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There is no single switch that turns off AI across workplace software. Start with the control for the specific app or feature, then ask your administrator if the setting is missing or locked. The steps below cover Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom Workplace, Adobe Acrobat desktop, and Slack; available controls depend on the account, plan, platform, and administrator policy.

How do I turn off AI features in workplace apps?

Use the app’s own AI setting rather than simply hiding its button. A hidden icon may leave the feature available through other menus, and switching off one app’s AI does not necessarily disable AI elsewhere or prevent another AI feature from accessing that app’s data.

  1. Identify the specific app and feature you want to disable.
  2. Check whether the setting is available to your account type and platform.
  3. Turn it off in the app or service settings, then save or restart if prompted.
  4. If the setting is absent, grayed out, or controlled by your organization, contact your workspace administrator.
  5. Check related AI controls separately; a feature-specific change is not necessarily a suite-wide opt-out.

For managed work or school accounts, administrators may have controls that individual users cannot change. The sections below explain the available scope and important limits for each product.

How do I turn off Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote?

In Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, Microsoft’s documented Enable Copilot checkbox is per app and per device. Microsoft says it is available to Microsoft-account users, such as people using personal accounts, but not to users signed in with a work or school account.

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  1. Open the app and select File > Options > Copilot.
  2. Clear Enable Copilot, save the change, and restart the app.

Mac desktop

  1. Open the app menu and select Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot.
  2. Clear the checkbox and restart the app.

Microsoft’s instructions list minimum versions as of March 13, 2025: on Windows, Word 2412, Excel 2501, PowerPoint 2501, and OneNote 2502; on Mac, Word 16.93, Excel 16.93.2, and PowerPoint 16.93.2. These version requirements may change. If the control is missing, check the current instructions and app version. The checkbox is not available in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for iOS, Android, or the web. See Microsoft’s instructions for turning off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps.

Removing the Copilot icon from the ribbon only hides that entry point; Microsoft says Copilot can still be accessed through other methods, including the shortcut menu.

Broader Microsoft 365 privacy setting

If the app-specific control is unavailable, Microsoft documents a broader connected-experiences setting for personal Microsoft 365 apps. It can also turn off non-AI features, so use it only if that trade-off is acceptable.

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  • Windows: File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings, then clear Turn on experiences that analyze your content.
  • Mac: Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy > Connected Experiences > Manage Connected Experiences, then clear the same control.

Microsoft says this broader change also disables connected experiences such as suggested replies, text predictions, PowerPoint Designer, and automatic alt text. Details are in Microsoft’s overview of connected experiences.

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How do I turn off Copilot in Outlook?

Outlook has a separate Turn on Copilot control. Microsoft says the selection follows the signed-in account across devices.

  • Outlook for Android, iOS, or Mac: open Quick Settings > Copilot.
  • Outlook on the web or new Outlook for Windows: open Settings > Copilot.

Microsoft’s cited instructions give no estimated date for this toggle in classic Outlook for Windows. A missing control there does not mean the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint checkbox applies to Outlook.

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How do I disable Gemini in Google Workspace?

The documented Gemini feature-access controls are for administrators, not individual users. Google lists support for Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, the Teaching and Learning add-on and Education Plus, and Google AI Pro for Education.

  1. In the Google Admin console, go to Generative AI > Gemini for Workspace > Feature access.
  2. Select the Workspace service you want to change.
  3. Choose Off and save.

Administrators can apply the setting to an organizational unit or configuration group; group settings override organizational-unit settings. Listed services include Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, Vids, Meet, Chat, and Workspace Studio. See Google’s instructions for managing access to Gemini features in Workspace services.

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Turning Gemini off for a particular service does not guarantee that its data is inaccessible to Gemini elsewhere. Google states: “Even if Gemini is off for a specific app, users can still access its data when using Gemini in other apps.” Turning off access to the Gemini app at gemini.google.com also does not turn off other AI features in Workspace services. Google says users need smart features and personalization enabled to access Gemini in Workspace services. Its help page was last updated October 6, 2026.

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How do I turn off Zoom AI Companion?

Zoom controls AI features in its web portal at account, group, or individual-user level. Sign in to the portal, open Zoom AI under the relevant account, group, or personal settings, and switch off the feature you want to disable. The exact controls depend on the feature; Zoom describes AI capabilities across Meetings, Chat, Mail, Whiteboard, Events, Clips, and other products.

If a control is grayed out, an account or group administrator has locked it. Ask that administrator to change the policy. Some AI features can only be managed at account or group level, so a personal setting will not cover every feature. Consult Zoom’s AI Companion settings instructions for the applicable control.

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How do I disable generative AI in Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe’s instructions apply to desktop Acrobat. Adobe says generative AI features are enabled by default and can be disabled by individual users; administrators can revoke access for a team or organization.

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  1. Close any open documents.
  2. Windows: select Menu > Preferences > Generative AI. macOS: select View > Preferences > Generative AI.
  3. Clear Enable generative AI features and select OK.

These steps are for desktop Acrobat, not its mobile or web versions. Adobe’s page was last updated May 11, 2026. See Adobe’s Acrobat generative AI settings.

How do I disable Slack AI?

Slack owners and admins manage AI access in the workspace or organization’s Feature access > AI settings. They can edit individual features and select No one where that option is available. Ask your owner or administrator if you cannot access these controls.

Available settings depend on the paid plan and organization type. Slack’s AI capabilities include summaries, huddle notes, search answers, recaps, file summaries, translations, workflow features, and Slackbot. Owners can also manage whether new AI features are allowed automatically. Slack notes that future Slackbot functionality may be released automatically when Slackbot is enabled, while some capabilities have separate controls; do not assume there is one permanent switch that disables every current and future AI feature. See Slack’s guide to managing AI features.

Which setting should I check first?

Product Who can change it Scope and availability Important limitation
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote User, when eligible One app on one device; documented checkbox for personal Microsoft accounts Not available for work or school accounts or in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS, Android, or web. Removing the ribbon icon only hides it.
Outlook User, subject to account and app controls Separate Copilot toggle; selection follows the account across devices Microsoft’s cited instructions do not give an estimated date for classic Outlook for Windows.
Google Workspace Gemini Administrator Selected services, organizational units, or configuration groups; supported editions only Gemini in another app may still access data from a service where Gemini is off.
Zoom AI Companion User or administrator, depending on the control Account, group, or individual settings; some features require account or group controls A locked setting needs an administrator; controls vary by AI feature.
Adobe Acrobat generative AI User or team/organization administrator Individual desktop app setting or administrator-managed team access The cited steps cover desktop Acrobat, not mobile or web.
Slack AI Workspace or organization owner/admin Feature access settings; availability varies by plan and organization Some future Slackbot capabilities may be allowed automatically when Slackbot is enabled.

Use the product-specific controls rather than treating a hidden icon as a shutdown. If you use a managed account, or need an organization-wide change, the administrator is the right person to confirm which features are disabled and what remains available.

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