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.

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Arlene D 36,210 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 25 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 349K 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 437.5K 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.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Answer recommended by moderator

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.5K

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 25 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.
Warren Brown 0 Reputation points

2026-01-22T05:24:36.74+00:00

Hi Bob, Avril.Bob, you quote Word v 16.103.1but my version displays v 16.83 which is obviously different to what you see. Is this because my subscription is Microsoft 365 for Mac ?

Cheers
Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2026-01-22T05:56:08.3333333+00:00

Hi, Warren! Clicking on information about my Word for Mac version now shows Version 16.105.1 (after automatic updates). Mac version Tahoe 26.2. No unwanted Copilot now. Have you updated both? If. not, changing your Privacy Preferences in Word would help. Cheers!
Stefan Blom 349K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-22T14:57:50.5666667+00:00

Warren, you need to update your installation. Note that this thread is old and also has Accepted Answers, so you should start your own thread if you need further assistance. Use the Ask a question link at the top of the page. Good luck.

5 additional answers

Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2025-11-13T10:59:18.2766667+00:00

I have the same problem. Unable to disable Copilot in my Word documents. Even creating a new document has the Copilot enabled as default not. It is already enabled in Authoring and Proofing tools and cannot be turned off. Using Microsoft 365 for Mac and iMac Tahoe 26.1 version. Tried everything. Extremely annoying.
Was this answer helpful?

8 people found this answer helpful.
Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2025-11-13T18:31:56.4866667+00:00

I am using Microsoft Office 365 version 16.103 and did not have the problem before I updated to MacOS version Tahoe 26.1. I wonder whether it is because Word has not yet been updated to work with Tahoe. Have you recently updated to Tahoe?

Another anomaly is that the document icons have changed and now look like a page with a small W label and a tick sign in front. But that's another question altogether. Bizarre.

Richard Metzler 0 Reputation points

2026-01-17T22:07:29.0433333+00:00

I have the same problem. There has to be an answer. Why would MS put Copilot out knowing there is such a huge flaw?

Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2026-01-18T06:52:16.59+00:00

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'. So I guess the answer is to disable OneDrive and SharePoint.

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.5K Reputation points

2026-01-22T14:53:27.77+00:00

@Richard Metzler

@Nik John

Please don't interject into existing threads, especially ones that are not current. For one of several reasons it may never be seen. Additionally, hijacked threads are difficult to follow — they become a tangled rat's nest which leads to confusion & misunderstanding.

If you believe your issue is the same just click the

in the original posting then follow the suggestions offered. If they don't work for you it indicates that your issue differs in some way. In that case, post a new message stating all relevant particulars including Mac Office & macOS Version Numbers. In that way your concern can receive the attention it merits.

Submitting Answers or Comments in existing threads should be reserved for offering suggestions/solutions to the originator.

Thanks for your understanding & cooperation.
Blake W 0 Reputation points

2025-11-16T18:49:36.27+00:00

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!
Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
Stefan Blom 349K 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 .
Nik John 5 Reputation points

2025-11-13T10:27:06.35+00:00

I have this problem with a one-off license: Office LTSC Standard for Mac 2024
Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
Stefan Blom 349K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-13T19:23:28.0033333+00:00

@Nik John

LTSC licenses require volume licensing. Note that if you purchased that version thinking it was a consumer or home use license, you have been scammed. LTSC is for (large) organizations. You should ask the seller for your money back.