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How to Disable AI Features and Change Microsoft 365 Plans
Question details
The user wants a straightforward subscription plan without unwanted AI integrations and is seeking ways to disable AI features or find simpler productivity alternatives.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to downgrade a subscription plan or turn off integrated AI features due to privacy concerns and preference for a standard, non-automated experience.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 bundles AI features directly into its subscriptions, making them difficult to remove entirely, and support systems often direct users to automated responses rather than simpler legacy plans.
Before making any changes to your subscription tier or modifying application privacy settings, ensure all your important documents and emails are backed up locally.
Disable Connected Experiences and AI Features in Microsoft Apps
Use the built-in privacy settings within Microsoft 365 applications to restrict data analysis and turn off optional AI-driven features like Copilot.
While you cannot completely uninstall the AI framework from Microsoft 365, you can disable the features that analyze your content or connect to online services. This provides a cleaner interface and enhances privacy.
Launch any Microsoft 365 application (such as Word or Excel). Go to File, select Account (or Office Account), and click on Manage Settings under the Account Privacy section.
Scroll down the privacy window to find 'Connected Experiences'. Uncheck the boxes for experiences that analyze your content and experiences that download online services.
Click OK to save your changes. Restart all open Microsoft 365 applications for the new privacy settings and AI feature restrictions to take effect.
Contact Microsoft Billing for Legacy or Basic Plans
Bypass automated support to speak directly with a representative about downgrading to a straightforward plan without bundled AI.
Switch to WPS Office for a Straightforward, Distraction-Free Experience
If you are tired of unwanted AI integrations and complicated Microsoft 365 subscription tiers, WPS Office offers a reliable, lightweight, and completely free alternative. Maintain full control over your documents without forced cloud processing.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer. The lightweight setup takes only a few moments to complete.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft documents with perfect formatting and no required subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely uninstall Copilot from Microsoft 365?
No, the underlying framework for Copilot and AI is integrated into the core Microsoft 365 software updates and cannot be uninstalled as a standalone program. However, you can hide it and disable its access by turning off 'Connected Experiences' in your privacy settings.
Are there any Microsoft Office versions without AI features?
Yes. One-time purchase versions, such as Office 2019 or Office 2021, do not receive continuous feature updates and therefore do not include the dynamic AI and Copilot features found in the Microsoft 365 subscription model.
Will disabling connected experiences affect other Microsoft 365 features?
Yes. Disabling connected experiences will successfully turn off AI-driven content analysis, but it will also prevent you from using other cloud-based tools like online templates, dictation, translation, and real-time document co-authoring.
Why does Microsoft Support keep routing me to automated systems?
Microsoft relies heavily on automated self-service portals to handle high volumes of support requests. To reach a human for specific plan changes, you typically need to select 'Billing and Account' issues and repeatedly request to speak to an agent.
