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

BDAqua

Level 10

251,661 points

Mar 29, 2025 6:09 PM in response to VictoriaJennifer

👍🏽

JaneSum

Level 1

8 points

Apr 25, 2025 7:39 AM in response to wfd11777

Thank you sooooo much wfd11777. It works.

GilBGil

Level 1

14 points

Jan 24, 2025 12:42 AM in response to relarion

What I write in my Prayer Journal is between God and me, exclusively. If I need any AI help, I'll invoke a platform dedicated to that service for that specific purpose; in the meantime, I don't need an unsolicited algorithm analyzing -- and "learning from" -- how well I'm expressing myself about the layers of personal and family trauma I am processing existentially.

rodger68

Level 1

12 points

Jan 28, 2025 3:12 PM in response to rodger68

I just now went back and found what wasn't there yesterday. the Preferences>Copilot. and there I disabled it the thing and voila that worked and I'm no longer seeing any annoying intrusive bs.

What do they pay these geniuses to make these programs? Do they ever take the step of like you know actually testing it with ordinary people which would take about fifteen minutes?? Because the problem would have surfaced immediately. Guess they were in a hurry to roll out this stupid program no one wants.

Just asking. I have no idea how these giant corporations operate but it is so stupid the way they behave.

Feb 9, 2025 12:05 AM in response to relarion

I successfully disabled Copilot in Word 365 on my MacBookPro (running Sonoma 14.7.3) as follows:

Word main menu > Preferences

Preferences > Privacy

In Privacy field, search (upper right) Copilot

The Copilot icon will appear, highlighted

Click on the Copilot icon

Unclick “Enable Copilot”

Restart Word

r8sputin

Level 1

14 points

Feb 17, 2025 3:14 AM in response to SSlaunwhite

If don't have the Enable copilot checkbox in your preferences but you're seeing the copilot icon and prompt in your document, here's how to get the checkbox to appear. It took me ages to work this out, so I thought I'd share it here.

The process is to update your software, enable copilot fully, then you can fully disable it.

Go to Help > Check for updates and update to the latest version. You need 16.93 or later (check your version in Word > About Microsoft Word).
Once you've updated, go to Preferences > Privacy and click on Manage Connected Experiences. Use the checkboxes to turn everything on. Click on OK. You'll need to restart Word to apply this change.
When you restart Word, go to Preferences > Copilot and the Enable copilot checkbox is there. Uncheck it and all the copilot stuff disappears from your documents.

relarion Author

Level 1

49 points

Jan 19, 2025 3:00 PM in response to JackBRochester

Well exactly. My entire creative life takes shape in these Word documents, and this whole "connected experience" thing is creepy and intrusive.

Ivy_Hay

Level 1

14 points

Jan 23, 2025 4:32 PM in response to relarion

Hey everyone!

Anyone discovered how to solve this without reverting to a previous version Office?

Ivy x

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I want to disable Copilot in Word on MacBook Air