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How to Turn Off AI Features in Common Workplace Apps

AI settings differ by app, platform, account, and administrator policy. Here’s where to turn off Copilot, Gemini, Zoom AI Companion, Acrobat AI, and Slack AI.
From TheFinanceBase Team7 min to read

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There is no single switch that disables AI across workplace software. Start with the control for the specific app and feature; if it is missing, locked, or managed by your employer or school, an administrator may need to change it. The steps below cover Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom Workplace, Adobe Acrobat desktop, and Slack. Availability and scope depend on your account, plan, platform, and administrator settings.

How do I turn off AI features in workplace apps?

Use the app’s own AI setting first. Before changing it, check whether it applies to one feature, one app, a device, or a whole account. Hiding an icon is not the same as disabling the feature, and turning off one AI tool may not prevent another tool in the same suite from accessing relevant data.

  • If the setting is available to you: switch off the feature and follow any prompt to save or restart.
  • If the setting is grayed out or missing: check your account type and plan, then ask your workspace administrator whether the control is centrally managed.
  • If you want to limit more than one feature: review the app’s other AI controls separately; a setting for one feature may not cover the rest.

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

Windows and Mac desktop apps

For eligible personal Microsoft accounts, Microsoft provides a Copilot checkbox in supported desktop apps. It applies to one app on one device, so repeat the change in each app and on each device where you want Copilot off.

  1. Windows: open the app and select File > Options > Copilot.
  2. Clear Enable Copilot, save the change, and restart the app.
  3. Mac: open the app menu and select Preferences > Authoring and Proofing Tools > Copilot.
  4. Clear the checkbox and restart the app.

Microsoft says this checkbox is not available when you are signed in with a work or school account. The documented minimum versions, listed by Microsoft as of March 13, 2025, were Word 2412, Excel 2501, PowerPoint 2501, and OneNote 2502 on Windows; on Mac they were Word 16.93, Excel 16.93.2, and PowerPoint 16.93.2. Microsoft does not list a Mac OneNote version in those requirements. Versions and availability can change, so check the current app and Microsoft instructions if you cannot find the control. The checkbox is not available in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for iOS, Android, or the web. Microsoft’s instructions for turning off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps describe the control and its scope.

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Removing the ribbon icon does not disable Copilot

Removing Copilot from the ribbon only hides that entry point. Microsoft notes that Copilot may still be accessible through other methods, including a shortcut menu. Use the app’s checkbox when it is available rather than relying on ribbon customization. Microsoft Support explains the distinction.

Broader Microsoft privacy setting

If the app-specific checkbox is unavailable in a personal Microsoft 365 app, Microsoft documents a broader privacy control. On Windows, go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings. On Mac, go to Preferences > Personal Settings > Privacy > Connected Experiences > Manage Connected Experiences. Clear Turn on experiences that analyze your content.

This is not a Copilot-only switch. It also disables other connected experiences, including suggested replies, text predictions, PowerPoint Designer, and automatic alt text. Consider that trade-off before changing it. Microsoft’s description of connected experiences provides more detail.

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How do I turn off Copilot in Outlook?

Outlook has a separate Turn on Copilot toggle. Microsoft says the selection follows the signed-in account across devices, unlike the per-app, per-device checkbox for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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

Microsoft’s instructions do not give an estimated availability date for this toggle in classic Outlook for Windows. If you use a work or school account and cannot change the setting, ask your administrator. See Microsoft’s Outlook-specific instructions.

How do I disable Gemini in Google Workspace?

For supported Google Workspace editions, Gemini access in Workspace services is managed by an administrator, not by an individual user. An administrator can change access for an organizational unit or configuration group:

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  1. In the Admin console, go to Generative AI > Gemini for Workspace > Feature access.
  2. Select the service to change and choose Off.
  3. Save the setting. If using a configuration group, note that its setting overrides the organizational-unit setting.

The listed supported offerings are Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, the Teaching and Learning add-on and Education Plus, and Google AI Pro for Education. The services include Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, Vids, Meet, Chat, and Workspace Studio. The availability list and controls may change; consult Google Workspace Help’s Gemini feature-access instructions, last updated October 6, 2026.

Turning Gemini off for a service does not necessarily prevent its data from being used through Gemini elsewhere. Google says users may still access data from an app where Gemini is off when they ask Gemini in another app. Turning off access to the Gemini app at gemini.google.com also does not disable other AI features in Workspace services. Google’s instructions also say users need smart features and personalization enabled to access Gemini in Workspace services.

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How do I turn off Zoom AI Companion?

Zoom AI settings can be managed at the account, group, or individual-user level in the Zoom web portal. Sign in, open Zoom AI under the relevant account, group, or personal settings, and switch off the feature you want to disable.

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If a control is grayed out, it is locked at the account or group level; an administrator with access to that level must change it. Some AI features can only be configured at account or group level. Zoom AI features span Meetings, Chat, Mail, Whiteboard, Events, Clips, and other products, so do not assume that one user-level toggle disables every AI feature. Check the relevant controls in Zoom’s AI settings guide.

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How do I disable generative AI in Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe’s instructions apply to desktop Acrobat on Windows and macOS. Close any open documents first, then use the appropriate menu:

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

Adobe says individual users can disable these features; administrators can revoke access for a team or organization. The steps are for desktop Acrobat, not its mobile or web versions. Adobe’s guidance was last updated May 11, 2026. Read Adobe’s Acrobat generative AI settings instructions.

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How do I disable Slack AI?

Slack AI feature access is managed by workspace owners and admins through the workspace or organization’s Feature access > AI settings. They can edit available features and select No one where that option is offered.

Controls and features vary by paid plan and organization type. The settings cover capabilities such as summaries, huddle notes, search answers, recaps, file summaries, translations, workflow features, and Slackbot. Owners can also manage whether new AI features are automatically allowed. Slack notes that future Slackbot functionality may be released automatically when Slackbot is enabled, while some capabilities have separate controls; therefore, do not treat a single setting as a guaranteed permanent switch for every present and future AI feature. Consult Slack’s AI feature access instructions for your workspace.

What changes when you turn AI off?

The effect depends on the product. Some controls disable a feature in one app or service; others apply across an account or are administered for a group. In Microsoft 365, the broader connected-experiences setting also removes non-AI conveniences. In Google Workspace, disabling Gemini in one service does not prevent its data from being accessed through Gemini in another service. These differences make it important to check both the setting’s scope and what other features remain available.

App or suite Who can change it Scope and availability Important limitation
Microsoft 365 Eligible personal-account users can use the desktop app checkbox; work or school account settings may require administrator control. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote checkbox is per app and device; Outlook has a separate account-following toggle. Ribbon removal only hides an entry point. The broader privacy setting also disables non-AI connected experiences.
Google Workspace Gemini Administrator. Feature access is set by service and can apply to an organizational unit or configuration group for supported editions. Gemini in another app may still access data from a service where Gemini is off.
Zoom Workplace User or administrator, depending on the control and its lock status. Settings exist at account, group, and individual-user levels; some features are limited to account or group settings. Zoom AI spans multiple products, so a user-level setting may not cover every feature.
Adobe Acrobat desktop Individual user; administrators can revoke team or organization access. Generative AI preference in desktop Acrobat for Windows and macOS. The cited instructions do not establish equivalent controls for mobile or web Acrobat.
Slack Workspace or organization owner/admin. Feature access varies by paid plan and organization type; controls are offered for individual AI capabilities. New Slackbot functionality may be released automatically when Slackbot is enabled.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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