Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove New Title Bar Buttons in Microsoft Word

Nimra Malik Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking for a way to remove or hide the newly added buttons for comments, viewing/reviewing status, and sharing that appear on the Microsoft Word title bar.

How to Remove New Title Bar Buttons in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the Microsoft Word workspace to remove unwanted interface elements and reclaim space on the title bar.
Observed behavior: Recent versions of Microsoft Word display mandatory buttons for comments, document status, and sharing on the title bar with no native settings to disable or hide them.

Before you start

Check your Microsoft Office version, as the layout of the title bar and available customization settings depend heavily on whether you are using Microsoft 365 or a standalone version like Office 2021.

Solution 1Recommended

Workaround: Move the Quick Access Toolbar

Since the title bar buttons cannot be hidden, you can free up valuable space at the top of your screen by moving the Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon.

Microsoft currently does not provide a supported option to individually remove the sharing, comments, or status buttons from the title bar. To alleviate the clutter, repositioning your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is the most effective immediate workaround.

Locate the Quick Access Toolbar

Open Microsoft Word and look at the top-left corner of the window to find the Quick Access Toolbar, which contains your save, undo, and redo shortcuts.

Open the Customize Menu

Click the small drop-down arrow located at the right end of the Quick Access Toolbar.

Change Toolbar Position

Select 'Show Below the Ribbon' from the drop-down menu. Your toolbar will move downward, freeing up space on the main title bar.

Workaround: Move the Quick Access Toolbar

Interface Limitations: Moving the Quick Access Toolbar does not delete the new title bar buttons, but it prevents your personalized shortcuts from competing for space with Microsoft's mandatory collaboration tools.

Solution 2

Submit Feedback to Microsoft

Send a feature request directly to Microsoft developers so they might consider adding an option to toggle these buttons in future updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Cleaner Interface with WPS Office

If a cluttered title bar and mandatory collaboration buttons in Microsoft Word disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a clean, streamlined, and familiar interface without forcing unwanted buttons into your workspace, making document creation a breeze.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open WPS Writer, the dedicated word processing module.
3. Edit Your Documents: Open your existing Word documents and enjoy a clean, customizable workspace without unremovable interface clutter.

Clean, distraction-free user interface without mandatory title bar buttonsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatsLightweight application that loads fast and runs smoothly on older devicesFree to use with a familiar ribbon layout and no steep learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Windows Registry tweak to hide the Word title bar buttons?

No. Currently, there are no reliable or officially supported Windows Registry edits to hide the new comments, sharing, or viewing status buttons in the Microsoft Word title bar, as these are hardcoded into recent Office updates.

Why did Microsoft add these unremovable buttons to the title bar?

Microsoft integrated these buttons to emphasize collaboration, co-authoring, and cloud-based sharing features, making them constantly accessible for Microsoft 365 users working on OneDrive or SharePoint.

Will rolling back to an older version of Office remove the buttons?

Yes, reverting to an older build of Microsoft Office released prior to the user interface update will remove the buttons. However, this is generally not recommended as it prevents you from receiving important security patches and bug fixes.

Is it possible to hide the 'Share' button by customizing the ribbon?

While you can customize standard ribbon tabs and remove sharing commands from there, the dedicated Share button placed on the uppermost title bar is separate from the ribbon customization settings and cannot be hidden.

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