Microsoft Word in a browser now has Copilot appearing more often than before, making things worse for their paying customers.
Stunningly ignoring customer complaints about Copilot interrupting Word documents, Microsoft has chosen to make their AI service MORE intrusive.
If you thought Microsoft could not make Copilot worse in Microsoft Word … think again.
Until now Word for the web only showed the Copilot icon (in the margin) for a new line but now it’s available in middle or end of a paragraph as well.
They have the gall to call this an improvement “we’ve made to the Copilot experience on your Word canvas.” and “Copilot is now always present to assist you!” (our emphasis) ad say that as if it’s a good thing.
Redmond’s justification for this is a very selective look at customer feedback
“Many of you have told us that Copilot’s appearance on the canvas is inconsistent. …. We’re excited to expand this capability to more parts of the Word canvas. “
No doubt Microsoft could find some people who wanted the Copilot icon to appear more often in Word. “Many” – really? Rather than point those troubled souls to the professional help they sorely need, Microsoft has pandered to them.
This ‘improvement’ hasn’t spread to Word for Windows/Mac … but alas it’s only a matter of time.
There are often occasions when Copilot ‘help’ isn’t wanted or appropriate.
Our image above is a good example of why people don’t want Copilot intruding on the “Word canvas”. No-one wants AI to help with the Gettysburg Address – no “Make Shorter” “Structure and Refine”, “Visualize as a table” and definitely not “Auto Rewrite”. Same goes for a document already refined and approved. Would some Microsoft staffer dare to use Copilot to ‘help’with a doc approved by their CEO Satya Nadella?
Even worse, these Copilot interferences can’t be turned off in the Office web apps. If you have a Copilot enabled plan (paid or part of Microsoft 365 Family/Personal) then they’ll appear in Word on the web – like it or not.
Copilot has a place but it needs to be way more discreet, appearing when asked for and not before.
In short: months of complaints from customers, starting last October, still haven’t penetrated Microsoft’s AI-enhanced hide. They still think customers want Copilot sticking its AI nose into every part of Word.
How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft 365
Stop Copilot appearing in Microsoft 365
