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How do I disable the automatic comment icon that appears everytime I select text?

Graham 65 Reputation points
2026-02-04T04:51:13.7166667+00:00

I'm using Word 16.105.3 for Mac through Microsoft Office 365 Classic. For some bizarre reason, Microsoft thought it wise to have the comment icon appear EVERY TIME you select text. It's exceptionally distracting and completely useless. Is there anyway to disable this function or revert to an earlier version, i.e. 16.105.2 to eliminate this pointless update?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | MacOS
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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 434.6K Reputation points
    2026-02-04T19:24:06.4633333+00:00

    @DBA

    Use Help> Feedback in the Word menu bar. Feedback goes directly to the respective development group. That is the best method for submitting comments, complaints, feature requests, etc. You also can use this link: Word · Feedback You won't get a personal reply but Feedback is evaluated by those who do have the ability to address such issues. Volume of Feedback often produces results.

    Adding Comments or Answers here accomplishes nothing but lengthening the thread 🙂. This is a peer-to-peer support forum hosted but not monitored by Microsoft for anything other than Code of Conduct compliance. However, if enough users click the I have the same question link at the bottom right of the original message I believe the forum moderators may forward the responses.

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 434.6K Reputation points
    2026-02-05T15:01:44.0733333+00:00

    I encourage anyone concerned about this issue to use this link & upvote any postings which pertain to it on Windows or Mac: Word · Feedback Use the ⇧ in the upper left corner of each message.

    There are more than a dozen but I found that as of 2/4/26 only one had been upvotes — and it had received only one vote. Complaining here accomplishes nothing but lengthening the thread. For anyone for whom the matter is something serious that is the place to go.

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  2. Graham 65 Reputation points
    2026-02-04T15:01:39.13+00:00

    Than you for the input. I’d prefer not to turn off modern comments. Microsoft needs to allow users to disable the comment icon function. I think I’ll uninstall Microsoft Word and install the earlier version.

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  3. Arlene D 36,020 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-04T07:34:30.6633333+00:00

    Hello, thanks for reaching out.

    Do you see the Enable modern comments option turned on in Word settings?

    This icon comes from Modern Comments in current Microsoft 365 for Mac. No setting exists to hide only the floating comment button.

    Try switching off Modern Comments to return to classic comments. Open Word, choose Word on the top menu, select Settings, open General, clear Enable modern comments, then restart Word.

    Microsoft does not support going back to version 16.105.2 under a Microsoft 365 subscription. Updates stay on the current build.

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