How do I disable the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Host [etc]" feature?

Anonymous
2023-02-09T16:34:50+00:00

We have started getting complaints from our customers over this "feature" as it appears to be quite the resource hog, and of course they are blaming our add-ins.

Killing the ai.exe process appears to have no ill effect on the usability of Office programs such as Word, Outlook or Excel.

So I need to know how we can disable it. I'd prefer to give an instruction to our users on how they can switch off a feature they do not want, they feel they do not need, and that causes their old PCs to start sounding like a Harrier Jet taking off.

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer recommended by moderator
Anonymous
2024-02-07T21:10:13+00:00

This seems to work. There are all sorts of solutions put out there that involve things like editing the Registry. Here's a much easier fix that seems to have worked for me (and this is from The Geek Page https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-disable-the-artificial-intelligence-ai-host-feature/).

First, the obvious: delete the AI executables from the OFFICE folder:
ai.exe

ai.exe
aitrx.dll

Second - this is incredibly easy. Deleting the executables does not completely work because Office automatically updates itself with new copies of those files.

Since the AI Host runs when you use an Office app:
Disable the Office app updates.

To do this, open any Office application, like Word.

– Click the “File” menu and then the “Account” menu item - this may be under the "More..." menu item, in which case click "More..." and then click "Account"

– There, click on “Update Options”, which brings up a popup menu - on the popup menu, set that to “Disable Updates” to disable Office updates for all Office apps

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

240 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-06-20T02:23:55+00:00

    This is the first solution I came up with to just turn the thing off and delete is, a task that runs every hour, 24 hours a day. I repeat this because updates will reinstall it. It runs in the background, it probably takes a second to run. It runs on a schedule, hands off - you don['t have to interact and you won't see any pop-ups or boxes come and go on the screen... you won't know its even running. You have to create a batch file (,bat), then a task and in the task schedule for what frequency you wish to run it. To see if AI is running, open and Office 365 app, Outlook is the one I use a lot, then open Task Manager and click on "Details" and you will see it running. Run the batch file and it will be gone. This task kills the ai.exe task then deleted its files in two locations. These are found in the 32 and 64 bit program files folders.

    Create the batch file, call it "xxxxx.bat" xxxx= your choice. in the batch file put these lines:

    For 32bit install of Office

    # Kill AI

    taskkill /IM ai.exe /F 

    # Remove AI

    cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"

    Del ai.exe

    Del ai.dll

    Del aimgr.exe

    Del aitrx.dll

    cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"

    Del ai.exe

    Del ai.dll

    Del aimgr.exe

    Del aitrx.dll

    For 64bit install of Office:

    # Kill AI

    taskkill /IM ai.exe /F 

    # Remove AI

    cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"

    Del ai.exe

    Del ai.dll

    Del aimgr.exe

    Del aitrx.dll

    cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"

    Del ai.exe

    Del ai.dll

    Del aimgr.exe

    Del aitrx.dll

    In task scheduler - make sure you set it to run with the highest privileges, and whether user is logged in or not.

    Lets start with that - see if it works for you. Let me know if you run into trouble.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-20T00:39:29+00:00

    There are two ways to shut down at.exe that I and another contributor figured out. Throughout this entire posing, I came in on page one, if you look at my posts - you will find the two. Also you will see the other contributor's findings. When I get time, soon, I will put them both together and answer your requests as well. For now, a little reading - you will find them.

    - alpenit

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-20T00:39:16+00:00

    There are two ways to shut down at.exe that I and another contributor figured out. Throughout this entire posing, I came in on page one, if you look at my posts - you will find the two. Also you will see the other contributor's findings. When I get time, soon, I will put them both together and answer your requests as well. For now, a little reading - you will find them.

    - alpenit

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-19T15:49:59+00:00

    I want the AI turned off. It is annoying. I tried in settings but that didn't work. Please give instructions for how to do it

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments