Microsoft · AI assistant
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, launched as Bing Chat in February 2023 and renamed Copilot in November 2023, that answers questions, writes and creates images in its own app and works inside Windows, Edge, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Made by
- Microsoft
- Type
- AI assistant
- Launched
- February 2023 (as Bing Chat)
Facts checked
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is a free app for the web, Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android, and it is built into Microsoft's own products: on Windows 11 it opens with the Copilot key or Windows key + C, it sits in the Edge browser, and it works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook.
The free app has usage limits. Home users get Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps with Microsoft 365 Personal ($9.99 a month) or Family ($12.99), and Microsoft 365 Premium ($19.99) and Pro ($99.99) add higher limits and advanced features such as agents for research and analysis. On Family plans, only the subscription owner can use Copilot.
Businesses use Microsoft 365 Copilot, which works with company email, chats and documents under enterprise data protection. It runs on models Microsoft selects, including OpenAI's GPT-5.6 family.
Microsoft Copilot key facts
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Type | AI assistant built into Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365 |
| First released | February 2023 as Bing Chat; renamed Copilot on November 15, 2023 |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; Microsoft Edge |
| Free tier | Yes, with usage limits |
| Home plans with Copilot (US) | Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/month, Family $12.99, Premium $19.99, Pro $99.99 |
| Works inside | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Teams |
| For businesses | Microsoft 365 Copilot |
Microsoft Copilot compared
Guides that cover Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot FAQ
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Yes. The Copilot app for the web, Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android is free with usage limits. To use Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook at home, you need Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium or Pro.
Is Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
No. Copilot is Microsoft's assistant and ChatGPT is OpenAI's. Microsoft uses OpenAI models among others in its Copilot products, but the two have separate apps, plans, features and privacy settings.
Can I turn off Copilot?
Yes. On Windows 11 you can uninstall the Copilot app from Settings, in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote you can clear the Enable Copilot checkbox, and in the new Outlook you can switch off the Turn on Copilot toggle.
Can my family use Copilot on Microsoft 365 Family?
Family members share the apps and cloud storage, but Copilot features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are available only to the subscription owner. Other family members need their own eligible subscription.
Sources
Every fact on this page is checked against a vendor announcement, documentation or a named news report.
- Copilot pricing plans for individuals — Microsofthttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/pricing/individuals
- Getting started with Copilot on Windows — Microsofthttps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/welcome-to-copilot-on-windows-675708af-8c16-4675-afeb-85a5a476ccb0
- Our vision to bring Microsoft Copilot to everyone, and more — Microsoft Bing Blogshttps://blogs.bing.com/search/november-2023/our-vision-to-bring-microsoft-copilot-to-everyone-and-more
- Available today: OpenAI's GPT-5.6 in Microsoft 365 Copilot — Microsofthttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/available-today-openai%E2%80%99s-gpt-5-6-in-microsoft-365-copilot/4533152
- Turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps — Microsofthttps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/turn-off-copilot-in-microsoft-365-apps