Microsoft to discontinue Word Similarity Checker in October

Microsoft will officially discontinue the Similarity Checker feature in Word on October 3, 2026. The tool, which has been available since 2020, allowed users to compare document content against online sources via the Bing search index to identify potential similarities and missing citations.

The removal will affect the Microsoft Editor interface within Word. While the Similarity Checker is being phased out, other core functionalities—including spelling, grammar, clarity, and style checks—will remain available. Microsoft 365 Copilot will also continue to function, though the company clarified that Copilot is not designed to serve as an official tool for verifying plagiarism or text originality.

The change aims to allow Microsoft to focus on more widely used experiences within the Word application. The discontinuation was communicated through the Admin Center's Message Center.