How to Use Microsoft Copilot: A Practical Beginner's Guide

By the Chatgbot Team · Published August 24, 2026

To learn how to use Copilot, open it from the taskbar in Windows 11, the sidebar in Microsoft Edge, or copilot.microsoft.com in any browser, sign in with a Microsoft account, then type a question or task in plain language. Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, built on OpenAI models, and it can answer questions, draft text, summarize documents, and help inside apps like Word and Excel.

This guide walks through getting started with Copilot step by step. You will see where to find it, how to write good prompts, what the free plan covers, and when the paid version is worth it.

One honest note up front. Copilot is Microsoft's assistant and it runs mainly on OpenAI models. If you want to compare several AI models side by side in one place, that is a different kind of tool, and we cover that at the end.

What Microsoft Copilot Is (in Plain Terms)

Copilot is a chat assistant that lives across Microsoft products. You can ask it things the way you would ask a helpful coworker, and it replies with text, lists, tables, or images. It can also search the web and cite sources.

There are a few versions with the same name. The free consumer Copilot works in Windows, Edge, and the web. Copilot Pro is a paid upgrade for individuals. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a business add-on that plugs into Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. If you want a deeper background, see what is Microsoft Copilot.

How to Use Microsoft Copilot on Windows and Edge

The fastest way to start is on a Windows 11 PC. Here is how to use Microsoft Copilot in a few minutes.

1. Open Copilot. Click the Copilot icon on the Windows taskbar, or press the Copilot key if your keyboard has one. On older setups, go to copilot.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in. Use a free Microsoft account. This unlocks chat history and higher limits.
3. Type your request. Ask a question, paste text to summarize, or describe an image you want.
4. Refine the answer. Reply with follow-ups like "make it shorter" or "add a friendly tone."

In Microsoft Edge, open the Copilot panel from the sidebar. Because it can see the page you are on, you can ask it to summarize an article, explain a chart, or compare products on the current tab. This page-aware help is one of the handiest reasons to use Copilot inside Edge.

How to Use Copilot in Word, Excel, and Other 365 Apps

If your plan includes Copilot for Microsoft 365, the assistant appears directly inside the apps. This is where many people first want to use Copilot in Word/Excel for real work.

In Word

• Start a draft by describing what you need, such as "Write a two paragraph project update for a client."
• Select existing text and ask Copilot to rewrite, shorten, or change the tone.
• Ask it to summarize a long document into a few bullet points.

In Excel

• Ask questions about your data in plain language, like "Which month had the highest sales?"
• Request a formula, for example "Add a column that shows the percent change."
• Have it suggest charts or highlight trends in a table.

In Outlook it can draft replies and summarize long email threads. In Teams it can recap a meeting and list action items. The pattern is the same everywhere. You describe the outcome you want, and Copilot produces a first draft you can edit.

Copilot AI How-To: Writing Prompts That Work

A good prompt is the difference between a vague answer and a useful one. This simple copilot ai how-to habit helps a lot. Tell it the role, the task, the format, and the tone.

Here are example prompts you can copy and adjust:

• "You are a marketing assistant. Write three subject lines for a summer sale email. Keep each under 8 words."
• "Summarize this report in five bullet points a busy manager can read in 30 seconds."
• "Explain this Excel formula to me like I am new to spreadsheets."
• "Draft a polite reply declining this meeting and suggesting next week instead."

For a broader library of ideas you can reuse, see these ChatGPT prompts, since the same prompt structure works well with Copilot too.

Free vs Paid: Which Copilot Do You Need?

Cost is a common question when getting started with Copilot. The free plan covers most everyday needs. Paid plans add priority access, more usage, and app integrations.

Plan	Good for	Key extras
Free Copilot	Everyday questions, web chat, basic drafting, images	Works in Windows, Edge, and the web at no cost
Copilot Pro	Individuals who want faster access and more power	Priority during busy times, higher limits, some app features
Copilot for Microsoft 365	Teams and businesses working inside Office apps	Copilot inside Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, tied to your files

Prices and exact features change over time, so check Microsoft's site before you buy. As a rule, try the free version first. Only upgrade once you hit its limits or need Copilot inside your Office documents.

Tips to Get Better Results

• Give context. Paste the text, numbers, or details it needs instead of assuming it knows.
• Iterate. Treat the first answer as a draft and ask for changes.
• Check facts. Copilot can make mistakes, so verify anything important, especially numbers and quotes.
• Keep private data careful. Avoid pasting sensitive information into any AI chat unless your plan and workplace policy allow it.

Copilot Is One Assistant, Not Every Model

Copilot is handy because it is built into tools you already use, but it mainly relies on OpenAI models. Sometimes another model answers a coding, writing, or reasoning task better, and you cannot always tell without trying a few. If you are weighing options, this comparison of Copilot vs ChatGPT is a useful next read.

This is where an all-in-one app helps. Chatgbot gives you OpenAI GPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Qwen, and GLM in one place, so you can switch models mid-conversation for one subscription. It also handles image generation, PDF analysis, web search, and voice. To see how it stacks up against other tools, browse the best AI chatbots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Copilot free to use?
Yes, the basic Copilot is free in Windows, Edge, and the web with a Microsoft account. Paid plans like Copilot Pro and Copilot for Microsoft 365 add higher limits and features inside Office apps.

How do I use Copilot in Word and Excel?
You need a plan that includes Copilot for Microsoft 365. Then open the app, click the Copilot button, and type what you want in plain language, such as asking for a draft in Word or a formula in Excel.

Do I need to download anything to use Copilot?
No. On Windows 11 it is built in, and on any device you can open copilot.microsoft.com in a browser. There are also Copilot apps for phones if you prefer them.

Is Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
Not exactly. Copilot is Microsoft's assistant and runs mainly on OpenAI models, deeply tied into Windows and Office. ChatGPT is OpenAI's own product. They overlap but are separate services.

Try Several AI Models in One Place

Once you are comfortable with Copilot, you may want to compare answers from more than one model without paying for several apps. Chatgbot lets you use GPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Qwen, and GLM together for one subscription, with image generation, PDF analysis, and voice built in. Start at chatgbot.ai and pick the best model for each task.