Copilot was first introduced as Bing Chat in February 2023. This was followed by the announcement of Copilot for Microsoft 365 in June and Copilot as a Windows 11 tool. 

Both began rolling out to users in the fall of 2023.

If you also want to try using this powerful tool but are not sure about its workability, you are at the right place. Our team checked out Microsoft Copilot to guide you through its usage and features. Check out the Microsoft Copilot review below to make the most of it. 

Using Microsoft Copilot is very easy. All you have to do is visit Microsoft’s official site and click on the Copilot tab. From there, you can either chat with its AI chatbot or integrate it with one of the products.

This review focuses on testing Copilot’s integration with Windows and selecting Microsoft apps.  Copilot in Windows assists with basic operating system features and provides a chat and search experience similar to its online counterpart. Copilot shines in its ability to provide clear instructions instead of just search results.

Windows Integration

As an integrated part of Windows, users want Copilot to handle more complex tasks independently rather than simply providing instructions. OpenAI is reportedly working on AI technology that will control operating systems and browsers.

Copilot can also answer general research questions and write creative verses. Its integration with the Edge browser is particularly useful. This feature, which must be manually enabled, allows Copilot to reference the sites you’re browsing, combining this with its web-browsing capabilities to become a powerful research tool. It can summarize articles and browse the web to answer additional questions while retaining context.

How to Get Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft is doing a commendable job of bringing generative AI functionality to Windows. 

Its pro version costs £19, roughly 3.5 times the cost of the Microsoft 365 Personal account it requires. Copilot for Microsoft 365, which offers additional app integrations like Teams, comes in at £24.70 per user per month, again, around 3.5 times the cost of the supported business plans.

Here’s how you can access it

• Download the App: You can download the Copilot app from the Microsoft website.
• Free Trial: Try the free version of Copilot to experience its capabilities. Copilot Pro: For individual users, Copilot Pro offers advanced features.
• Business Subscription: Organizations can bring Copilot to their teams with a Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium subscription.

Copilot Plugins

Microsoft 365 Integration

Copilot now integrates with Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office). This functionality was initially limited to enterprise licence customers with a minimum of 300 seats but has gradually become more accessible. Microsoft expanded access to Business Premium and Standard customers, removing the 300-user minimum. Home users can also access Copilot functionality in Microsoft 365 apps through Copilot Pro, accessed via a Microsoft 365 Personal account (£19 per month per user at the time of writing).

Using Copilot in Word gives you a dedicated icon within the document, and the results are impressive. Integrating Microsoft Copilot with different Office 365 products involves ensuring you have the correct setup and permissions. Here’s a brief guide for each product:

These steps ensure that Microsoft Copilot is integrated and accessible within your Office 365 products.

Word

1. Update Office: Ensure your Office apps are updated to the latest version.

2. Enable Copilot: Go to `File > Options > Add-ins`, then manage COM Add-ins and check “Copilot”.

3. Use Copilot: Access Copilot from the “Home” or “Review” tab to start generating content and suggestions.

 PowerPoint

1. Update Office: Verify your Office apps are up to date.

2. Enable Copilot: Go to `File > Options > Add-ins`, manage COM Add-ins, and activate “Copilot”.

3. Use Copilot: Use Copilot from the “Home” or “Design” tab to assist with slide creation and design enhancements.

Outlook

1. Update Office: Ensure your Office software is updated.

2. Enable Copilot: Go to `File > Options > Add-ins`, select COM Add-ins, and enable “Copilot”.

3. Use Copilot: Access Copilot in the email composition window or the toolbar for drafting emails and inbox management.

Teams

1. Update Teams: Make sure Microsoft Teams is updated.

2. Enable Copilot: Administrators need to enable Copilot from the Teams Admin Center under `Teams apps > Manage apps`.

3. Use Copilot: Utilize Copilot during meetings and in chats for summarizing discussions and generating action items.

What else do you need?

1. Subscription: Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Copilot.

2. Permissions: Make sure necessary permissions are granted for Copilot to access your Office 365 environment.

Application of Copilot Integration

Copilot is an AI-powered productivity tool that can enhance your work across various Microsoft 365 applications. Here’s how you can use it for improving productivity, and efficiency.

Copilot Microsoft 365 Applications

Microsoft 365 Application	Copilot Functionalities
MS Word	Quick Answers, Content Creation, Design Assistance
OneNote	Note-Taking, Research, Task Management
Excel	Formulas and Functions, Data Analysis, Automated Workflows
PowerPoint & Outlook 365	Presentation Enhancement, Email Composition, Calendar Management

Conclusion

From the above review we conclude that Microsoft Copilot is an AI-based tool designed to leverage the Microsoft ecosystem. Copilot demonstrates the potential to improve performance and user experience, from seamless integration with Windows and Office 365 products to the ability to support a variety of tasks from simple workflows to complex research. 

It has many functions, easy access and integration steps, making it difficult for users and organisations to decide to purchase it. As Microsoft continues to improve and expand Copilot's capabilities, it remains an excellent choice for those looking for innovative solutions in AI-powered productivity tools. It easily integrates with Office and Windows to provide more benefits and make users' lives easier. 

Microsoft has come a long way with generative AI. However, whether you want to use it or not, will depend on your requirements, and your budget. We hope the above review will help you make the right choice.