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How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word on an iMac
Question details
A student needs to disable or remove the Copilot feature in Microsoft Word on an iMac to ensure academic writing complies with school policies regarding AI-assisted work.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- iMac (macOS)
- Scenario
- Using a school-provided Microsoft 365 account to write academic assignments.
- Observed behavior
- Copilot is actively integrated into Word, presenting a risk of accidental usage which the school may flag as plagiarism.
Verify whether your Microsoft 365 account is managed by your educational institution, as schools often control feature availability (including AI tools) at the administrator level.
Check Word Preferences and Customize Ribbon
Unlike Windows, macOS applications use a dedicated Preferences menu. You can attempt to remove the Copilot button from your workspace here.
On a Mac, you will not find the traditional 'File > Options' menu used in Windows. Instead, you need to navigate to 'Word > Preferences'. While you might not be able to disable the AI service entirely without admin rights, you can often remove its visibility from your toolbar.
Launch Microsoft Word on your iMac. In the top menu bar (next to the Apple logo), click on 'Word' and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.
In the Preferences window, locate and click on 'Ribbon & Toolbar'.
In the right-hand column showing your active Ribbon tabs, expand the 'Home' tab (or wherever Copilot is located), select 'Copilot', and click the minus (-) button or the left arrow to remove it from your toolbar. Click 'Save' to apply changes.
Contact Your School Administrator
School-managed Microsoft 365 accounts often have Copilot access restricted or forced by the tenant administrator.
Install an Approved Older Version of Word
If permitted by your school, using a version of Word released prior to Copilot integration ensures the AI feature is completely absent.
Write with Confidence Using WPS Office
If you cannot disable Copilot in your school-managed Microsoft Word account and need a reliable word processor for assignments, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative. It provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft formats while keeping you in full control of your writing environment without forced AI integrations.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install on Your iMac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue working on your assignments without Copilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no 'File > Options' menu in Word on my iMac?
macOS applications follow a different design standard than Windows. In Word for Mac, global application settings are located under 'Word > Preferences' in the top Apple menu bar, rather than in the File menu.
Can I disable Copilot for just one specific document on my Mac?
No, Microsoft Copilot is integrated at the application or account level. You cannot toggle it on or off for individual documents. If it is active, it will be available across all documents opened under that account.
Will logging out and logging back in remove Copilot?
No. If your school’s Microsoft 365 license includes Copilot, logging out and back in will simply re-authenticate your license and restore the Copilot feature. You must request your IT admin to disable it or use an alternative software.
Can the school detect if I use Copilot if it is enabled?
Yes, text generated by AI tools like Copilot often lacks the natural variation of human writing and can be flagged by the AI detection software many schools use to check assignments. It is safer to remove it from your workflow entirely.
