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How to Disable or Remove Copilot from Excel and Outlook
Question details
The user wants to completely remove or disable Microsoft Copilot prompts, icons, and data collection features from Excel and Outlook.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel and Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is concerned about data privacy and wants to remove AI features from their local Office applications.
- Observed behavior
- Copilot icons and prompts continue to appear in Excel and Outlook even after the user has disabled connected experiences and content-analysis services.
Verify whether your Microsoft 365 account is managed by an organization, as IT administrators have the authority to control Copilot policies and override local application settings.
Review Privacy Settings and Administrator Policies
Check your Microsoft 365 privacy settings to ensure all connected experiences are turned off, and verify if organization administrator policies are enforcing the Copilot icon.
While disabling connected services restricts certain data transmissions, Microsoft natively integrates the Copilot UI into Microsoft 365 apps. Completely removing the icon often requires administrative action.
Launch Excel or Outlook, click on 'File', select 'Options', and choose 'Trust Center'. Click the 'Trust Center Settings' button, then select 'Privacy Options'.
Click on 'Privacy Settings' and scroll down to the 'Connected Experiences' section. Uncheck the boxes for 'Experiences that analyze your content' and 'All connected experiences', then restart your application.
If you are using a work or school account, contact your IT administrator. Complete removal of the Copilot interface requires the administrator to disable the Microsoft 365 Copilot license or apply specific Group Policy Objects (GPOs) via the admin center.
Switch to a Non-AI Offline Office Suite
If complete removal of Copilot is not possible in Microsoft 365 and privacy is a primary concern, consider switching to an alternative office suite that does not force AI integrations.
Enjoy a Secure and Lightweight Office Suite with WPS Office
If you are frustrated with forced AI updates or data collection concerns in Microsoft 365, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative. It provides excellent compatibility with Excel formats while giving you more control over your local workspace.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your local machine.
- 3. Open Your Files: Seamlessly open your existing Excel spreadsheets and Outlook exported files directly in WPS Office without worrying about format loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely hide the Copilot icon in Excel?
Hiding the Copilot icon completely depends on your Microsoft 365 license and version. For enterprise users, IT admins can disable the Copilot license or use policy settings. For personal users, turning off connected experiences may not completely remove the UI icon.
Why does Copilot still show up after I disabled connected services?
Microsoft natively integrates Copilot into the user interface of Microsoft 365 apps. Disabling connected services stops data transmission for those specific features, but the UI elements for Copilot may remain visible unless the feature is disabled at the license level.
Does Office 2024 include Microsoft Copilot?
Office 2024 is available as a one-time purchase (LTSC) and typically does not include the advanced cloud-based AI features of Copilot, making it an option for users seeking a more traditional offline experience.
