AI WORLD HQGetting started with Microsoft Copilot in everyday apps
Learn how to find and use Microsoft Copilot inside Windows, Edge and Office to automate simple tasks in minutes
By the end of this guide, you'll know where Microsoft Copilot lives on your Windows PC, how to bring it up, and you'll have completed a useful first task. Imagine turning a rough email into a tidy summary, or getting a quick overview of a long web page – that's what Copilot helps you do. This tutorial is for anyone who wants a quicker, smarter way to work, whether you're handling personal errands or day-to-day office duties.
💡 Tip: tap a step’s number when you finish it — a green tick appears and your browser remembers how far you got.
- You have a Windows 11 PC (or a later version) with a working internet connection.
- You are signed in with a Microsoft account (the same one you use for Windows, Outlook, or Office).
- Your built-in apps – Microsoft Edge, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint – are up to date (they usually update automatically in the background).
- Some features, especially within Office apps like Word or PowerPoint, may require a Microsoft 365 subscription and potentially a separate Copilot Pro subscription for full functionality. This guide focuses on features generally available or easily accessible.
- Rough total time: This guide should take you about 5-10 minutes to follow along with.
Spot the Copilot icon
The Copilot icon acts like a little helper button in Microsoft Edge. To begin, open Microsoft Edge, your internet browser. Look closely at the top-right corner of the browser window, or sometimes near the address bar where you type website names.
What you see on screen: You'll typically see several small icons. Look for the Copilot icon – it usually stands out with its distinct color and may appear as a speech bubble design or the word "Copilot" depending on your Edge version. What happens next: Nothing happens yet when you just spot it; you're just identifying your starting point. If it looks different: If you don't see it there, look for a small panel that slides out from the right side of your screen if Copilot is already active in Edge. In some versions, the icon may appear in the browser's toolbar after you update Edge.
You'll know it worked when: You can clearly see the Copilot icon in your Microsoft Edge browser window.
Open Copilot in Microsoft Edge
Once you've spotted the Copilot icon in Microsoft Edge, it's time to activate it. Click on that distinctive button. This action is like tapping a friend on the shoulder to get their attention.
What you see on screen: After clicking, a small menu might drop down with options, or a side panel will slide out from the right side of your browser window. This panel is where you'll chat with Copilot. What happens next: The Copilot side panel will appear, usually showing a text box at the bottom labeled "Ask me anything" or "Type your prompt here". This means it's ready for your instructions. If it looks different: If a menu appears, look for an option like "Ask Copilot" or "Open Copilot" and click that. If the icon isn't there, ensure your Edge browser is up to date and that Windows 11 is installed.
You'll know it worked when: The Copilot side panel is open on the right of your Edge browser, and you see a text input area ready for your question or command. Copilot cannot interact with or directly control other browser tabs, only read the content of the currently open page.
Use Copilot in Outlook to tidy an email
Microsoft Copilot can help you quickly understand lengthy emails, saving you time. First, open your Microsoft Outlook application and select an email that has a good amount of text or information.
What you see on screen: With the email open, look for the Copilot icon – usually located in the top toolbar of the email window, or sometimes just above the email's body text. The appearance may vary depending on your Outlook version. What happens next: Clicking the Copilot icon will likely open a small text box or a panel. This is where you'll tell Copilot what you want it to do with the email. If it looks different: If the Copilot icon isn't immediately visible, check under a "…" (More options) menu, or look for a "Summarize" or "Draft with Copilot" button on the ribbon (the main toolbar at the top). Please note that advanced Copilot features in Office apps typically require a Microsoft 365 subscription and often Copilot Pro.
You'll know it worked when: Copilot displays a concise summary of the email, usually within the Copilot panel or as a draft reply, often presented as bullet points, based on your instruction. Copilot can draft the summary, but it cannot send an email on your behalf or fully understand highly nuanced human emotion or sarcasm.
Generate a slide outline in PowerPoint
Getting started with a presentation can be daunting, but Copilot can quickly create a structure for you. Open Microsoft PowerPoint and start a new, blank presentation. This gives Copilot a clean slate to work with.
What you see on screen: Look for the Copilot button on the "ribbon" at the top of the PowerPoint window. The ribbon is the wide toolbar containing all your editing options. The Copilot button may appear as a button labeled "Copilot" or with the Copilot icon. What happens next: Clicking this button will open a Copilot panel or a text box, similar to how it worked in Edge or Outlook. This is where you'll input your request for the presentation outline. If it looks different: If you can't find the Copilot option on the ribbon, check under the "Home" or "Insert" tabs, or look for a "Designer" or "Ideas" button that might link to AI features. Full Copilot integration for generating outlines in PowerPoint usually requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot Pro.
You'll know it worked when: Copilot generates a list of slide titles and perhaps some key talking points, displayed in the Copilot panel. This outline can then be copied or inserted into your presentation. Copilot provides a structure, but it cannot create polished graphics, write every word of your speech, or ensure the content is perfectly accurate without your review.
Access Copilot directly in Windows
Copilot can also be accessed as a quick assistant, though the implementation varies by Windows version and update. The most reliable way to use Copilot is through the individual apps (Edge, Office apps) rather than a system-wide Windows panel.
What you see on screen: One way to access Copilot quickly is to open Microsoft Edge and use the Copilot panel there (see Steps 1-2). Alternatively, if your version of Windows includes Copilot, you may find it accessible through the Start menu or search. What happens next: A Copilot panel will appear, displaying a text input field prompting you to "Ask me anything". If it looks different: The availability of a system-wide Copilot assistant in Windows has changed across updates. If you don't see a dedicated Copilot button or panel in Windows itself, that's expected – the primary way to use Copilot on a Windows PC is through Microsoft Edge or the Office apps. Look for Copilot in Edge or search for it in your app launcher.
You'll know it worked when: The Copilot panel appears, and after you type your question and press Enter, Copilot displays the requested information directly in the panel. Copilot can answer quick questions in Edge, but it cannot manage complex file operations or delve deep into app-specific features from this interface.
- Clicking the wrong icon: Some apps display a "Help" bubble or a general chat icon that looks similar to Copilot's. Always make sure you're clicking the one that specifically indicates "Copilot".
- Leaving the query too vague: Simply typing "Help me" often leads to broad or unhelpful answers. Instead, provide clear, specific instructions. For example, rather than "Summarize this," try "Summarize this email in three bullet points, highlighting the deadlines."
- Forgetting to sign in: Copilot relies on your Microsoft account to access certain features and integrate with your documents securely. If you see a sign-in prompt, follow the steps to log in before proceeding. Without being signed in, many Copilot features will be unavailable or limited.
Open Microsoft Edge, browse to any news website you like, then click the Copilot icon in the top-right corner. In the text box that appears, type Summarise the main article on this homepage in two short sentences. In the next two minutes, you'll see how Copilot quickly pulls the main ideas together – giving you a practical taste of how it can help you across all your everyday apps.
❓ Quick questions
How long does this take?
About 6 minutes — the guide has 5 steps, and you can tick each one off as you go.
Which tool do I need?
This guide uses Microsoft Copilot — but the approach works very similarly in other AI assistants.
Do I need to prepare anything?
- You have a Windows 11 PC (or a later version) with a working internet connection.
- You are signed in with a Microsoft account (the same one you use for Windows, Outlook, or Office).
- Your built-in apps – Microsoft Edge, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint – are up to date (they usually update automatically in the background).
- Some features, especially within Office apps like Word or PowerPoint, may require a Microsoft 365 subscription and potentially a separate Copilot Pro subscription for full functionality. This guide focuses on features generally available or easily accessible.
- Rough total time: This guide should take you about 5-10 minutes to follow along with.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Clicking the wrong icon: Some apps display a "Help" bubble or a general chat icon that looks similar to Copilot's. Always make sure you're clicking the one that specifically indicates "Copilot".
- Leaving the query too vague: Simply typing "Help me" often leads to broad or unhelpful answers. Instead, provide clear, specific instructions. For example, rather than "Summarize this," try "Summarize this email in three bullet points, highlighting the deadlines."
- Forgetting to sign in: Copilot relies on your Microsoft account to access certain features and integrate with your documents securely. If you see a sign-in prompt, follow the steps to log in before proceeding. Without being signed in, many Copilot features will be unavailable or limited.
Keep reading
✦ Original step-by-step guide by AI World HQ's AI editorial team. Written in plain language, reviewed for accuracy.
☕ Free to read, no ads, no paywall — readers keep it going. Support us (one-off or monthly)
← Back to all stories