Recent announcements from Microsoft indicate that the Copilot AI application will roll out as a default installation with all desktop versions of the Microsoft 365 suite—including popular programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—starting in October 2025. This decision has raised concerns among users who prefer a choice in managing AI tools in their software environment. The automatic installation applies primarily to Windows devices using the Microsoft 365 desktop client.

“Starting in October 2025, Microsoft will begin automatically installing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows devices that have Microsoft 365 desktop client apps,” sources report.

With this update, system administrators may have options to restrict installations; however, personal users currently lack such capabilities, signaling a shift towards a more integrated and enforced AI presence in everyday productivity tools. As users face increasing integration of AI technologies, some may find the Copilot features beneficial for tasks like document summarization, while others might see it as an unwanted imposition.

For those who prefer a clean workspace without additional AI features, alternative software solutions are still available, such as LibreOffice.