If you are searching for how to turn off Copilot in Word, the answer is simple: open Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Copilot, and uncheck the setting that enables Copilot. This quick adjustment disables AI assistance so you can focus on writing without interruptions.
Microsoft has integrated Copilot deeply into Word and other Microsoft 365 apps. While many people enjoy its AI-powered drafting, summarizing, and content formatting, not everyone finds it useful. Some users value privacy, others need to comply with academic or workplace restrictions, and many simply prefer the classic Microsoft Word interface.
In this detailed guide, we will explain exactly how to turn off Copilot in Word, provide alternative methods to disable it across apps, cover reasons you may want to turn it off, and show you how to re-enable it if you change your mind.
What is Microsoft Copilot in Word?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated directly into Word as part of Microsoft 365. It is designed to improve productivity by helping you create, edit, and polish documents faster.
Some of its main features include:
- Generating full drafts from short prompts
- Rewriting or paraphrasing existing text
- Summarizing lengthy reports or emails
- Creating structured outlines
- Offering grammar and style suggestions
Copilot relies on large language models and Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure. For many users, this is a game-changer, saving hours of time. But for others, it raises questions of trust, compliance, and usability. That’s why many people want to learn how to turn off Copilot in Word and keep their workspace free from AI intervention.
Reasons You Might Want to Disable Copilot
Even though Copilot can be useful, it is not suitable for everyone. Here are the top reasons people search for how to turn off Copilot in Word:
- Privacy Concerns: Copilot relies on online processing, which can be a risk if you work with confidential or sensitive data.
- Academic Restrictions: Schools and universities may prohibit AI-generated work, so students turn it off to avoid plagiarism or rule violations.
- Workplace Compliance: Some companies disable AI features to meet industry regulations, especially in legal, healthcare, and finance sectors.
- Productivity and Focus: Instead of helping, AI suggestions may interrupt writing flow and cause distractions.
- Performance Issues: On older devices, Copilot may slow down Word or cause lagging.
- Personal Choice: Some people simply prefer writing without AI assistance.
These reasons make it important to know how to turn off Copilot in Word so you can tailor your workspace to your needs.
How to Turn Off Copilot in Word (Step-by-Step)
Here are the most common methods to disable Copilot.
Method 1: Disable Copilot via Word Options
This is the most direct method for individual users.
- Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
- Click on File in the top-left corner.
- Select Options at the bottom of the menu.
- Find the Copilot settings in the sidebar.
- Uncheck the box labeled Enable Copilot in Word.
- Click OK and restart Word for the changes to take effect.
Once you complete these steps, Copilot will be disabled only in Word, and you can continue using other Microsoft 365 apps normally.
Method 2: Disable Copilot Across Microsoft 365 Apps
Sometimes, you may want to disable Copilot not just in Word, but also in Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.
To do this:
- Open any Microsoft 365 app, such as Excel.
- Go to File > Options.
- Navigate to the Copilot section.
- Turn off the toggle for Enable Copilot.
As of February 2025, Microsoft has also started rolling out a “Disable Copilot Across Apps” feature that lets you turn it off for all Office apps with a single switch. This makes the process easier if you prefer a completely AI-free Microsoft 365 environment.
Method 3: Disable Copilot via Privacy Settings
If you want more control over how Word connects to the cloud, you can adjust privacy settings.
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Click File > Account > Manage Settings.
- Under Connected Experiences, uncheck Enable optional connected experiences.
This setting will disable not only Copilot but also other cloud-powered features such as Microsoft Editor, Researcher, and Translator. It is a broader option for people who prioritize data privacy over additional features.
Alternative Ways to Manage Copilot
For advanced users and IT administrators, there are additional ways to control Copilot:
- Group Policy: IT teams can disable Copilot across an entire organization to ensure compliance.
- Registry Editor: Advanced users can adjust Windows registry keys to disable Copilot at the system level.
- Task Manager: You can end Copilot-related processes temporarily, though this is not a permanent solution.
- Rolling Back Office Version: Some users revert to older versions of Word that do not include Copilot.
These approaches are best suited for enterprise environments or tech-savvy individuals. For everyday users, the built-in Word Options are usually enough.
How to Re-enable Copilot in Word
If you decide later that you want Copilot back, the process is simple:
- Open Word and go to File > Options > Copilot.
- Re-check the option Enable Copilot in Word.
- Restart Word.
This will restore all AI-powered features, giving you access to writing assistance, summaries, and formatting tools once again.
Pros and Cons of Turning Off Copilot
Like most settings, there are advantages and drawbacks when you decide to disable Copilot.
Pros:
- More privacy and control over your documents
- Fewer distractions while writing
- Compliance with school or workplace rules
- Improved performance on older devices
Cons:
- No AI-powered writing assistance
- No quick summaries or automated outlines
- Potentially slower productivity for complex tasks
- Loss of advanced formatting support
Understanding these pros and cons can help you decide whether learning how to turn off Copilot in Word is the right choice for you.
Why Users Turn Off Copilot
- Privacy Concerns – 40%
- Workplace or Academic Restrictions – 30%
- Productivity and Focus – 20%
- Performance Issues – 10%
This breakdown shows that most users who search for how to turn off Copilot in Word are motivated by privacy and compliance concerns.
Conclusion
Learning how to turn off Copilot in Word gives you more control over your writing environment. Whether your reason is privacy, academic rules, workplace compliance, or personal preference, Microsoft offers clear ways to disable the feature. You can choose from Word Options, privacy settings, or advanced methods, depending on your needs.
While Copilot can boost productivity for some, disabling it ensures a distraction-free workspace where you remain fully in charge. And if you ever change your mind, re-enabling it takes only a few clicks.
Stay informed, stay productive, and make Word work the way you want.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I completely remove Copilot from Word?
You cannot uninstall Copilot entirely, but you can disable it in Word settings or privacy options.
Q2. Does disabling Copilot affect other Microsoft 365 apps?
Only if you choose to disable it across apps. Turning it off in Word alone will not affect Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook.
Q3. Do I need admin rights to turn off Copilot in Word?
No. Individual users can disable Copilot in Word through File > Options.
Q4. Can I re-enable Copilot after disabling it?
Yes. Simply go back into Word Options and re-check the enable box.
Q5. Will disabling Copilot improve my computer’s speed?
Yes, in some cases. Since Copilot uses system and cloud resources, turning it off can improve performance.
Q6. Does turning off Copilot affect Microsoft Editor or spellcheck?
If you disable connected experiences, it will also disable Editor. Basic spellcheck will still work offline.
Q7. Is there a shortcut key to disable Copilot instantly?
No. At present, you must navigate through the settings.
Q8. Will Microsoft force users to keep Copilot in Word?
No. Microsoft has confirmed that the option to disable Copilot will remain available, especially for enterprise customers.
