In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft appears to be reintroducing its Microsoft 365 Copilot app into its suite of productivity tools, despite earlier indications of a more cautious approach. Users across various versions of Office applications may find that Copilot features are subtly re-emerging, even for those who have not actively opted in.
According to a recent update from Microsoft’s admin portal, the company has confirmed that the Microsoft 365 Copilot app will automatically install on eligible Windows PCs equipped with Microsoft 365 desktop applications. Admins now face the responsibility of opting out if they prefer not to have the app automatically integrated into their organizational devices.
The rollout is scheduled to take place between mid-June and mid-July, with the app’s activation set to occur by default, requiring no user intervention. However, users in the European Economic Area will remain unaffected by these changes, as the region has been exempted from this automatic installation.
Microsoft has stated, “Starting June 2026, we will resume the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to eligible devices with the Microsoft 365 desktop apps.” This move aims to streamline access to Copilot, enabling users to easily discover and utilize productivity-enhancing features.
How is the Microsoft 365 Copilot app getting installed automatically?
Interestingly, Microsoft is not utilizing the Windows Store for the auto-installation of the MS 365 Copilot app. Instead, it relies on the built-in Microsoft 365 Apps updater within Office applications. Users may notice the reappearance of the Copilot button across various Office experiences, including ribbons and sidebars, following recent updates.
This rollout specifically pertains to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, coinciding with Microsoft’s broader initiative to integrate Copilot entry points across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the web version of Microsoft 365. For those who have ventured into the depths of the registry to eliminate Copilot, it may not suffice, as registry modifications are often unreliable for managing Microsoft 365 Copilot, particularly in organizational settings.
Microsoft’s supported controls are now dispersed across various platforms, including the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center, Integrated Apps, Office privacy settings, and per-app toggles. Until a more user-friendly option for permanently removing Copilot is made available, users may need to explore several methods to mitigate the impact of Microsoft’s AI integration.
Remove Copilot from select Office apps
For users who find Copilot mildly intrusive in specific applications, a targeted approach can be taken to disable it on a case-by-case basis:
- Open the desired app and navigate to File > Options > Copilot.
- Uncheck the Enable Copilot box.
- Close and restart the app to apply the changes.
This method is straightforward but must be repeated for each app and device. While it is effective for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, Outlook presents a more complex challenge, requiring users to locate the Copilot toggle in either Quick Settings or Settings > Copilot, depending on the Outlook version in use.
Change your privacy settings to block Copilot in Office apps
- Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings. For Mac users, navigate to Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy.
- Locate Connected Experiences and disable Turn on experiences that analyze your content.
This adjustment should effectively block Copilot features in Office apps, though it also impacts other functionalities, such as suggested replies in Outlook.
Remove Copilot from Office apps’ Ribbon
If manual removal seems cumbersome, users can opt to hide Copilot-related features by modifying the Ribbon menu in any Office app:
Navigate to File > Options > Customize Ribbon and deactivate Copilot.
It is important to note that while this method conceals Copilot features, it does not eliminate the AI itself, meaning users may still encounter Copilot when interacting with text.
Restore Classic Microsoft 365 subscription without Copilot
For personal and family subscriptions, Microsoft has made Classic plans available in select regions, allowing users to revert to a non-Copilot version of Microsoft 365. To check eligibility:
- Visit https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in.
- Navigate to the subscriptions tab and cancel your current plan.
- If a Classic plan without Copilot is available, it will appear during the cancellation or switching process.
This option may not be universally accessible, but it is available in certain regions, such as the United States.
Group Policy Blocking
For managed devices, administrators can utilize Office policy settings to block connected experiences that drive Copilot functionalities:
- Press Win + R on Windows.
- Type gpedit.msc.
- Navigate to the Microsoft Office policy templates, typically found under User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Office 2016 > Privacy > Trust Center.
- Locate Allow the use of connected experiences in Office that analyze content and set it to Disabled.
While this method can restrict Copilot, it does not prevent the app’s installation. To halt the installation entirely, admins must opt out through the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
Nuclear Firewall Block? I would avoid it
Some guides suggest using firewall blocks for Copilot-related domains, but this approach is not recommended due to its potential to disrupt other essential services:
- Open Windows Defender Firewall.
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Create outbound rules only if you are certain of the Microsoft 365 services you are willing to compromise.
Blocking specific domains may inadvertently affect other features tied to online updates and connected experiences within Microsoft 365, making it a risky endeavor.
While Microsoft may express regret for its assertive Copilot strategy, the company is pressing forward with the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible Windows devices. This time, however, administrators are afforded the opportunity to opt out before the app makes its way onto their systems.