Microsoft disables text prediction by default in Word and Outlook

Microsoft is changing how Word and Outlook handle text suggestions, turning off the feature by default for all users. This shift matters because it removes automatic word completion from your typing experience, giving you full control over what appears as you type. If you rely on predictive text to speed up your workflow, you will need to adjust your habits or manually re-enable the setting.

Users must manually enable word completion in settings

The update targets the default configuration for Microsoft Word and Outlook across supported platforms. Microsoft is keeping the technology available but changing the default settings to require user permission before it activates. The update affects both new users and current users who upgrade to the latest version.

The core technical adjustment involves the text prediction engine that previously auto-completed words and phrases. Microsoft has disabled the feature by default so that suggestions only appear if a user manually enables them in the settings. This update changes how the interface behaves by default without modifying the core application code.

We looked at Microsoft Streamlines Copilot Access in Word, in our earlier Microsoft coverage, which highlights the company's broader strategy of balancing AI features with user control. This move reflects a broader industry shift toward treating automatic assistance as an optional feature that users must actively choose to enable. Users who prefer minimal interference in their writing process will find this change beneficial.

Microsoft has confirmed that text prediction is disabled by default in Word and Outlook. This change affects the default configuration for users of these applications. The update is now available to all users on supported versions.