If you use Windows, Microsoft Edge, Word, Excel or Outlook, there’s a good chance you’ve already come across Microsoft Copilot.
You may even have used it.
But what exactly is Microsoft Copilot, and what can you actually do with it?
More importantly, is it useful enough to earn a place in your AI Toolbox?
Let's take a look.
So, what is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant.
At its simplest, you can ask it questions, get help with writing, brainstorm ideas, summarise information, create images and search the web for answers.
The free version is available through the Copilot website and app, and Microsoft says it can be used for general questions, writing, brainstorming, web-based tasks and image creation.
You don't necessarily need a Microsoft 365 subscription to try it.
And that's worth knowing.
What can Copilot actually do?
Quite a lot.
✍️ Writing
You can give Copilot a rough idea and ask it to turn that idea into something more polished.
For example:
"Write a professional email asking a customer to confirm their appointment."
Or:
"Rewrite this paragraph so it sounds friendlier."
It can also help with brainstorming headlines, social media posts, letters, CVs and other everyday writing.
🔎 Research and questions
Copilot can search the web and provide answers based on current information.
That makes it useful when you want to find information rather than simply ask an AI to rely on what it already knows.
You can also ask follow-up questions and continue the conversation.
🖼️ Creating images
Copilot can create images from text instructions.
You could describe the kind of image you want for a blog post, social media post or presentation and let Copilot produce one.
As always, the better you describe what you want, the better chance you have of getting something useful.
📄 Working with Microsoft 365
This is where things get particularly interesting.
If you're using Microsoft 365, Copilot can work inside apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, depending on your subscription.
For example, Copilot in Word can help create a first draft.
In Outlook, it can help summarise long email conversations or assist with writing replies.
In PowerPoint, it can help turn an idea into a presentation.
And in Excel, it can help analyse information and work with data.
Microsoft is continuing to add features across its apps, so exactly what you can do depends on the Microsoft 365 plan you're using.
And what about the free version?
This is where things can get confusing.
There isn't just one "Copilot."
The free Microsoft Copilot can be used for things such as:
Questions and answers
Writing and brainstorming
Web searches
Summarising information
Image creation
File uploads and other features, subject to limits
You can use it through the web or the Copilot app.
Microsoft says that signing in can give you access to additional features such as chat history, image creation, longer conversations and voice interactions.
Then there is Copilot within Microsoft 365, which brings AI into Microsoft's productivity apps.
So if you already pay for Microsoft 365, it's worth checking exactly what Copilot benefits your particular subscription includes.
Can Copilot help you make money?
Not directly.
It isn't going to magically create an income for you.
But it can potentially save you time, and time can have a value.
Imagine you're running a small business.
You could use Copilot to help:
Draft customer emails
Create marketing ideas
Write product descriptions
Summarise documents
Prepare presentations
Analyse information
Brainstorm social media content
Create images
The real benefit isn't "Copilot will make you money."
It's more realistic to say:
Copilot could help you spend less time doing some of the work.
What you do with that extra time is up to you.
What does it cost?
This is where you need to pay attention.
Microsoft Copilot itself has a free option.
Microsoft also offers Copilot as part of various Microsoft 365 subscriptions, with different features and usage limits depending on the plan.
For example, Microsoft 365 Personal currently includes Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, with higher usage than the free version for selected features.
So before paying for anything, check what you already have.
You might already be paying for Microsoft 365 and have Copilot available.
One thing I would remember
Don't assume that because Copilot is made by Microsoft, it will always give you the perfect answer.
It won't.
AI can misunderstand your request, make mistakes or give you information that needs checking.
The same rule we've used throughout the AI Toolbox still applies:
AI can help you with the work. You still need to check the work.
My verdict
Microsoft Copilot is an interesting addition to the AI Toolbox because it isn't simply another chatbot.
The free version is useful for everyday questions, writing, research and images.
But if you already use Microsoft 365, Copilot becomes much more interesting because it can sit alongside the tools many people already use for work and personal projects.
And perhaps that's its biggest advantage.
You don't necessarily have to learn an entirely new system.
Copilot is already sitting inside an ecosystem you may already know.
⭐ Striv verdict: Worth trying
If you've never used Copilot, try the free version before spending any money.
Ask it something useful.
Give it a piece of writing.
Ask it to summarise something.
Create an image.
Then decide for yourself whether it deserves a place in your toolbox.
Because that's what this series is about:
trying these tools and finding out where they are actually useful.
Quick recap
Tool: Microsoft Copilot
Free option: Yes
Can it write? Yes
Can it research? Yes
Can it create images? Yes
Can it work with Microsoft 365? Yes, depending on your subscription
Can it save you time? Potentially
Can it make money for you? Not by itself
The question is: what would YOU ask Copilot to do? 🤔
