How to Effortlessly Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word
Key Notes
- You can customize Copilot settings specifically for Microsoft Word without affecting other apps.
- Multiple methods are available to disable or remove Copilot.
- Downgrading might be irreversible for users who still want some functionalities from other applications.
Optimizing Your Experience by Disabling Copilot in Word
With the rollout of Copilot in Microsoft Office, many users find themselves searching for ways to turn off this feature in Word to restore their workflow efficiency. This guide walks you through several approaches to disable or remove Copilot in Microsoft Word without impacting the entire Microsoft 365 suite.
How to Turn Off Copilot in Microsoft Word
Step 1: Disable Copilot in Word
To begin, open Microsoft Word, navigate to the File tab, and select Options from the left sidebar. If you don’t see it, check under the More section.
In the Word Options window, locate the Copilot tab and uncheck the option labeled Enable Copilot.
Click OK to save your changes. For them to take effect, restart Microsoft Word. Once you reopen the application, the Copilot will be disabled, and its icon in the Home tab will be greyed out. If it still appears active, try restarting your computer and checking again.
Pro Tip: This method works for disabling Copilot on both Windows and Mac versions of Microsoft Word.
Step 2: Remove Copilot from the Home Menu
Open Microsoft Word, right-click the top ribbon and select the Customize the Ribbon option. From the dropdown on the right, choose Main Tabs.
Find the Assistance entry under the Home tab and click on Remove. Finally, click OK to execute these changes and release Microsoft Word again.
You will now find that the Copilot icon has been removed from your Home tab. However, if you want to re-enable it later, you can do so by navigating back to the same menu and selecting Copilot to add it back.
Step 3: Work Offline in Microsoft Word
For another easy method to bypass Copilot, consider working offline. Since Copilot needs an internet connection to function, disconnecting your computer from the internet will significantly diminish its capabilities, allowing you to work more freely.
Step 4: Switch to a Plan Without Copilot
If you would prefer a permanent solution, one option is to switch to a subscription plan that does not support Copilot functionality. Microsoft 365 Basic will eliminate any features related to Copilot, including AI Credits.
Additionally, temporary plans like Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic will also remove Copilot capabilities. For more information about different plans, visit the official Microsoft website.
Step 5: Install an Older Version of Microsoft Word
To downgrade to an earlier version of Microsoft Word without Copilot, you need to take several steps.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and locate all running Microsoft Office processes.
- Right-click each process and select End Task.
- Press Windows + S and type Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator.
- Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
- Type the command below and hit Enter :
cd %programfiles% \Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun. - Execute this command to downgrade:
Officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17531.20120. - Allow the updates to finish downloading.
- Once complete, restart your computer and relaunch Word to verify changes.
- If Copilot is disabled, go to the File menu, select Account, and click on Update Options, then choose Disable Updates to prevent automatic updates that may reinstate Copilot.
Downgrading will remove Copilot from other Microsoft apps as well, so consider this option carefully. If your goal is solely to disable Copilot in Word, I suggest disabling it and removing its icon from the ribbon instead.
Summary
Disabling Copilot in Microsoft Word can be achieved by using one or several methods. Users can disable the feature within Word settings, remove the icon from the ribbon, use offline mode, switch to a non-Copilot plan, or even install an older version of the application. Choose the option that best fits your needs to optimize your workflow in Word.
Conclusion
By following the above methods, you can easily disable Copilot in Microsoft Word, allowing for a smoother and more distraction-free working experience. If you need further assistance or have other insights, feel free to leave a comment below!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I disable Copilot without affecting other Microsoft 365 apps?
Yes, disabling Copilot in Word does not affect its functionality in other Microsoft 365 applications.
Is Copilot entirely removed when I uninstall Word?
Yes, uninstalling Word will remove Copilot, along with other features of Microsoft Office.