My goodbye to Microsoft WordPerfect was not as complete and total as I had hoped. I had been using the word-processing software for decades and quickly found that transferring all my old writings was a task bigger than I was willing to endure. Seeing the Copilot logo and dialog box on my old works was infuriating. I had to find a way to remove the intruder. With great pleasure, I can report success.  

The method for removing Copilot had absolutely nothing to do with the information on Microsoft’s webpage, from instructions from tech support representatives, or from numerous blogs that gave step-by-step instructions on removing the AI. The information from the resources mentioned did not match what was on my screen. And none of the resources mentioned could explain why.  

I am not a software guru, and it has been several weeks since I discovered the path to disable Copilot. So please, do not expect step-by-step instructions. I can only say there is a way, and I stumbled upon it by clicking on help above the document. A drop-down menu appeared, which included a search option. I typed the question, “How to disable Copilot?” And got nothing. I continued to rephrase the the question until I stumbled across the correct sequence. It was reminiscent of Gandalf trying to find the magic Word to open Moria’s gates. Once I stumbled up the correct sequence, disabling Copilot took two seconds.

Although I have found a way to remove Copilot from my documents, I am not going back to Word. But I must concede that the software is so ingrained in my writing that I cannot escape it. Word is also very well a fixture at my day job and with my fellow writers. Again, escape is impossible. For now, my documents are free of Copilot, and that will have to be enough.

Edmond Rane