Forum Discussion
Turn of copilot in new outlook
There is a serious problem with Copilot turning itself back on in the new Outlook. I would like to ask Microsoft engineers a simple question: What is the purpose of the Copilot toggle button? What is the point of a button that turns itself back on after 15 minutes?
Why are you treating users this way, with such an aggressive approach to software we paid for? The situation is extremely simple: If I turn off Copilot, I also lose the Summarize function — which I never wanted in my email client. I do not want you to offer to read my messages for me and retell them. The Copilot button bothers me, and Copilot itself bothers me. I do not need it.
When I turn it off, it comes back. What is the point of this? Are you trying to force people into accepting something they clearly do not want?
The only way to disable it is to block content analysis. But if I do that, spell check stops working.
That is extremely manipulative. I have no words.
15 Replies
- PTBarnumCopper Contributor
This behaviour is going to make a funny reel for my social media. Click it off, hit the save, watch it turn back on, click it off, hit the save, etcetera. i didn't find an answer today but I did waste 20 minutes looking. Finally, it's reassuring to know I am not alone.
- KM11Copper Contributor
Does anyone know if MS is even aware of, let alone working on a solution to, this issue?
Literally have to turn copilot off on a daily basis now.
- BH1Copper Contributor
I am a long time Microsoft developer, but recently it has become unbearable. Trying to get rid of Copilot is harder than getting rid of cockroaches in a New York apartment. Just when you thought you killed them all, another one shows up.
As with the cockroaches, the only real solution may be moving to a different, cleaner place. - SandiegoaCopper Contributor
This is happening to me as well and it is maddening as heck. It's as though we have no choice but to stay connected and forced into compliance to their AI while given a false sense of control over our information. Turn off Co-Pilot. This is unacceptable, and will indeed force me to find another way to conduct business.
- ellisonCopper Contributor
Every time I turn Copilot off in the web version, it gets turned back on. This has happened multiple times in the last few days; it seems to come back after a page reload or browser restart. I don't use it, and I don't like it. It's the equivalent of a moron who doesn't understand my job constantly hanging over my shoulder trying to tell me how to do it. Ignoring users' stated preferences is a terrible look. There needs to be a real, permanent way for people to opt out.
- longm6Copper Contributor
Came here because I'm also getting absolutely fed up with Copilot turning itself back on in Outlook (though I use the browser version). I don't want it. I never asked for it. I don't need your stupid AI reading my emails. That's a huge breach of privacy that I never agreed to.
- VladiFiliIron Contributor
Thank you for the reply, but I need to clarify the situation because it doesn’t match how things actually work.
I’m using a personal Microsoft account, I’m not part of any organization, I don’t have an admin, and there is no “organizational policy” that could affect Outlook. So the part of the answer referring to administrators or organization settings simply doesn’t apply here.
The second point: in the new Outlook there is no reliable option that actually turns off Copilot. There is only a visual toggle, but it:
-does not disable the feature server‑side
-turns itself back on after restarting the app
-does not prevent Copilot from appearing in the interface
In other words, Copilot is integrated at the service level (Outlook.com backend), not at the level of local settings. Because of that, the user cannot disable it, even if they want to.
I understand that Microsoft is in the process of “gradually rolling out new AI features,” but the current situation is that:
-there is no user‑controlled way to permanently disable Copilot
-there is no setting that actually performs that function
-there is no admin who could disable it, since this is a personal account
-there is no documentation stating that disabling Copilot is supported
For that reason, it would be helpful if Microsoft clearly communicated that Copilot in the new Outlook is an obligatory part of the interface for Outlook.com accounts and that users cannot remove it, instead of suggesting that the solution is in settings or with an administrator.
If there are plans to introduce a real option to disable Copilot in the future, it would be good to confirm that officially. If not — then that should also be stated clearly, so users don’t waste time searching for an option that doesn’t exist.
- BlueMeanie42Copper Contributor
I'm also using a personal account and am infuriated that the option keeps reappearing on each new message AND cannot be turned off. This is so idiotic.
- mohdadeebIron Contributor
If you want to turn off Copilot in the new Outlook, you can check the settings or admin controls. In many cases, Copilot features are managed by your Microsoft account or organization settings. If you are using a work account, your admin may need to disable it for you. You can also look in Outlook settings under AI or Copilot options (if available), as Microsoft is still updating these features.
- MTobonCopper Contributor
Since you've already tried the settings route, have you looked into switching back to "Classic" Outlook? For now, the older version of Outlook (the one that doesn't look like a web browser) still respects traditional settings and doesn't force the Copilot/Editor bundle as aggressively.
- VladiFiliIron Contributor
Classic Outlook is basically abandoned. It doesn’t work properly. It freezes when you try to close it. I used it for IMAP accounts and it caused major problems with search.
- KM11Copper Contributor
I'm having this issue too. It never used to do this, I turned off copilot in my inbox the day it rolled out lol, first noticed this a few days ago. I've switched to Outlook's desktop app for now, hoping MS patches this bug but I'm not getting my hopes up.