

Stay tuned!

~Jack

Jan 24, 2025 7:27 AM in response to steve626

Brilliant! This worked for me. No more pesky, intrusive "Co-Pilot" icon on my documents!

Thanks so VERY much!

For the record:

Office365
Word Version 16.93 (25011212)
Mac OS Sequoia 15.2

eliezerw

Level 1

21 points

Jan 25, 2025 5:15 PM in response to relarion

In Word PREFERENCES there is an icon for Copilot. Click it — Disable Copilot.

Jan 30, 2025 10:59 PM in response to steve626

All my connected experiences are unchecked. This is so frustrating

Jan 30, 2025 11:01 PM in response to eliezerw

I don't have this

BDAqua

Level 10

251,667 points

Feb 9, 2025 5:45 AM in response to ericmayberlugan

👍

relarion Author

Level 1

49 points

Feb 10, 2025 7:37 AM in response to relarion

Thanks, everyone. It seems our long Connected Experiences nightmare is over. I look forward to writing my lyrics and to-do lists unsupervised FOR NOW.

BDAqua

Level 10

251,667 points

Feb 13, 2025 8:03 AM in response to docadhoc

Whew, thanks.👍

Feb 15, 2025 12:18 PM in response to wfd11777

Yes!! That worked, thank you!!

MBeeP

Level 1

8 points

Feb 28, 2025 9:24 AM in response to docadhoc

Thanks for this suggestion. I find Copilot annoying and the fact that it isn't to turn off infuriating. I will be going back to an older version.

Mar 12, 2025 6:32 AM in response to wfd11777

Give that man a cigar. Works perfectly. Begone CoPilot of irritancy.

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I want to disable Copilot in Word on MacBook Air