Where to find Copilot and how to start using it

Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, and you can reach it through several routes depending on what device you use and what you're trying to do. The fastest way for most people is to visit copilot.microsoft.com in any web browser — no account required for basic use. If you use Windows 11, Copilot is built into your taskbar as a button you can click. On iPhone or Android, you can download the Copilot app from the App Store or Google Play. If you use Microsoft Edge as your browser, there's a Copilot button in the top right corner of the window.

Each route gives you the same core tool: you type a question or request, and Copilot generates a response. The web version works on any computer, phone, or tablet. The Windows button is quickest if you're already on your desktop. The mobile app is useful if you want Copilot available on your phone without opening a browser. The Edge button is convenient if you're already reading something and want to ask Copilot about it without switching windows.

Key Takeaways

  • You can use Copilot free at copilot.microsoft.com, through the Windows 11 taskbar, or in the Microsoft Edge browser without signing in.
  • A Microsoft account (free to create) unlocks conversation history, so Copilot remembers what you asked before in the same chat.
  • Copilot can write, summarize, answer questions, and brainstorm, but it sometimes generates incorrect information that sounds confident.
  • The free version has usage limits — if you hit them, you can wait a few hours or sign in with a Microsoft account to get more requests.
  • Copilot Pro is a paid subscription ($20 per month) that removes limits and adds access to advanced models, but the free version handles most everyday tasks.

Using Copilot without signing in versus with an account

You do not need a Microsoft account to use Copilot. If you visit copilot.microsoft.com or click the Copilot button in Windows or Edge, you can start typing questions immediately. Each conversation is separate — Copilot will not remember what you asked in a previous session. This is useful if you want to keep your activity private or if you do not want to create an account.

If you create a free Microsoft account (or sign in with one you already have), Copilot saves your conversation history. This means if you ask Copilot something on Monday and then ask a follow-up question on Tuesday, it will remember the context from Monday. You also get a higher request limit before hitting the usage cap. Creating a Microsoft account takes a few minutes — you need an email address and a password. You can use any email, including Gmail or Yahoo.

What Copilot can and cannot do

Copilot is useful for writing, summarizing, brainstorming, and answering factual questions. You can ask it to write an email, explain a concept, generate ideas for a project, or summarize a long article. You can paste text into Copilot and ask it to rewrite it in a different tone or style. You can ask it to help you debug code, plan a trip, or work through a problem step by step.

The important limitation is that Copilot sometimes generates information that is incorrect but sounds confident. It does not have real-time access to the internet, so it cannot tell you today's weather or current stock prices. It cannot access your personal files, email, or calendar unless you specifically share them with it. It cannot perform actions on your behalf — it can only generate text. If you use Copilot for factual claims (medical advice, legal information, financial decisions), verify the answer with a reliable source before acting on it.

Understanding usage limits and when you hit them

The free version of Copilot has a usage limit — you can make a certain number of requests per day or per rolling window before you need to wait. The exact limit varies and Microsoft does not publish a specific number, but most people using Copilot casually will not hit it. If you do hit the limit, you will see a message saying you have reached your limit and need to wait a few hours before making more requests.

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, your limit is higher. If you subscribe to Copilot Pro ($20 per month), there is no limit — you can make as many requests as you want. For most everyday use, the free limit is not a problem. If you use Copilot heavily for work or creative projects, Copilot Pro removes the constraint.

Copilot Pro and when it makes sense to pay

Copilot Pro is a paid subscription that costs $20 per month. It removes usage limits, gives you priority access to the service during busy times, and lets you use advanced AI models (like GPT-4) that are more capable than the free version. You also get access to features like image generation and the ability to create custom GPTs (simplified AI tools tailored to specific tasks).

For most people, the free version is enough. You get the same core Copilot experience — you can ask questions, write, brainstorm, and summarize. The advanced models in Copilot Pro are useful if you are doing complex creative work, writing code, or need Copilot to handle nuanced reasoning. If you hit the usage limit regularly or need image generation, Copilot Pro removes friction. If you use Copilot occasionally, the free version handles it.

How to use Copilot in Microsoft Edge and Office apps

If you use Microsoft Edge, you can click the Copilot button in the top right corner of the browser window. This opens Copilot in a sidebar next to whatever webpage you are reading. You can ask Copilot to summarize the page, explain a concept mentioned on it, or answer questions about the content. This is useful if you are researching something and want to ask follow-up questions without leaving the page.

In Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Copilot features are available if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or Copilot Pro. In Word, you can use Copilot to draft content, rewrite text, or generate ideas. In Excel, Copilot can help you analyze data or write formulas. In Outlook, Copilot can help you draft emails. These integrations work within the app itself — you do not need to open a separate Copilot window.

Privacy and what happens to your conversations

When you use Copilot without signing in, Microsoft stores your conversation for a limited time (typically 24 hours) for safety and abuse prevention, then deletes it. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your conversation history is saved to your account so you can access it later. You can delete individual conversations or clear your entire history at any time by going to your Copilot settings.

Copilot does not use your conversations to train its models — Microsoft has stated this publicly. However, your conversations are stored on Microsoft's servers. If privacy is a concern, you can use Copilot without signing in, which limits how long Microsoft keeps your data. You can also delete conversations manually after each session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to use Copilot?

No. You can use Copilot free at copilot.microsoft.com or through Windows and Edge without paying. Copilot Pro ($20 per month) removes usage limits and adds advanced features, but the free version works for most everyday tasks.

Can Copilot access my files or email?

Not unless you share them. Copilot cannot see your personal files, email, or calendar by default. You can paste text or upload files into a conversation if you want Copilot to work with them, but it does not have standing access to your accounts.

What should I do if Copilot gives me wrong information?

Verify it with another source before acting on it. Copilot sometimes generates plausible-sounding answers that are incorrect. For medical, legal, or financial questions, always check Copilot's answer against reliable sources or consult a professional.

Can I use Copilot on my phone?

Yes. Download the Copilot app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), or visit copilot.microsoft.com in your phone's browser. Both work the same way.

What is the difference between Copilot and ChatGPT?

Both are AI assistants that answer questions and generate text. Copilot is made by Microsoft and integrates with Windows, Edge, and Office. ChatGPT is made by OpenAI. They use different underlying models and have different features. Copilot is free to use; ChatGPT has a free version and a paid version.