Microsoft Copilot

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant developed by Microsoft, capable of handling online queries, writing tasks, summarization, image generation, as well as providing voice and screen assistance. It can be used on web browsers, Windows, macOS, Edge, as well as iOS and Android devices.

“Microsoft Copilot” can also refer to Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, or GitHub Copilot; these tools are designed for various uses such as personal work, business tasks, agent development, and programming. The licensing options and pricing for each of these products vary.

Main features of Microsoft Copilot

• Answer real-time questions based on web searches and display the sources;
• Upload images and files for summarization, extraction, and Q&A;
• Copilot Voice enables continuous voice communication;
• Copilot Vision can understand screens, Edge pages, or mobile phone cameras;
• Image creation and editing support the production of visual content;
• Copilot Pages converts chat results into editable content;
• Memory is related to personalized ways of remembering, preferences, and work background;
• Copilot is built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook;
• Teams can summarize meeting contents, chats, and collaboration efforts;
• Researchers and Analysts are responsible for corporate research and data analysis;
• Work IQ provides context by taking into account job tasks, relationships, and processes;
• Copilot Studio creates and releases enterprise AI Agents.

Chat, searching, and file Q&A

The free version of Copilot allows users to pose questions in natural language, conduct online searches, and generate content; answers are accompanied by web sources where applicable. After logging in, users can access a history of queries, upload files, and benefit from additional personalized features.

The source of the webpage may be outdated, incomplete, or not fully consistent with the conclusions presented. When it comes to news, prices, regulations, and professional decisions, it is necessary to consult the original source for verification.

Copilot Voice

Voice enables users to engage in continuous conversations in natural language, and can be used for brainstorming, practice, or Q&A on mobile devices, desktops, and web browsers. The available time and advanced features are subject to limitations based on capacity and subscription plan.

Speech recognition can be affected by accent, noise, and network issues, which may lead to incorrect responses. In emergency, medical, and driving situations, one cannot rely solely on voice-based suggestions.

Copilot Vision

With Vision, users can view the screen of a Windows or Mac device, pages in Edge, or the camera feed from their smartphone – once they activate it manually; the information is presented through voice explanations, charts, and actual images. Subscribers have higher usage limits.

Vision can only analyze and provide guidance; it cannot click, type, or scroll on behalf of the user. The images, audio, and context shared at the end of a session are deleted, but the answers and dialogue text can be retained in accordance with the product’s rules.

Copilot Pages

Pages converts a Copilot response into a persistent, editable sidebar page, allowing users to have the AI make further changes and to share it for collaboration. A personal account requires Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium.

Enterprise Pages are stored as page files in SharePoint Embedded, and share some of their functionalities with Loop. It is necessary to verify the content, members, and organizational governance settings before sharing a link.

Copilot within Microsoft 365 apps

With a personal subscription, Copilot can be used in applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams. It can help draft documents, analyze tables, create presentations, summarize emails, and organize notes.

Family and Premium plans allow up to six people to use Office and storage, but the AI features are available only to the subscriber and cannot be shared with family members. The app offerings, language support, and device compatibility may also vary.

Researchers, Analysts, and Work IQ

Deep Research, part of the Consumer Copilot service, was discontinued on August 18, 2026; Premium users can switch to Researcher to generate detailed reports with sources.

Existing reports can still be accessed from the history or by researchers.

The Business version also provides agents such as Analyst and Facilitator. Work IQ organizes Microsoft 365 content, metadata, relationships, connectors, and Memory into a work context.

Copilot Studio

Copilot Studio is a low-code Agent development platform that enables the integration of knowledge, tools, and workflows, with the possibility of deploying them in Microsoft 365, Teams, websites, applications, or other platforms. Its usage is measured in Copilot Credits.

The Studio included in Microsoft 365 Copilot is suitable for creating Agents for users with internal licenses, while the standalone Studio supports external channels, users without licenses, and various billing options.

Comparison of Microsoft Copilot products

Microsoft Copilot individual pricing

The following are the current dollar prices on the official U.S. website. The packages can be purchased on a monthly or annual basis; taxes, promotions, and pricing by region are indicated on the payment page.

Personal and Family offer a higher number of certain features compared to the free version, while Premium provides the highest number of features along with some exclusive functions. Microsoft does not guarantee a fixed number of messages; the specific limitations vary depending on the features and storage capacity.

Prices for the Business version and Copilot Studio

The $18 commercial promotion is valid only from July 1 to September 30, 2026; an annual commitment is required and it applies only to the first year. Details regarding renewal fees and eligibility for this promotion can be found on the purchase page.

Microsoft Copilot usage guide

Complete a reliable online Q&A session

1. Specify the problem, date range, region, and output format;
2. Ask Copilot to distinguish between facts, inferences, and suggestions;
3. Check the source and publication date next to the answer;
4. Open the relevant webpage to check the numbers and the original sentences;
5. Cross-verify using another official source;
6. Modify incorrect or missing constraints;
7. Save the final version and record the verification date.

Processing documents in Office

1. Confirm the file storage location and access permissions;
2. Open Copilot in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint;
3. First, request a summary of the structure, fields, and missing information;
4. Identify the scope that needs to be created or modified;
5. Check each formula, data, reference, and layout individually;
6. Recheck using the application’s built-in validation feature;
7. Save a version and keep the original file for rollback.

Create an Agent using Copilot Studio

1. Define users, channels, knowledge sources, and allowed actions;
2. Choose between the internal Microsoft 365 option or the standalone Studio solution;
3. Connect to data and tools with the minimum required permissions;
4. Implement authentication, content filtering, and verification steps;
5. Test with normal, boundary, and aggressive inputs;
6. Set up Credits budgeting, monitoring, and failure handling;
7. Release it on a small scale first, then gradually expand it.

Who is Microsoft Copilot suitable for?

• Regular users: online Q&A, voice functions, and daily planning;
• Windows and Edge users: Access to screen and web assistance;
• Individual Office users: Use AI in documents, spreadsheets, and presentations;
• Family subscribers: Shared Office, storage, and security services;
• Company employees: Use Work IQ and work-related data to complete tasks;
• Managers and analysts: Use Researcher, Analyst, and apply analysis;
• Development team: Build Agents using Copilot Studio and Agents SDK.

The advantages of Microsoft Copilot

• It integrates seamlessly with Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365;
• Search, Voice, and Vision cover a variety of interaction methods;
• Pages can convert temporary chats into editable outputs.
• Office applications allow for direct editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations;
• Work IQ can integrate organizational content, relationships, and processes.
• The business version offers capabilities for enterprise data protection and management;
• Copilot Studio supports the deployment of both internal and external Agents.

Usage restrictions and precautions

• Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and GitHub Copilot are different products;
• AI responses may contain incorrect facts, sources, formulas, and code;
• The Consumer Deep Research option has been removed, and Premium is now referred to as Researcher.
• The AI benefits associated with Family and Premium plans cannot be shared with other members.
• Vision only provides observation and guidance; it cannot control the screen.
• Features may vary depending on the application, language, device, and region.
• Enterprise Agents may incur additional Copilot Credits charges;
• Medical, legal, financial, and HR decisions must be reviewed manually.

Privacy, security, and data control

The Consumer Vision feature processes shared content only when the user initiates it; once that process is completed, the images, audio files, and related context data are deleted. The dialogue messages and model responses, on the other hand, are handled in accordance with the chat history and security rules.

The business data used by Microsoft 365 Copilot is subject to corporate data protection rules; prompts, responses, and Microsoft Graph content are not utilized for training the underlying models. Organizations still need to establish policies regarding access, sharing, retention, and connector management.

• Only the windows or camera feed required to complete the Vision task are shared;
• Delete passwords, keys, and unnecessary personal information before uploading;
• Enterprise tasks use managed work accounts;
• Check the sharing permissions for SharePoint, OneDrive, and Pages;
• The Agent requires confirmation before writing, sending, deleting, or purchasing.
• Regularly audit connectors, members, Credits, and historical records.

API, GitHub, and open-source information

The Microsoft 365 Agents SDK, Agent Framework, Copilot Studio examples, and Copilot API clients can be used to build agents. They support platforms such as Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, websites, and custom applications.

The core models and hosting services behind Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot are not open-source projects. The fact that the official SDKs and examples are available under an open-source license does not mean that the full Copilot functionality can be deployed privately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Copilot free?

The free version allows for chatting, online searching, voice communication, Vision features, and basic image creation; logging in and subscribing at a fee provides additional functions and more usage limits.

How much is Microsoft 365 Premium?

In the United States, the price is 19.99 dollars per month or 199.99 dollars per year; it includes Office and storage for up to 6 users, but the AI features are available only to those who have a subscription.

Is Copilot Pro still available?

The standalone Copilot Pro version for individuals has been replaced by the Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Premium plans; when making a purchase, one should choose from the available plan options on the relevant page.

Is Microsoft Copilot the same as GitHub Copilot?

They are different. The former is designed for general and office tasks, while GitHub Copilot focuses on code, IDEs, and software development, and is charged separately.

Is Microsoft Copilot open source?

The core products are not open-source projects. Microsoft has made the Agents SDK, Agent Framework, and examples available, but it does not provide complete models and services.