How to remove new Copilot in-document icon in Microsoft Word?

Anne Marie 40

In the latest update, Microsoft has rolled out a Copilot popup that interferes with my Word interface (Version 16.103 (25110922)). I have disabled Copilot. Copilot remains disabled. I turned Copilot on, restarted Word; turned Copilot back off; the popup remains. How do I remove this icon and its popups from my interface? (Because Copilot is disabled, none of these buttons function if I click on them. I would like the buttons and icon to stop popping up when I scroll through my work.)

Screenshot 2025-11-12 at 3.23.55 PM Thank you.

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Answer accepted by question author

Arlene D 36,270 Independent Advisor

Hi there! Thanks for sharing this! Can you confirm if you’re using Microsoft 365 Word or a one-time purchase version like Office 2021?

The new in-document Copilot icon is part of Microsoft 365 and can’t be removed or hidden, even if Copilot is turned off. You can give feedback to Microsoft by going to Help> Feedback> I don’t like something.

Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2025-11-13T18:44:06.9966667+00:00

Something really strange just happened. I opened Excel and checked the Copilot icon on the top right and the dropdown message read: 'Copilot only works with files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint'. Clicking on it gives: 'Use Office connected experiences' 'To enable this experience, change your privacy preferences.' That is really frustrating when one does not want to use either OneDrive or SharePoint.
dliu 5 Reputation points

2025-11-13T19:58:47.89+00:00

There is actually no "Help> Feedback> I don’t like something" in the application. Moreover this is truly terrible design to make a Copilot button appear even if Copilot is disabled.
Stefan Blom 354.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-13T20:03:00.3933333+00:00

You should be able to use the feedback command via Help on the main menu bar; see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-365-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11#platform=macos .

Alternatively/also, you can post feedback in the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472 .
Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 438K Reputation points

2025-11-13T20:53:24.26+00:00

@dliu

If Feedback doesn't appear in the Help menu it's probably because Connected Experiences has been disabled in the Privacy Preferences.
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Answer recommended by moderator

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 438K

Just applied the 16.103.1 update which has removed the Copilot logo which was appearing in the lower right corner of the document window.

I'm using Classic 365 which doesb't include Copilot but perhaps the update will provide relief for other versions as well.

The update is available to those who use the Current Channel (Preview) option but should be released to everyone a bit later this month.

Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2025-11-16T13:40:16.33+00:00

Yes. Opened Word, Excel and Powerpoint separately to check, and Copilot does not appear as default in the 16.103.1 update. What a relief! Microsoft must have made some changes as I have not updated my iMac.
Warren Brown 0 Reputation points

2026-01-22T05:24:36.74+00:00

Hi Bob, Avril.Bob, you quote Word v 16.103.1but my version displays v 16.83 which is obviously different to what you see. Is this because my subscription is Microsoft 365 for Mac ?

Cheers
Avril Bayer 25 Reputation points

2026-01-22T05:56:08.3333333+00:00

Hi, Warren! Clicking on information about my Word for Mac version now shows Version 16.105.1 (after automatic updates). Mac version Tahoe 26.2. No unwanted Copilot now. Have you updated both? If. not, changing your Privacy Preferences in Word would help. Cheers!
Stefan Blom 354.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-22T14:57:50.5666667+00:00

Warren, you need to update your installation. Note that this thread is old and also has Accepted Answers, so you should start your own thread if you need further assistance. Use the Ask a question link at the top of the page. Good luck.

5 additional answers

Anonymous

2025-11-13T16:06:26.6366667+00:00

I have the same problem with one-time purchase version of Office 2024 for Mac, Home&Business, version 16.103 (25110922).
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Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 438K Reputation points

2025-11-13T16:24:14.5033333+00:00

Then follow the same suggestion provided by Arlene-D to the OP.

I appreciate the aggravation but posting a me too here accomplishes nothing. This is a software design issue which cannot be resolved by anyone here. It needs to be addressed at the developer level.

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Charles Kenyon 171.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-16T18:20:37.8666667+00:00

This is a user to user support forum. We can't change anything about Word.

To get the attention of those who can, use the feedback mechanisms.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/giving-feedback-on-microsoft-word-or-other/8df81a9b-84aa-46ef-bf88-24fb7fec96ba

Warren Brown 0 Reputation points

2026-01-22T05:30:19.3866667+00:00

As an Apple used, at least I can phone Apple and get instant tech advice. I appreciate the quick response from you MS users, maybe MS will "look into it" ?
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