Notes:
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The info in this article applies only to when you're signed in to your Microsoft 365 apps with a Microsoft account. For example, a personal outlook.com email address.
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The info in this article does not apply to Microsoft 365 for the web programs.
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Copilot is built with the principles of fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability at its core. Learn more about our approach to responsible AI.
If you want to turn off Copilot in a Microsoft 365 app (for example, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), you can clear the Enable Copilot checkbox in the app on your Windows or Mac device. When you turn off Copilot in an app, the Copilot icon on the ribbon is disabled and you won't be able to use any Copilot capabilities in that app.
As an alternative to turning off Copilot, you can remove the Copilot icon from the ribbon. For more info, see Customize the ribbon in Office. Removing the icon from the ribbon doesn't turn off Copilot; you can still access Copilot through other methods, such as the shortcut menu.
Note: If you want a plan that doesn't include Copilot, there is Microsoft 365 Basic or Office Home 2024. Or you can downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic.
Use the "Enable Copilot" checkbox to turn off Copilot
There is a separate Enable Copilot checkbox in each app and the checkbox only applies to that app on that device. For example, if you want to turn off Copilot in Word and Excel, you need to go to both apps and clear the Enable Copilot checkbox. If you have multiple devices, you need to go to each device and clear the Enable Copilot checkbox for each app. Also, turning off Copilot on a device turns off Copilot for anybody using that device.
As of March 13, 2025, the Enable Copilot checkbox is available in the following apps starting with the versions listed:
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On Windows:
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Word: Version 2412
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Excel: Version 2501
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PowerPoint: Version 2501
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OneNote: Version 2502
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On Mac:
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Word: Version 16.93
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Excel: Version 16.93.2
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PowerPoint: Version 16.93.2
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If you don't see the Enable Copilot checkbox in the app, check which version of the app that you have. If necessary, update your version of the app on your device.
We're also working on adding the ability to turn Copilot on or off in Outlook. This control will begin rolling out in March 2025. That would include Outlook on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and web
In the meantime, you can change your privacy settings to turn off Copilot.
Clear the "Enable Copilot" checkbox on Windows devices
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In your app (for example, Excel), go to File > Options > Copilot.
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Clear the Enable Copilot checkbox.
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Select OK, and then close and restart the app.
If you want to turn Copilot back on, repeat these steps, but select the Enable Copilot checkbox in Step 2.
Clearing the Enable Copilot checkbox allows you to turn off Copilot without having to change your account privacy settings. If you previously changed your account privacy settings to turn off Copilot, you can change your account privacy settings back to their previous setting. To change your account privacy settings, see Change privacy settings on Windows devices.
Clear the "Enable Copilot" checkbox on Mac devices
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In your app (for example, Word), select the app menu, and then go to Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot.
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Clear the Enable Copilot checkbox.
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Close and restart the app.
If you want to turn Copilot back on, repeat these steps, but select the Enable Copilot checkbox in Step 2.
Clearing the Enable Copilot checkbox allows you to turn off Copilot without having to change your account privacy settings. If you previously changed your account privacy settings to turn off Copilot, you can change your account privacy settings back to their previous setting. To change your account privacy settings, see Change privacy settings on Mac devices.
Change your privacy settings to turn off Copilot
If your Microsoft 365 apps don't yet have the Enable Copilot checkbox, you can turn off Copilot by changing your account privacy settings.
But, when you change your account privacy settings to turn off Copilot, you're also turning off other features in your Microsoft 365 apps that you might want to use. For example, suggested replies in Outlook, text predictions in Word, PowerPoint Designer, and automatic alt text for images. For a list of features that would be turned off, see Connected experiences in Office.
Change privacy settings on Windows devices
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In your app (for example, PowerPoint), go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
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Under Connected experiences, clear the Turn on experiences that analyze your content checkbox.
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Select OK, and then close and restart the app.
You only have to change your privacy settings in one of the apps. The change will take effect in the other apps next time you open them.
Change privacy settings on Mac devices
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In your app (for example, Word), select the app menu, and then go to Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy.
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In the Privacy dialog, go to Connected Experiences > Manage Connected Experiences.
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Clear the Turn on experiences that analyze your content checkbox.
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Select OK, and then close and restart the app.
You only have to change your privacy settings in one of the apps. The change will take effect in the other apps next time you open them.
