How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word on Mac
Reading Time: 3 minutes Microsoft’s Copilot feature in Word has sparked frustration among Mac users due to its intrusive nature and lack of clear options for disabling it. This guide compiles solutions and user experiences to help you manage or eliminate Copilot in Word.
When opening a new document in Word, many users are greeted with a prompt saying, “Press the icon or select ⌘+ \ to draft with Copilot.” For those not interested in using Copilot, disabling it has proven to be difficult. Standard instructions, such as unchecking an “Enable Copilot” box in preferences, often don’t work or are unavailable in the Mac version.
Common Challenges
- Missing Disable Options: The “Enable Copilot” checkbox is often absent in the toolbar or Authoring and Proofing Tools.
- Ineffective Settings: Unchecking analytical tools in the Privacy menu or disabling Connected Experiences doesn’t always resolve the issue.
- Persistent Prompts and Icons: Even after attempting to disable Copilot, the icon and prompts often persist.
- Privacy Concerns: Many users are uncomfortable with Microsoft’s “required service data” policy, which involves sending data to the cloud for Copilot functionality.
Solutions and Workarounds
1. Disable Connected Experiences
- Open Word and navigate to Preferences > Privacy > Connected Experiences.
- Uncheck all three options under Connected Experiences.
- Restart Word to see if the Copilot icon disappears.
- Note: Disabling Connected Experiences may also disconnect features like OneDrive.
2. Revert to an Older Version of Word
- Turn Off AutoUpdate:
- Go to Word > Help > Check for Updates and disable AutoUpdate.
- Uninstall the Current Version:
- Close all Office apps and move Word to the Trash.
- Download a Pre-Copilot Version:
- Visit Microsoft’s Update History for Office.
- Install a version released before Copilot’s introduction in your region.
3. Switch to Alternative Word Processors
- Consider using Apple’s Pages or other word-processing tools like Google Docs. Pages offers a streamlined writing experience without the distractions of Copilot.
Tips from Our Users
- Disabling Connected Experiences: Some users found that disabling specific Connected Experiences options reduced Copilot’s visibility.
- Providing Feedback: Logging into Office 365 accounts and leaving feedback about Copilot’s implementation can help signal these concerns to Microsoft.
- Trying Pages Again: Former Word users have revisited Pages, finding it easier to use than in the past and a viable alternative.
While Copilot aims to enhance productivity, its implementation on Mac has left many users frustrated. Following the steps outlined above can help reduce its impact on your workflow. If none of these solutions work, consider providing feedback to Microsoft or transitioning to alternative software. Hopefully, future updates will address these concerns and provide users with better control over Copilot.
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Although following instructions to disenable copilot in Word on my MAC, Go to File, the OPTIONS etc – unfortunately no OPTION under FILE!! I’m paying £88pa for this nightmare .