Summary
This article has instructions for how to turn Microsoft Copilot off or on in Outlook and in the Windows or MacOS desktop versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on personal devices.
As part of the USNH Microsoft environment, Copilot is turned on as a global setting. Outlook is the one app where you can control Copilot manually on a USNH managed device.
On a personal Windows or MacOS computer you may be able to turn Copilot on or off in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint following the steps below. Note: You can’t turn off Copilot in the iOS, Android, or web versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Please see this Microsoft support article for full details and instructions on how to Turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps .
How-To
Task: Turn Copilot Off or On in Microsoft Outlook
This is available on both personal and USNH managed devices.
Instructions
Step 1 - Log into Outlook on the Web at https://outlook.office.com
Step 2 - Open Outlook Settings using the gear icon up near your person icon.
Step 3 - Choose the "Copilot" tab on the left
Step 4 - Set the toggle for "Turn on Copilot" either Off (gray) or On (colored) depending on which you want.
Step 5 - If you changed the toggle, click "Save" at the bottom of the settings to keep your change.
Step 6 - Close the Settings.
Outcome
You can turn Copilot on or off as you prefer. This setting will apply across all versions of Outlook where you are logged in with the same Microsoft account. Exception: Turning Copilot on or off is not available in classic Outlook on Windows.
See this Microsoft support article for full details and instructions on how to Use the “Turn on Copilot” toggle to turn off Copilot in Outlook .
Task: Turn Copilot Off or On in the Windows or MacOS desktop versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
This may be available on personal Windows or MacOS computers. It is not available on USNH managed computers.
Note: You can’t turn off Copilot in the iOS, Android, or web versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Instructions
Windows
Step 1 - In your app (for example, Excel), go to File > Options > Copilot
Step 2 - Uncheck the Enable Copilot checkbox to turn it off or check the box to turn it on.
Step 3 - Click OK
Step 4 - Close and restart the app.
MacOS
Step 1 - In your app (for example, Word), select the app menu, and then go to Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot
Step 2 - Uncheck the Enable Copilot checkbox to turn it off or check the box to turn it on.
Step 3 - Close and restart the app.
Outcome
You can turn Copilot on or off as you prefer in the Windows or MacOS desktop versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Note: There is a separate Enable Copilot checkbox in each app and the checkbox only applies to that app on that device.
Further Readings
Turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps
Need additional help?
For assistance concerning site creation, content sharing, file synchronization, or other common SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, or Office app activities, we recommend our Microsoft 365 Learning sites:
Learn more about the great tools our Microsoft 365 Learning sites offer!
Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.