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How to disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 for an organization?

Aman Bereket 0 Reputation points
2026-05-21T13:39:16.2466667+00:00

I have a Microsoft 365 Business subscription on Windows and I want to disable Copilot across all Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) for my organization.

Here is what I have already tried:

  1. File -> Options -> Copilot, but this option does not exist in my Office apps
  2. File -> Account -> Account Privacy -> unchecked "Turn on optional connected experiences", but Copilot still works
  3. Uninstalled the standalone Copilot app, but Copilot still appears inside Office apps
  4. Checked Licenses & Apps in Admin Center, but there is no Copilot license listed, only "Retired commercial data protection for Microsoft Copilot"
  5. Settings -> Integrated Apps, but Copilot is not among the deployed apps. I blocked it anyway, but I can still access Copilot

Copilot is still fully functional in Word, Excel, and other Office apps. Copilot can access my files. I do not want Copilot to access all files I open.

I am the admin of the organization, running Windows. My Office apps are fully updated as of this week (21/May/2026).

Microsoft 365 and Office | Office Online Server
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Aman Bereket 0 Reputation points
2026-05-22T18:15:42.1466667+00:00

Update: Copilot has been disabled in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other Office apps approximately 24 hours after applying the five changes outlined in my original question. I didn't make any additional changes. It looks like the changes take effect after about 24 hours.

It would have been better if Microsoft applied the changes instantly, or at the very least informed users that the changes take effect after about 24 hours.

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  1. Jayden-P 23,245 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-21T14:38:28.84+00:00

    Please note that we're not Microsoft support, this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators have no backend access and cannot directly intervene in Microsoft products. We provide only technical guidance and best-practice recommendations based on reported issues.

    Hi @Aman Bereket

    I understand you want to fully disable Copilot in your tenant.

    Can you please check in Admin Center > Copilot > Settings.

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    Make sure it is set to the screenshot like this.

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    You also mentioned in Integrated apps > there is no Copilot, make sure Copilot is under Blocked apps.

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    You said "Copilot can access my files", can you please describe this clearer such as in which scenario?

    After I complete the above, Copilot no longer shows up in my Office desktop app. The only place Copilot is still accessible is Outlook on the web, however, you can easily turn this off in Settings > Copilot > Turn off the toggle.

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    These settings can take a while to fully take effect. Please try and let me know how it goes.

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