Track Changes helps during review, then gets in the way when you need a clean document. The fix starts in Word’s Review controls, but shared review files, locked tracking, and old markup need different moves. Use the steps below to stop new edits from being tracked and clean up the changes already in the file.
1. Switch off Track Changes on Windows or Mac
Open the document in the Word desktop app, select the Review tab, and select Track Changes. When Track Changes is no longer highlighted, tracking is off. Turning Track Changes off stops Word from recording new edits, but it does not remove changes already in the document.
2. Disable tracking in Word for the web
In Word for the web, use Review > Track Changes > Off. That stops tracking for new edits in the browser version of Word. If the document was shared for review, use Editing mode or ask the owner for edit access.
3. Leave Reviewing mode when tracking returns
Use this when Word turns on tracked suggestions because the file is open in Reviewing mode. Look at the mode-selection button near Share in the top-right area of the ribbon, then select the mode button. Choose Editing, and confirm that Track Changes is off from the Review tab.
4. Stop Track Changes on iPhone or iPad
On iPad, open Review > Track changes and Markup options > Track Changes. Turn tracking off.
On iPhone, tap the Edit button to open the ribbon. Then use Home > Review > Track Changes and turn the toggle off. Microsoft also lists the mobile path as Edit > Review > Track Changes. After that, slide the control off.
5. Accept or reject existing tracked changes
Open the document in the Word desktop app and go to Review. To keep every tracked edit, choose Changes > Accept > Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking. To discard every tracked edit, choose Changes > Reject > Reject All Changes and Stop Tracking. On Mac, Microsoft lists these commands under Reviewing > Accept and Reviewing > Reject.
6. Use the Windows shortcut
This fixes the same setting faster in the Windows desktop version of Word. Open the document in Word for Windows, then press Ctrl+Shift+E to toggle Track Changes off or on. For the ribbon key route, press Alt, then R, then G, then G. Check the Track Changes button on the Review tab to confirm it is off.
7. Remove hidden revision data before sharing (Windows)
In Word for Windows, for a cleaner file before sending it out, run Document Inspector on a copy with File > Save As. Next use File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document. Select Comments, Revisions, Versions, and Annotations.
Choose Inspect, then select Remove All. Work from a copy because this process removes hidden content from the inspected file.
Word for Mac has no Document Inspector. On a Mac, clear the revision data with Reviewing > Accept > Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking (or Reviewing > Reject). Run the inspection in Word for Windows if you need the full hidden-data sweep.
8. Unlock tracking when a password blocks changes
On Windows, press Alt+R, then G, then L. Enter the Lock Tracking password, press Enter, and turn off Track Changes from the Review tab.
On Mac, use Review > Protect > Protect Document and clear Protect document for. Enter the password, select OK, and turn off Track Changes. You need the password to unlock tracking; without it, Word keeps the protection in place.
9. Avoid fixes that only hide markup
This prevents you from hiding markup while leaving tracked changes in the document. Do not treat No Markup or Original as a real fix: Review > All Markup > No Markup only changes what you see. Do not rely on print settings to clean the file, because File > Print > Settings > Print All Pages > Print Markup only controls whether markup prints.
Do not expect Copilot to turn off or accept tracked changes. Microsoft’s supported path is still Word’s Review controls. For work or school documents, ask the owner or your IT team if review permissions are being enforced. Microsoft has no verified consumer-level account setting that globally turns off Word Track Changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are edits still showing after I turned Track Changes off?
Turning Track Changes off stops new edits from being tracked. Existing tracked changes and comments stay in the document until you accept, reject, or remove them.
Does No Markup remove tracked changes?
No. No Markup only hides markup on screen. The tracked changes remain in the document.
Can I turn off Track Changes in a file someone shared for review?
Review-sharing permissions control that. Save a separate copy or ask the owner to share it again with edit permissions instead of review-only access.
Can Copilot turn off Track Changes for me?
No. Microsoft does not list a supported Copilot command for turning off or accepting tracked changes. Use Word’s Review and Track Changes controls instead.