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How to Turn Off AI Features in Common Workplace Apps

Turn off AI features app by app in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom Workplace, desktop Acrobat, and Slack, with the account and admin limits that matter.
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There is no single switch that turns off AI across workplace apps. Use each product’s own controls, and check whether your account lets you change them: some options apply only to one app or device, while Google Workspace and Slack controls are managed by administrators. The steps below cover Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom Workplace, Adobe Acrobat desktop, and Slack; availability varies by account, plan, and platform.

How do I turn off AI features in workplace apps?

Start in the app or service where the AI feature appears. Then check the scope of its control: it might disable one feature, apply to one app on one device, or require a workspace administrator. Removing an icon is not necessarily the same as disabling the feature, and turning off one app’s AI does not always prevent other AI features from accessing related data.

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Product Who can change it Scope and important limits
Microsoft 365 Users can change some personal-account settings; work or school accounts may not show the same controls. Copilot’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint checkbox applies to one app on one device. Outlook has a separate control.
Google Workspace Administrator Gemini feature access is configured by service and can be assigned to organizational units or configuration groups. Data may remain accessible through Gemini in another app.
Zoom Workplace User or account/group administrator, depending on the setting Controls exist at account, group, and personal levels; one personal toggle does not necessarily cover every AI feature.
Adobe Acrobat desktop Individual user; administrators can also manage team or organization access The documented preference applies to desktop Acrobat, not necessarily web or mobile versions.
Slack Workspace or organization owner/admin Feature access varies by plan and organization type; there is no guaranteed permanent universal off switch for every current and future AI feature.

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

Windows

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

Mac

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

Microsoft’s documented checkbox is per app and per device. Its instructions say the option is available for Microsoft-account users, such as personal accounts, but not when signed in with a work or school account. It is not available in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for iOS, Android, or the web. The listed minimum desktop versions in Microsoft’s instructions dated March 13, 2025, were Word 2412, Excel 2501, PowerPoint 2501, and OneNote 2502 on Windows; on Mac, Word 16.93, Excel 16.93.2, and PowerPoint 16.93.2. If the setting is missing, check the current app version and Microsoft’s current Copilot instructions.

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Removing Copilot from the ribbon only hides that entry point; Microsoft says it remains available through other methods, such as a shortcut menu. Use the app’s checkbox when it is available rather than treating a hidden icon as a disabled feature.

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Outlook

Outlook has its own Turn on Copilot toggle. Microsoft lists Quick Settings > Copilot for Outlook on Android, iOS, and Mac, and Settings > Copilot for Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows. The selection follows the signed-in account across devices. Microsoft’s cited instructions give no estimated availability date for this toggle in classic Outlook for Windows.

If the app-specific switch is unavailable

For personal Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft documents a broader connected-experiences setting. 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 a broader privacy choice, not a Copilot-only switch: it can also disable non-AI features such as suggested replies, text predictions, PowerPoint Designer, and automatic alt text. See Microsoft’s explanation of connected experiences before changing it.

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How do I disable Gemini in Google Workspace?

Gemini feature controls in the documented Workspace editions are administrator settings. Google lists Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, the Teaching and Learning add-on and Education Plus, and Google AI Pro for Education. An administrator can use these steps:

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  1. In the Admin console, go to Generative AI > Gemini for Workspace > Feature access.
  2. Select the service to configure, choose Off, and save.
  3. To scope the setting, apply it to an organizational unit or configuration group. Group settings override organizational-unit settings.

The listed services include Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, Vids, Meet, Chat, and Workspace Studio. The specific edition and service matter; consult Google’s Gemini feature-access instructions for the current controls.

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Turning Gemini off for one service does not necessarily prevent its data from being used elsewhere. Google says users can still access data from an app where Gemini is off by asking Gemini in another app. Turning off access to the Gemini app at gemini.google.com also does not turn off other AI features in Workspace services. Google’s instructions further state that smart features and personalization must be enabled for users to access Gemini in Workspace services.

How do I turn off Zoom AI Companion?

Zoom’s web portal offers controls at account, group, and individual-user levels. Sign in to the Zoom web portal, open Zoom AI under the relevant account, group, or personal settings, and toggle the feature you want to disable. The exact scope matters: Zoom documents AI features across Meetings, Chat, Mail, Whiteboard, Events, Clips, and other products, and some features can only be controlled at the account or group level. Use Zoom’s AI Companion settings instructions to identify the relevant control.

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If a toggle is grayed out, an account or group administrator has locked it; ask that administrator to change the policy. A personal setting should not be assumed to disable every AI feature across the organization.

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How do I disable generative AI in Adobe Acrobat desktop?

Adobe says generative AI features are enabled by default in desktop Acrobat and can be disabled by individual users. Close open documents first, then:

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  1. On Windows, go to Menu > Preferences > Generative AI. On macOS, go to View > Preferences > Generative AI.
  2. Clear Enable generative AI features and select OK.

Administrators can revoke access for a team or organization. These instructions are for desktop Acrobat; they do not establish the equivalent control for Acrobat on mobile or the web. Adobe’s page was last updated May 11, 2026. See Adobe’s Acrobat generative AI settings guidance.

How do I disable Slack AI?

Slack AI access is managed by workspace or organization owners and admins, not by an individual member’s universal off switch. An owner or admin can open the workspace or organization’s Feature access > AI settings, edit available features, and choose No one where that option is offered.

Available controls depend on the paid plan and organization type. The settings cover features such as 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. Review Slack’s AI feature access guidance and ask an administrator if you cannot see the settings.

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What to check if AI still appears after you switch it off

  • Confirm the exact feature and app. A control for one service, app, or feature may leave other AI tools available.
  • Check account and device scope. Microsoft’s documented app checkbox is per app and device, while Outlook’s setting follows the account across devices.
  • Look for an administrator lock. Google Workspace and Slack settings are admin-managed; Zoom may lock a user’s toggle at account or group level.
  • Distinguish hiding from disabling. Removing an icon can remove a shortcut without switching off the underlying feature.
  • Check the product plan and platform. Controls can differ by edition, subscription, operating system, and app version.
  • Consider cross-app data access. Google explicitly documents that Gemini in another app can still access data from a service where Gemini is off.

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