Copilot in Word Issues

How to Remove or Disable Copilot in Word on Windows 11

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to permanently remove or disable the Copilot AI interface from Microsoft Word on a Windows 11 computer.

Product: Microsoft Word (Office Home and Student 2021 / Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Trying to clear the Word interface of the Copilot assistant to restore a standard, distraction-free document editing environment.
Observed behavior: Copilot is displaying inside the Word interface, despite the user utilizing Office Home and Student 2021, which typically does not include the feature.

Before you start

Before modifying your Word settings, verify whether your computer has a pre-installed Microsoft 365 trial or if you are signed in with a Microsoft 365 account, as Copilot is generally not native to perpetual Office 2021 licenses.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Office Version and Microsoft Account Status

Since Copilot is not typically built into Office 2021, verifying your installed versions and signed-in accounts is the most effective way to identify the source of the Copilot feature.

Microsoft Copilot is a cloud-based service primarily linked to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. If you are using Office Home and Student 2021, Copilot might be appearing because Word is detecting a secondary Microsoft 365 account or a leftover trial installation on your Windows 11 device.

Check Product Information

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the left sidebar to view your exact Product Information.

Review Signed-In Accounts

Under the 'User Information' section, check which Microsoft account is currently signed in. If it is an account tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription, click 'Sign out'.

Uninstall Conflicting Office Versions

Press Windows + I to open Settings, navigate to 'Apps' > 'Installed apps', and search for 'Office' or 'Microsoft 365'. Uninstall any Microsoft 365 installations leaving only your Office 2021 suite.

Account Sync: Signing out of a Microsoft 365 account will remove Copilot but may also disconnect your OneDrive cloud storage from Word.

Solution 2

Disable Connected Experiences in Trust Center

You can turn off optional connected experiences in Word, which restricts the app from connecting to cloud-based services like Copilot.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enjoy a Distraction-Free Writing Experience with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word's forced AI integrations and connected experiences are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fast, and familiar interface without mandatory AI overlays, putting the focus purely on your writing.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free desktop application for Windows 11.
2. Install and Open: Run the installer and open WPS Writer, the dedicated word processing tool.
3. Edit Your Documents: Open your existing .docx files directly and enjoy a fast, bloat-free word processing environment.

Completely free and lightweight Office suiteNo intrusive AI overlays or forced cloud experiencesSeamless compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFamiliar ribbon interface for zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Copilot showing up in Office 2021?

Perpetual licenses like Office Home and Student 2021 do not natively include Copilot. It typically appears if you are signed in with an account that has a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, or if a Microsoft 365 trial was installed alongside your Office 2021 suite.

Can I permanently uninstall Copilot from Word?

Microsoft integrates Copilot deeply into the Microsoft 365 architecture. While you can disable connected experiences to hide it, a standard 'uninstall' button for Copilot alone does not exist in standard user settings.

Will disabling connected experiences affect other Word features?

Yes, turning off optional connected experiences will also disable other cloud-based features such as online templates, dictation, and the Editor feature.

Microsoft Copilot Issues