Microsoft Copilot Capabilities Guide
Copilot (Web / Pro) - Everyday AI Companion
This version focuses on general knowledge, creativity, and web-grounded tasks, accessible via web, Windows, Edge, and mobile apps. Powered by models like GPT-4 and DALL-E 3.
Core Free Features
- Conversational AI: Ask questions, get explanations, summarize text, brainstorm ideas, write drafts (emails, code, stories, etc.).
- Web Grounding: Accesses up-to-date information from Bing search with citations.
- Image Generation: Create AI images via Designer (15 free daily boosts).
- Model Access: Uses GPT-4 / GPT-4 Turbo (non-peak times).
- Multimodal Input: Accepts text, voice, and image inputs.
- Copilot GPTs: Access specialized Copilots (e.g., Cooking, Travel).
- Integrations: Built into Windows 11, Edge sidebar, mobile apps.
- Recent Features: New voices, Android Phone Connection.
Copilot Pro Added Benefits ($20/month)
- Priority Access: Use latest/most powerful models (like GPT-4 Turbo) even during peak hours.
- Enhanced Image Generation: 100 daily boosts in Designer.
- Copilot in M365 Web Apps: Use Copilot in web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., *without* an M365 subscription.
- Copilot in M365 Desktop/Mobile Apps: Unlocks Copilot in full apps *if you also have* an M365 Personal/Family subscription.
- Custom Copilot GPT Builder: Create your own GPTs.
- Copilot Labs Access: Early access to experimental features.
Microsoft 365 Copilot in Your Workflow
Integrated into M365 apps (for licensed users), this version leverages your work context (emails, files, meetings via Microsoft Graph) securely.
Key App Integrations (April 2025)
- Word: Draft from prompts/files, summarize, rewrite, format, reference work content.
- Excel: Analyze data, generate formulas, create charts/PivotTables, identify insights, use web data, handle larger datasets.
- PowerPoint: Create presentations from prompts/docs, summarize, design slides, generate speaker notes.
- Outlook: Summarize threads, draft replies (with tone control), prioritize inbox, extract action items.
- Teams: Recap meetings (transcription optional), summarize chats, find info, draft messages, use specialized agents (Interpreter, Facilitator).
- OneDrive: Summarize files and ask questions about content, including text within images.
- Loop: Collaborative drafting, brainstorming, summarizing within Loop workspaces.
- OneNote: Draft notes, summarize pages, create plans and lists.
M365 Copilot's primary advantage is its ability to understand and utilize your specific work documents, emails, and meeting context (respecting your permissions) to provide relevant assistance.
M365 Copilot Chat & Specialized Agents
Beyond individual apps, M365 Copilot offers a central chat experience and leverages a growing ecosystem of agents.
Copilot Chat (Work Context)
- Central AI assistant grounded in your Microsoft Graph data.
- Accessible in Teams, M365.com, M365 App, Win+C shortcut.
- Ask questions across your work content (files, emails, chats, calendar).
- Generate content based on internal data.
- Supports file/image uploads for context.
- Can invoke specific built-in or custom agents.
Agent Ecosystem
- Built-in Microsoft Agents: Includes agents like Researcher (deep analysis), Analyst (data insights), specialized agents for Sales, Security, Development, Teams (Interpreter, Facilitator), and the new People Skills agent.
- Custom Agents (Copilot Studio): Build tailored agents for specific internal processes or knowledge using low-code tools.
- Partner Agents: Integrate third-party agents via the upcoming Agent Store.
Agents allow Copilot to perform more complex, multi-step tasks or access specialized knowledge beyond basic chat generation, acting more like automated assistants for specific roles or processes.
Extensibility & Security
Microsoft provides robust tools for extending Copilot and emphasizes enterprise-grade security and compliance.
Extensibility Options
- Copilot Studio: Build, manage, publish custom Copilots, GPTs, plugins. Connect to Power Platform or custom APIs. Define conversational flows and topics.
- Microsoft Graph Connectors: Ingest external enterprise data (databases, SaaS apps, file shares, websites) into Microsoft Graph so Copilot can securely reason over it alongside M365 data.
- Plugins: Enable Copilot to interact with external systems in real-time (e.g., file tickets, query databases, check inventory).
Security & Privacy (Enterprise)
- Data Boundary: Prompts, responses, and accessed data stay within the M365 service boundary.
- Permissions Enforced: Copilot only accesses data the user has existing permissions for.
- No Foundation Model Training: Your organizational data is *not* used to train OpenAI's or Microsoft's large language models.
- Compliance: Adheres to M365 commitments (GDPR, EU Data Boundary, HIPAA etc.).
- Information Protection: Respects sensitivity labels (Microsoft Purview).
- Monitoring: Integrates with Purview for compliance and auditing.
Microsoft explicitly states that interactions within M365 Copilot by licensed enterprise users are protected and not used for training public models.