How to Get Rid of Microsoft 365 Copilot
Those of you with plain old Microsoft 365 subscriptions may have noticed that Copilot now pops up in Word and other applications in the suite. How did it get there when you didn’t buy or request Copilot and don’t necessarily want it? Blame it on Microsoft’s usual sleight of hand.
How to Disable Copilot in Word
For your first option, you can disable Copilot from Microsoft Word so it doesn’t show up at all. You can’t yet do that for the other applications in the suite, though Microsoft has promised a disable option for Excel, PowerPoint, and the rest sometime in February.
To disable Copilot in Word, go to File in Word, Excel, or another program, select Account, click the Update Options button, and then select Update Now. Even then, you may need to refresh or close and reopen Microsoft 365 a couple of times before the option appears.
To disable Copilot in Word for Windows, click File, select Options, and then select Copilot from the Word Options window. Simply uncheck the box for "Enable Copilot" and click OK. When you return to Word, the Copilot icons and message will be gone.
To disable Copilot in the Mac version of Word, click the Word menu and select Preferences. Open the Copilot icon in the Preferences window and uncheck the box for "Enable Copilot." Close the Preferences window and return to Word to see that Copilot is now gone.
How to Remove Copilot from Your Microsoft 365 Subscription
For your second option, you may want to manage your Microsoft 365 plan to remove Copilot. The change won’t take effect right away. Instead, Copilot waits until your next renewal period to vanish.
You can change your Microsoft 365 subscription to revert to the classic and less expensive non-Copilot plan. The change won’t actually take effect until your next renewal date. But at least switching your plan now will ensure that you’re not automatically renewed at the higher price.
Go to the Microsoft 365 section under Subscriptions on your Microsoft account page if you’re not already there. Click the dropdown box for Manage Subscription and click the link for Cancel Subscription.
Is Copilot Free to Use in Microsoft 365?
Is Microsoft freely bestowing Copilot on customers out of the goodness of its corporate heart? Not quite. There’s a price hike waiting in the wings for you.
For the privilege of using Copilot, US subscribers to Microsoft 365 Personal will end up paying $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month, up from $69.99 per year or $6.99 per month. Subscribers to Microsoft 365 Family would eventually have to cough up $129.99 per year or $12.99 per month, up from $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month.
Can Anyone Try Copilot in Microsoft 365?
Microsoft’s hocus-pocus doesn’t end here. The Copilot built into Microsoft 365 isn’t available to everyone, nor is it unlimited. A Microsoft 365 Family plan normally allows up to six people to take advantage of the different features. But here, only the owner of the plan gets access to Copilot.
Plus, Microsoft doles out the use of Copilot in Microsoft 365 on a credit basis, granting the owner of the plan up to 60 credits per month. Each use of the AI chews up one credit. Try to use more than 60 in a month, and you’ll be stopped and prompted to upgrade to the unlimited and more expensive Copilot Pro plan.
How to View Your Current Microsoft 365 Subscription
To view your current Microsoft 365 subscription, sign into your Microsoft account website. Click the link at the top for "Manage Microsoft 365 Family" or "Manage Microsoft 365 Personal." The resulting page shows you your renewal date, the price you’d pay at that point, and the number of credits you’ve used so far.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s push to add AI to Office with Copilot has been met with frustration and confusion. While Copilot may have its uses, the way it was rolled out has left many users feeling annoyed and unwantedly upgraded. If you’re among those who want to get rid of Copilot, the methods outlined above can help you disable it or change your subscription plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I disable Copilot in Word?
A: You can disable Copilot in Word by going to File, selecting Options, and then selecting Copilot from the Word Options window. Simply uncheck the box for "Enable Copilot" and click OK.
Q: How do I remove Copilot from my Microsoft 365 subscription?
A: You can change your Microsoft 365 subscription to revert to the classic and less expensive non-Copilot plan. The change won’t actually take effect until your next renewal date.
Q: Is Copilot free to use in Microsoft 365?
A: No, Copilot is not free to use in Microsoft 365. There is a price hike waiting in the wings for those who want to use Copilot.
Q: Can anyone try Copilot in Microsoft 365?
A: No, the Copilot built into Microsoft 365 isn’t available to everyone, nor is it unlimited. A Microsoft 365 Family plan normally allows up to six people to take advantage of the different features. But here, only the owner of the plan gets access to Copilot.
