New Outlook Update: Copilot panel forces itself open on startup and ignores disabled settings toggles

Question

Following a mandatory update to the New Outlook desktop application, the Copilot pane now opens automatically on the right-hand side of the screen every time I launch Outlook or maximise the window.

I have already gone to Settings > Personalisation and toggled Copilot to “Off”. I have also adjusted the account visibility settings to hide Copilot. However, the pane continues to open automatically despite these settings.

I am using a corporate device and cannot revert to Classic/Legacy Outlook.

Is there a registry setting, Microsoft 365 policy, administrative setting or other workaround that can permanently prevent the Copilot pane from opening automatically?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Dear Deniah Mthembu,

To better understand the behavior you are experiencing, could you please provide a screenshot showing how the Copilot panel automatically appears on the right-hand side of the screen when you launch New Outlook or maximize the Outlook window?

Additionally, please provide the current New Outlook version/build installed on your device.

In my test environment, Copilot remains available as an option at the top of New Outlook and the Copilot panel does not automatically open when Outlook is launched.

If you do not want Copilot to be displayed, please check the following setting: Settings > Copilot > Preferences > Turn on Copilot

Turn "Turn on Copilot off", then restart New Outlook and check whether the behavior persists.

I also understand that you mentioned going to Settings > Personalisation and toggling Copilot to Off. Could you please provide a screenshot of this setting as well? I am currently unable to locate the same Copilot option under Settings > Personalisation in my New Outlook environment, so I would like to confirm exactly which setting you are seeing.

Thank you very much for your valuable time and your cooperation. Looking forward to your response.