Brace yourselves, Microsoft 365 users, because 2025 has ushered in a new era of productivity with Microsoft Copilot becoming a standard feature across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and even OneNote. This AI-powered assistant has incredible capabilities, from generating suggested text to automating routine tasks. However, not everyone is entirely on board—some might find it intrusive, perhaps too AI-forward, or just unnecessary for their workflows. If you're nodding your head in agreement, keep reading, as we’ll walk you through how to effectively disable or hide Copilot in individual Microsoft 365 apps to reclaim your workspace exactly how you like it.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of disabling and hiding this feature, let’s unpack what we're dealing with. Microsoft Copilot is an integral component of Microsoft 365, designed to bring AI functionalities directly into your core productivity tools. Think of Copilot as a personal AI teammate that can:
The next logical step? Microsoft extending the "disable" functionality across all major apps like Excel and PowerPoint. Until that happens, tweaks like ribbon customization and localized options are key workarounds. Whether Copilot is your newfound best friend or just another unwelcome AI workplace buddy, Microsoft’s granularity in allowing individual management is a win for user autonomy overall.
So, WindowsForum.com users—where do you land on the Copilot debate? Share your thoughts below or tell us how you plan to customize—or totally remove—AI from your apps!
Source: How-To Geek How to Disable or Hide Copilot in Individual Microsoft 365 Apps
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of disabling and hiding this feature, let’s unpack what we're dealing with. Microsoft Copilot is an integral component of Microsoft 365, designed to bring AI functionalities directly into your core productivity tools. Think of Copilot as a personal AI teammate that can:- Summarize lengthy emails in Outlook.
- Draft documents or suggest edits in Word.
- Generate advanced formulas in Excel.
- Create slide decks in PowerPoint based on content prompts.
- Enhance collaboration notes in OneNote.
How to Fully Disable Copilot in a Specific Microsoft 365 App
As of January 24, 2025, Microsoft only allows a full disablement of Copilot in Microsoft Word on both Windows and macOS. Unfortunately, this setting hasn’t yet been extended as a comprehensive feature across all apps; however, Microsoft has hinted at expanding support in the future. For now, here’s how to shut Copilot down in Word.Steps to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word
- Access the Options Menu:
- On Windows, navigate to File > Options.
- On a Mac, go to Preferences > Authoring And Proofing Tools.
- Toggle Off Copilot:
- In the options or preferences menu, select "Copilot" from the side menu.
- Uncheck "Enable Copilot" to completely turn off all Copilot functionalities within Word.
- Finalize Settings:
- Click "OK" to save your changes. The Copilot icon will now appear grayed out on the Home tab in the ribbon.
- If the icon remains clickable, try closing and reopening Microsoft Word.
Important Notes:
- Disabling Copilot in one app does not disable it in others. So if Copilot is your arch-nemesis, you’ll have to repeat the process app by app (whenever Microsoft permits this functionality in future updates).
- These changes are only localized to the device—you’ll need to redo the setup if you log into a different device using the same Microsoft account.
How to Hide Copilot in the Ribbon
If you aren’t ready for a full AI divorce and just want to tidy up the interface, consider hiding Copilot from the ribbon instead. This keeps Copilot running in the background but removes its up-front visibility, which can be appealing for those who like a minimalistic look or occasionally use the feature but don’t need constant reminders of its existence.Steps to Remove the Copilot Icon from the Ribbon
- Customize the Ribbon:
- Right-click anywhere along the ribbon and select "Customize The Ribbon" from the context menu.
- Locate the Copilot Placement:
- Copilot resides in the "Assistance" group within the "Home" tab by default. Make sure the "Main Tabs" option is selected in the customization menu.
- Remove the Assistance Group:
- Expand the "Home" tab, then select the "Assistance" group.
- Click "Remove."
- Apply Changes:
- Hit "OK" to save your tweaks. Voilà, Copilot and its visual compatriots are no longer part of your ribbon interface!
Caveats:
- What’s removed with Copilot is not just Copilot—any other tools under the same "Assistance" group, like Designer in PowerPoint or Editor in Word, will also disappear from that tab.
- Fear not—these tools are not annihilated; you can find them elsewhere in the app’s other tabs or simply search for them using the search bar.
- How to Bring it Back:
- If you miss your once-beloved AI assistant (perhaps after the post-AI revolution guilt hits), reintroducing Copilot is simple. Just re-add the "Assistance" group by navigating back to the ribbon customization menu, selecting the Home tab, finding Assistance in the left-side menu, and clicking "Add."
Should You Disable or Keep Copilot?
While disabling or hiding this tool restores app environments to their pre-Copilot simplicity, it's worth considering what you lose when doing so:Pros of Disabling Copilot:
- Uninterrupted Focus: Let’s face it—constant AI suggestions can be distracting, especially for users who already find the ribbon too cluttered.
- Local Control: Keeping your preferences tied to a single app on a single device ensures separation of work and play.
- Bandwidth Consideration: Copilot leans on cloud-powered AI. Disabling it could reduce data usage in environments with restricted Internet connections.
Cons of Disabling Copilot:
- Lost Productivity Gains: For those who rely on Copilot to automate repetitive tasks or generate quick insights, this decision could feel like stepping back in time.
- Manual Restoration Across Devices: Decidding to undo might feel irritating since the process isn't automatically synchronized across devices or apps.
Final Thoughts: To AI or Not to AI?
Microsoft’s Copilot is undeniably an incredible technological leap forward, but it’s also not everyone's cup of tea. Disabling it (or even just tucking it away) gives users more control over their software experience, making Microsoft 365 adaptable to varying preferences. After all, software should work for you—not dictate how you should work.The next logical step? Microsoft extending the "disable" functionality across all major apps like Excel and PowerPoint. Until that happens, tweaks like ribbon customization and localized options are key workarounds. Whether Copilot is your newfound best friend or just another unwelcome AI workplace buddy, Microsoft’s granularity in allowing individual management is a win for user autonomy overall.
So, WindowsForum.com users—where do you land on the Copilot debate? Share your thoughts below or tell us how you plan to customize—or totally remove—AI from your apps!
Source: How-To Geek How to Disable or Hide Copilot in Individual Microsoft 365 Apps
