Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Cannot Select Individual Connected Experiences in Office

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to select individual connected experiences in Office. Disabling all connected experiences stops OneNote synchronization, but selecting specific options does not save. Additionally, the user wants to remove the Copilot icon.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying Office privacy settings to manage connected experiences and remove the Copilot icon without breaking OneNote synchronization.
Observed behavior: Individual connected experience selections do not stick when enabled. Disabling all connected experiences stops OneNote sync entirely. The Copilot icon remains present on the interface.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft Office subscription is active and check if your PC is managed by a school or organization, as IT administrators often enforce strict Group Policies on privacy settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Office and Review Privacy Settings

Ensuring your Office application is fully updated can resolve bugs where privacy settings do not save correctly.

Microsoft frequently releases patches that address configuration bugs in the Trust Center. Updating your Office suite is the best first step when privacy options fail to apply.

Check for Office Updates

Open any Office application such as Word or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Account' from the bottom left menu. Under 'Product Information', click on 'Update Options' and choose 'Update Now'.

Access Trust Center Privacy Options

Once the update is complete, go back to 'File' > 'Options'. In the Options window, click on 'Trust Center' on the left sidebar, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.

Reconfigure Connected Experiences

Navigate to 'Privacy Options' and click on 'Privacy Settings'. Scroll down to the Connected Experiences section and attempt to check the boxes for the individual experiences you wish to enable, then click 'OK' to save.

Account Policy Restrictions: If the options are greyed out or still revert after saving, your Microsoft account configuration or organizational Group Policy may be overriding your local settings.

Solution 2

Report the Issue via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

If the individual options still do not save, it may be an expected behavior or a bug related to your specific Office version and account configuration.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Experience

If Microsoft Office's connected experiences and mandatory Copilot integrations are causing synchronization issues or unwanted clutter, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative without forced cloud connections.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software.
3. Open and Edit Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about complex connected experience settings.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsClean user interface without forced AI icons or complex privacy togglesSeamless local and cloud file management without mandatory sync restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does disabling connected experiences stop OneNote sync?

Microsoft relies on connected experiences to sync data across its cloud services. Disabling them completely severs the application's connection to OneDrive and SharePoint, which stops OneNote from synchronizing your notebooks.

How can I remove the Copilot icon from Microsoft Office?

Copilot availability is tied to your Office 365 subscription and account policies. Depending on your update channel, you may not be able to remove it completely. You can check 'File' > 'Options' > 'Customize Ribbon' to see if the Copilot button can be unpinned.

Why won't my privacy settings save in MS Office?

This can happen if your account is managed by a school or employer that enforces strict Group Policies, or due to a temporary bug in the current Office build. Updating the software or contacting your IT administrator is recommended.

Do I have to use connected experiences to use Office?

No, you can use core Office applications like Word and Excel offline without connected experiences. However, you will lose access to cloud-based features like real-time co-authoring, cloud fonts, and OneNote cloud synchronization.

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