Microsoft is switching off the predictive text feature in Word and Outlook by default, having concluded that unwanted suggestions can hinder rather than help some users. The change affects Word for Windows, the web, iOS and Android, as well as classic Outlook for Windows and Mac; the feature itself will remain available but users will now have to actively turn it on rather than opt out of it.

Microsoft says the update is designed to keep predictive text accessible to those who value it while cutting down on unwanted interruptions for those who prefer typing without automatic suggestions. The company has not clarified whether the change will disable predictions for users who already have them switched on, nor has it said whether the decision was driven by user feedback or telemetry data. Microsoft is not alone in offering this kind of feature — Google introduced its similar Smart Compose tool in Gmail back in 2018.