Can You Still Disable Copilot in Office Apps?

If this whole situation bothers you a lot, consider installing LTSC2021. Those who really want Copilot365 can always access the web version using Edge.

You're pretty much spot on. Copilot has become a part of the core Office applications and isn't something you can just remove anymore. The old Microsoft docs are outdated, as they reference options that have been taken out in newer versions. Simply disabling 'connected experiences' only restricts cloud processing; it doesn't actually get rid of Copilot or its ribbon button. Right now, there are only two options: you can hide the Copilot button (but it’s just cosmetic) or disable Copilot through tenant or GPO controls in managed settings. Unfortunately, standalone users don’t have a proper 'off' option in the app itself.

I’ve believed this for a while: Microsoft doesn't really care about user feedback and integrates AI regardless. I'm wondering if this will finally frustrate enough business owners to look for different solutions.

Honestly, Microsoft is pushing us to consider alternatives. They keep reactivating OneDrive, which is a security concern, and it’s frustrating. Now with Copilot, it seems like they expect users to upload potentially sensitive data for AI processing. On top of that, they still haven't addressed how to manage multiple Microsoft accounts on one machine without issues, which just adds to the annoyance.

But business owners actually see this as beneficial. The focus is on how quickly they can automate and replace departments with AI. I’ve had so many discussions about replacing jobs, and honestly, it seems easier to talk about replacing some leadership roles with AI! In one instance, I had to explain why AI can’t consistently deliver the same data results like a human analyst can. It definitely adds complexity to the idea of replacing analytics with AI.

It’s clear that Microsoft has made their decision about Copilot. As stated on their website, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app is now integrated with the Office suite, meaning you'll get Copilot whether you like it or not.