A standard subscription to Microsoft 365 includes Copilot for an additional $3 per month. Here’s how to get a cheaper Classic plan without the AI features.

Microsoft is relaunching its free Copilot for businesses as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat today, complete with the ability to use AI agents. Copilot Chat is Microsoft’s latest attempt to get people used to using AI at work and relying on it enough to tempt them into paying $30 per month to get the full Microsoft 365 Copilot.

At the start of the New Year, with no warning, Microsoft gives its flagship productivity app a name change and a huge price increase. Why would the company make this mess? I asked Copilot, who explained it very well.

Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscription renewals automatically include Copilot with a small price increase. To avoid the raised price, you must manually downgrade to Microsoft 365 Family or Personal Classic before the renewal takes place.

Love Microsoft Copilot? Hate Microsoft Copilot? It doesn’t really matter: Chances are that if you’ve signed up for Microsoft 365, you’re now paying more for Microsoft’s integration of Copilot features,