How to remove new Copilot in-document icon in Microsoft Word?

Question

How to remove new Copilot in-document icon in Microsoft Word?

Anne Marie 40

In the latest update, Microsoft has rolled out a Copilot popup that interferes with my Word interface (Version 16.103 (25110922)). I have disabled Copilot. Copilot remains disabled. I turned Copilot on, restarted Word; turned Copilot back off; the popup remains. How do I remove this icon and its popups from my interface? (Because Copilot is disabled, none of these buttons function if I click on them. I would like the buttons and icon to stop popping up when I scroll through my work.)

Screenshot 2025-11-12 at 3.23.55 PM Thank you.

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Answer 1

Arlene D 23,660 Independent Advisor

Hi there! Thanks for sharing this! Can you confirm if you’re using Microsoft 365 Word or a one-time purchase version like Office 2021?

The new in-document Copilot icon is part of Microsoft 365 and can’t be removed or hidden, even if Copilot is turned off. You can give feedback to Microsoft by going to Help> Feedback> I don’t like something.

Avril Bayer 15 Reputation points

2025-11-13T18:44:06.9966667+00:00

Something really strange just happened. I opened Excel and checked the Copilot icon on the top right and the dropdown message read: 'Copilot only works with files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint'. Clicking on it gives: 'Use Office connected experiences' 'To enable this experience, change your privacy preferences.' That is really frustrating when one does not want to use either OneDrive or SharePoint.
dliu 5 Reputation points

2025-11-13T19:58:47.89+00:00

There is actually no "Help> Feedback> I don’t like something" in the application. Moreover this is truly terrible design to make a Copilot button appear even if Copilot is disabled.
Stefan Blom 324K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-13T20:03:00.3933333+00:00

You should be able to use the feedback command via Help on the main menu bar; see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-365-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11#platform=macos .

Alternatively/also, you can post feedback in the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472 .
Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 430K Reputation points

2025-11-13T20:53:24.26+00:00

@dliu

If Feedback doesn't appear in the Help menu it's probably because Connected Experiences has been disabled in the Privacy Preferences.
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Answer 2

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 430K

Just applied the 16.103.1 update which has removed the Copilot logo which was appearing in the lower right corner of the document window.

I'm using Classic 365 which doesb't include Copilot but perhaps the update will provide relief for other versions as well.

The update is available to those who use the Current Channel (Preview) option but should be released to everyone a bit later this month.

Avril Bayer 15 Reputation points

2025-11-16T13:40:16.33+00:00

Yes. Opened Word, Excel and Powerpoint separately to check, and Copilot does not appear as default in the 16.103.1 update. What a relief! Microsoft must have made some changes as I have not updated my iMac.

Answer 3

Blake W 0

As a writer, I really don't appreciate the intrusion and the fact, or so I think, that before I can turn this AI off it has already read and consumed my personal document. I want privacy!

Stefan Blom 324K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-16T18:52:23.45+00:00

@Blake W, if you have an Office subscription, you can one that does not include Copilot. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/switching-to-microsoft-365-personal-and-family-classic-plans-58342e83-38e7-4cda-b63b-88604a8fb7ef .

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How to remove new Copilot in-document icon in Microsoft Word?

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