Microsoft – Disable Copilot feature in Microsoft Office desktop apps

Microsoft – Disable Copilot feature in Microsoft Office desktop apps

Problem

When using Microsoft Office 365 apps you find the Coplilot feature is annoying or distracting and wish to disable the feature.  For example when you open Word you are prompte with the text 'Select the icon or presss alt +i to draft with co-pilot'.  

Applies to

  1. Microsoft Office

Resolution

Use either set of instructions below to dsiable Co-Pilot

Using the mouse

  1. Click File > Options, the options dialogue will appear.
  2. On the left side in the category list click Copilot.
  3. Then click to uncheck Enable Copilot then click OK.
  4. The route will be the same in all office apps.

Using the keyboard

  1. Press ALT+F to open Fiel menu.
  2. Press DOWN ARROW to reach Options then press ENTER.
  3. In the new Options window press down arr to Copilot in the category list.
  4. Then press TAB until you reach the Enable Co-PIlot checkbox then press SPACEBAR disable it.
  5. Then press TAB to reach OK and press SPACEBAR.


Notes
Note
  1. On some systems you may have to select File > More > Options.
  2. This change does not affect the subscription paid by the user, for details how to access a plan without AI features visit this site:
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/switching-to-microsoft-365-personal-and-family-classic-plans-58342e83-38e7-4cda-b63b-88604a8fb7ef

    • Related Articles

    • Microsoft - Copilot hotkeys within Office apps

      Problem You wish to know what hotkeys for Copilot within Microsoft Office applications. Applies to Microsoft Office apps Resolution The bleow hotkeys may be of particular use/interest to those who use the keyboard as their primary means of ...
    • ZoomText/Fusion – Using Microsoft Copilot app

      Problem A ZoomText/Fusion user would like to use Microsoft Co-Pilot app. Applies to ZoomText/Fusion Resolution At the time of writing 09/2025 there are known bugs submitted with Vispero for the attention of development to address. Currently we do not ...
    • Microsoft – Enable/disable auto-save in Office applications

      Problem A user would like to enable auto-save so that the Office application periodically updates documents being worked on. Applies to Microsoft Office apps Resolution The auto-save feature for Office 2016 apps is only available when using Microsoft ...
    • Microsoft – Open office application to empty document

      Problem By default Microsoft Office apps open to a Start screen rather than an empty document. A user may wish to restore this behaviour to their Microsoft Office applications. Applies to Microsoft office Resolution Some users may find the start ...
    • Microsoft – Check Microsoft Recall feature status and disable

      Problem A customer has heard about the Microsoft Recall feature that is being rolled out to Windows 11 24H2. Users may wish to disable the feature for either of the following reasons: They privacy concerns and are uncomfortable with Recall monitoring ...