Re: Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic
Posting to the wind is never really such a bad thing.? At least no one can say it wasn’t posted or mentioned.? If they choose not to read it, or don’t understand it, then either
it is their fault or clarification is in order. I know I’m going on a tangent here, so will stop. We have a diversity of persons on every group, some don’t listen, or the messenger just doesn’t communicate properly. An example is, when I was at a guide dog
school sans guide dog, one of the exercises was asking someone sighted where a certain store was in a mall.? I was not allowed to ask for physical help.? The trainer was shocked on how many people just pointed.? ???
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: January 23, 2025 8:26 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic
?
The reason I post these messages is in a direct attempt to head off the deluge, but since it seems that most often people don't read (or read and don't save or forget) them.
David Goldfield monitors my output on several different lists so I seldom need to send these to him directly.? He has not chosen to post this message content nor the one about getting rid of the Copilot prompt in Word, but I have to believe
he has already seen both.
I've been "papering" these two links "far and wide" (both of which go to my root message in these topics) because I see what's coming, and I don't want to have to keep repeating myself.? I sometimes feel like I'm posting to "the wind":
Brian?
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♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
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Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Brian,
?
Yes, all set here. The reason it was asking me to log in is because on the Microsoft account page I had chosen not to stay logged in. All is ok now, thanks again for the excellent directions.
?
Alan
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
Alan, I'm not entirely sure.? But since you're effectively changing the license by cancelling and re-upping with something else . . .
As I said, I'm sticking with the directions that Microsoft has given because they're simple and, now, proven, since a number of people have reported success in following them.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
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?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
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Re: Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic
Leo,
?
The reason I post these messages is in a direct attempt to head off the deluge, but since it seems that most often people don't read (or read and don't save or forget) them.
?
David Goldfield monitors my output on several different lists so I seldom need to send these to him directly.? He has not chosen to post this message content nor the one about getting rid of the Copilot prompt in Word, but I have to believe he has already seen both.
?
I've been "papering" these two links "far and wide" (both of which go to my root message in these topics) because I see what's coming, and I don't want to have to keep repeating myself.? I sometimes feel like I'm posting to "the wind":
?
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic
Hopefully, these instructions will be red by bunches of people. I can see in the following days and weeks people popping in and asking over and over again the same questions on how to downgrade, not only in this list but different mailing lists ?as it is happening right now. ? Brian, did you send these instructions to the tech announcements lists run by David Goldfield? ? Cheers, Leo Bado. ? "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master." Pravin Lal. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 2:36 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [M365-Accessibility] Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic? I realize that the partial screenshot I am going to place in this post will not be directly helpful to many, but for those of you that do have sighted assistants around, it will show them precisely what they should be looking for.? I'll also give a brief description of the identifying text for screen reader users. First, go straight to the cancel page for M365 for your account: ?? If you're logged in to your Windows account and it's MS Account linked, this should take you straight there without having to do any of the steps from within MS-Word or another Office Suite program to get there. Here is what you should see, literally, if you scroll down the page a bit, it is not at the top: There is a section that is labeled:? Choose a plan that's right for you. Immediately beneath that are two boxes, both of which have bright yellow strips beneath the following respective text: - Current Subscription without AI The first will show the new "default" form of M365 Family or Personal (depending on your current subscription) with the price increase related to keeping integrated Copilot after the trial period ends at your next renewal date.? In the USA that's $30/year more than an existing subscription price. In my case, since I'm the primary subscriber for M365 Family, immediately below is: Microsoft 365 Family, $129.99/year. The second option, without AI, will show the price you're currently paying, as "Classic."? In my case, immediately below is:? Microsoft 365 Family Classic, $99.99/year.? Then, after the list of services that go with the non-AI version, is a Switch Plan button which, if activated, would keep me on the Classic level when my renewal date arrives, leaving my current services unchanged. There is a third box, with no yellow banner, that reads Microsoft 365 Personal, $99.99/year, that is about the "with AI" version of M365 Personal.? If you are a M365 Personal subscriber already, this box may either be entirely absent or might be replaced with one for M365 Basic.? I just can't say. Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0) It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. ?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
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Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Alan, I'm not entirely sure.? But since you're effectively changing the license by cancelling and re-upping with something else . . .
?
As I said, I'm sticking with the directions that Microsoft has given because they're simple and, now, proven, since a number of people have reported success in following them.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Brian,
?
What does the switch license or update license choices you mention below mean and why would one use them instead? Just curious.
?
Thanks,
Alan
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2025 11:50 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
On Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 11:43 AM, Leo Bado wrote:
I suggest going to file, accounts, and update your license on this screen..
I agree, and had given the steps to do exactly that: ??Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button)?
One could, of course, use Alt + F, D, Y 4? (Switch License) or Y 5 (Update License) but both involve additional login steps avoided by using the Manage Account
button per Microsoft's own instructions, which I stuck with.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
I see Copilot in the New Outlook. It's in the Messages group, and it's after Pictures, Emojis, and Tables and before Apps. I'm not sure if that helps or not.
?
--
Christopher (AKA CJ) =>÷
Chaltain at Outlook, USA
?
Sent:?Wednesday, January 22, 2025 1:17 PM
To:[email protected] < [email protected]>
Subject:?Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
David,
?
In regard to Outlook, I presume you mean Outlook Classic.? I've not had it show up in Outlook Classic or New Outlook for me, yet, or else the presentation is quite different as far as what happens in the respective ribbons.
--
Brian?
·
♂??·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Downgrading to M365 Personal or Family Classic
I realize that the partial screenshot I am going to place in this post will not be directly helpful to many, but for those of you that do have sighted assistants around, it will show them precisely what they should be looking for.? I'll also give a brief description of the identifying text for screen reader users.
?
First, go straight to the cancel page for M365 for your account: ??
If you're logged in to your Windows account and it's MS Account linked, this should take you straight there without having to do any of the steps from within MS-Word or another Office Suite program to get there.
?
Here is what you should see, literally, if you scroll down the page a bit, it is not at the top:
?
There is a section that is labeled:? Choose a plan that's right for you.
?
Immediately beneath that are two boxes, both of which have bright yellow strips beneath the following respective text:
- Current Subscription
- Current Subscription without AI
?
The first will show the new "default" form of M365 Family or Personal (depending on your current subscription) with the price increase related to keeping integrated Copilot after the trial period ends at your next renewal date.? In the USA that's $30/year more than an existing subscription price. In my case, since I'm the primary subscriber for M365 Family, immediately below is: Microsoft 365 Family, $129.99/year.
?
The second option, without AI, will show the price you're currently paying, as "Classic."? In my case, immediately below is:? Microsoft 365 Family Classic, $99.99/year.? Then, after the list of services that go with the non-AI version, is a Switch Plan button which, if activated, would keep me on the Classic level when my renewal date arrives, leaving my current services unchanged.
?
There is a third box, with no yellow banner, that reads Microsoft 365 Personal, $99.99/year, that is about the "with AI" version of M365 Personal.? If you are a M365 Personal subscriber already, this box may either be entirely absent or might be replaced with one for M365 Basic.? I just can't say.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
BTW, I strongly encourage only the use of the Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3, technique.
?
This generally prevents any request for login if you are using a Microsoft Account linked Windows user account, as the information is fetched from it and supplied automatically for login.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 02:55 PM, Alan Robbins wrote:
When I do this , it want me to sign in.
-
Well, then sign in.? M365 is connected to your Microsoft Account.? You can't have M365 without a Microsoft Account.
?
My guess is that you've chosen to use a local Windows user account, which means that the typical "keep alive" login for your Microsoft Account does not occur.
?
If you're using a Microsoft Account linked Windows user account, if it's prompting you to log in, then you just complete the login process, typically by giving your password if you don't have MFA enabled, or giving your password, then also providing the code if MFA is enabled.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
When I do this , it want me to sign in. Not sure how this updates ones license?
Alan
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2025 11:50 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
On Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 11:43 AM, Leo Bado wrote:
I suggest going to file, accounts, and update your license on this screen..
I agree, and had given the steps to do exactly that: ??Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button)?
One could, of course, use Alt + F, D, Y 4? (Switch License) or Y 5 (Update License) but both involve additional login steps avoided by using the Manage Account
button per Microsoft's own instructions, which I stuck with.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
I live in Canada and I’ve made the switch on both my laptop and my parents’ computer
without any problems.
?
From:
[email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: January 22, 2025 1:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
Now that we have two Canadians reporting this option does not exist, and in your case with sighted spouse verification, then it may be a country-related thing.
The downgrade is not noted as a downgrade, per se, but the noted Switch Plan button exists in the US for the Classic and Basic subscription plans.? Classic is what all
Personal and Family users have been accustomed to pre-Copilot-integration and Basic is the version where you only have access to the Office web apps, no desktop apps.
I have to imagine, much like the checkbox for Enable Copilot has only reached Word so far, but is slated to reach the other Office desktop apps, the downgrade option will
have to become available so that those who want the non-AI version of M365 they're used to can choose to keep it at the next renewal date.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia,
USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build
26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
??????
~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Brian, I should have specified. Yes, in my case, I’m using Outlook Classic and Copilot is available to me in that application.
?
?
David Goldfield,
Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist
?
?
Director of Marketing,
Blazie Technologies
?
Am Yisrael Chai
The Nation of Israel Lives!
?
Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive blindness technology news, events and information.
Email: [email protected]
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
In regard to Outlook, I presume you mean Outlook Classic.? I've not had it show up in Outlook Classic or New Outlook for me, yet, or else the presentation is quite different as far as what happens in the respective ribbons.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 02:17 PM, Muhammed 3198Denix wrote:
you'd probably have to wait for several months up to a year for the downgrade and copilot features.
-
The "several months" rollout period is a virtual certainty.? It can't take a whole year, in this case, if it's being offered in a given country simply because the increase in cost is set to occur at the next M365 renewal date, and that's on an annual cycle for those who are not monthly subscribers.? I doubt that monthly subscribers will get hit with any changes until next January, one year after the "introductory free trial" of integrated Copilot began.
?
If someone happens to be a monthly subscriber, they'll have to let us know what transpires.? I am an annual subscriber.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Since this announcement is kind of new, you'd probably have to wait for several months up to a year for the downgrade and copilot features.
Best regards,
Muhammad
On 22/01/2025 18:59, Diana Brent via groups.io wrote:
That was our experience too. I wonder if it's something about living in Canada and that is where we've subscribed to MS365. My husband is sighted and sees no such downgrade options for "classic" versions on the screen.?
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Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
David,
?
In regard to Outlook, I presume you mean Outlook Classic.? I've not had it show up in Outlook Classic or New Outlook for me, yet, or else the presentation is quite different as far as what happens in the respective ribbons.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
In my case, I was first offered Copilot in Word. The offer for Outlook presented itself either later on during the same day or possibly the day after and I noticed it in Excel for the first time today. I likely
would have noticed it in Excel earlier but I don’t use Excel as often.
?
David Goldfield,
Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist
?
?
Director of Marketing,
Blazie Technologies
?
Am Yisrael Chai
The Nation of Israel Lives!
?
Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive blindness technology news, events and information.
Email: [email protected]
?
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 2:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
Now that we have two Canadians reporting this option does not exist, and in your case with sighted spouse verification, then it may be a country-related thing.
The downgrade is not noted as a downgrade, per se, but the noted Switch Plan button exists in the US for the Classic and Basic subscription plans.? Classic is what all Personal and Family users have been accustomed to pre-Copilot-integration
and Basic is the version where you only have access to the Office web apps, no desktop apps.
I have to imagine, much like the checkbox for Enable Copilot has only reached Word so far, but is slated to reach the other Office desktop apps, the downgrade option will have to become available so that those who want the non-AI version
of M365 they're used to can choose to keep it at the next renewal date.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
Diana,
?
Now that we have two Canadians reporting this option does not exist, and in your case with sighted spouse verification, then it may be a country-related thing.
?
The downgrade is not noted as a downgrade, per se, but the noted Switch Plan button exists in the US for the Classic and Basic subscription plans.? Classic is what all Personal and Family users have been accustomed to pre-Copilot-integration and Basic is the version where you only have access to the Office web apps, no desktop apps.
?
I have to imagine, much like the checkbox for Enable Copilot has only reached Word so far, but is slated to reach the other Office desktop apps, the downgrade option will have to become available so that those who want the non-AI version of M365 they're used to can choose to keep it at the next renewal date.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Re: The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
That was our experience too. I wonder if it's something about living in Canada and that is where we've subscribed to MS365. My husband is sighted and sees no such downgrade options for "classic" versions on the screen.?
|
Word: Turning Off Integrated Copilot and the prompt it produces: "Select the icon or press Alt + I to draft with Copilot"
Several points first:
1. The prompt is just that, a prompt.? It can be ignored, it is NOT part of your document text, and if you just start typing all behaves as it always has.
2. The technique given below, as of 2025-01-22, applies only to Word.? The Copilot Pane has not yet been introduced in the other Office suite apps of M365.
3. There is a way to disable it in the other Office suite apps, but doing so is non-selective and takes other functionality away, too.? I would wait until the Copilot Pane appears in Excel, etc., rather than using the workaround (which I won't discuss here).
?
With the new integrated Copilot, when you open a new blank document or when you reach certain "blank spots" in existing documents, Copilot displays a prompt that screen readers always read (at least as of today's date), "Select the icon or press Alt + I to draft with Copilot," and which can be ignored if you just start typing as usual.? If you intend to play with Copilot, this will soon become "background noise," and you'll ignore the prompt as necessary, but . . .
?
To disable Copilot in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Word
- Bring up the File Backstage View, whether by hitting Alt followed by F or clicking on File.
- Hit T to open the Options pane or click on Options.
- In the sidebar, navigate to/click on "Copilot" to open the Copilot settings pane (which contains one item). Navigate into the pane.
- Uncheck the box labeled "Enable Copilot"
- Activate the "OK"? button to save the changes
- Restart Microsoft Word
?
You should no longer have the prompt appearing at all after Word is restarted unless you reverse what you did above.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Brian Vogel