Copilot in Outlook works as a sidebar tool that drafts emails, summarizes messages, and suggests replies without leaving your inbox

Copilot is built into Outlook on the web and newer desktop versions, but you need to turn it on in your settings. Once enabled, you'll see a Copilot button in your toolbar that opens a panel on the right side of your screen. From there, you can ask it to write an email from scratch, rewrite something you've already typed, or summarize a long message thread.

The feature works best if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription (the paid version of Office). If you use the free Outlook.com account, Copilot may not be available yet in your region. The steps differ slightly between Outlook on the web and the desktop app, so this guide covers both.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot is already installed in Outlook on the web and the desktop app — you just need to enable it in settings.
  • You must have a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Copilot; free Outlook.com accounts do not have access yet.
  • Once enabled, Copilot appears as a button in your toolbar and opens a panel where you can draft, rewrite, or summarize emails.
  • Copilot can draft a full email from a short prompt, rewrite an email you've already started, or summarize a conversation thread.

Enable Copilot in Outlook on the Web

Open Outlook.com in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Look at the top right corner of the screen — you should see a gear icon. Click it and select View all Outlook settings.

In the settings menu, click Mail on the left side, then scroll down until you find Copilot. You'll see a toggle switch next to it. Click the toggle to turn it on. The page will refresh automatically, and you're done — Copilot is now active in your inbox.

Go back to your inbox and look for the Copilot icon in the toolbar at the top. It looks like a small sparkle or star symbol. If you don't see it right away, refresh the page in your browser. Once you click it, a panel will open on the right side of your screen.

Enable Copilot in Outlook Desktop App

If you use Outlook on your computer (Windows or Mac), the process is slightly different. Open Outlook and go to File in the top menu, then click Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac).

Look for General or AI Features in the left menu — the exact name depends on your Outlook version. Find the toggle for Copilot and turn it on. Close the settings window and return to your inbox. The Copilot button should now appear in your toolbar, usually near the top right of the compose area.

If you don't see the button after enabling it, close Outlook completely and open it again. Sometimes the desktop app needs a restart to show new features.

Draft a New Email with Copilot

Click the Copilot button to open the panel on the right. You'll see a text box that says something like "Draft with Copilot" or "Compose". Type a short description of what you want the email to say. For example: "Write a professional email asking my manager for a meeting next week to discuss my project."

Copilot will generate a full draft in a few seconds. Read it over — you can edit it directly in the draft box before sending. If you don't like the tone or content, you can ask Copilot to rewrite it. Type a new instruction like "Make this more casual" or "Add a specific date and time."

Once you're happy with the draft, click Insert or Use this (the button name varies). The email will appear in your compose window, and you can add a recipient, subject line, and any final touches before hitting send.

Rewrite an Email You've Already Started

If you've already begun typing an email and want Copilot to improve it, select the text you've written. Open the Copilot panel and look for an option like Rewrite or Refine. Tell Copilot what you want changed — for example, "Make this shorter" or "Use a friendlier tone."

Copilot will suggest a revised version. You can accept it, ask for another revision, or go back to your original text. This is useful when you've written something but aren't sure it sounds right, or when you need to adjust the formality level for a different audience.

Summarize a Long Email Thread

When you're reading an email with many replies, Copilot can pull out the main points. Open the email thread and click the Copilot button. Select an option like Summarize or Get the gist. Copilot will read through all the messages and show you a brief summary of what was discussed and any action items.

This saves time when you're catching up on a conversation you missed or need to understand the key points before replying. The summary appears in the Copilot panel, and you can copy it or use it as a reference while you compose your response.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you've turned on Copilot but don't see the button in your toolbar, make sure you're using a supported version of Outlook. Copilot works in Outlook on the web and Outlook for Windows (version 2304 or later) and Outlook for Mac (version 16.80 or later). Older versions don't have the feature yet.

If you have a free Outlook.com account, Copilot may not be available in your region. Microsoft is rolling out the feature gradually, so it might appear for you later. Check back in your settings in a few weeks. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot still isn't showing up, try signing out of Outlook completely, closing your browser or app, and signing back in.

On the desktop app, if Copilot is enabled but the button doesn't appear, restart Outlook. Sometimes the interface doesn't update until you close and reopen the program. If it still doesn't work, check that your Windows or Mac operating system is up to date, as Outlook relies on system-level features to run Copilot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a paid Microsoft 365 subscription to use Copilot in Outlook?

Yes, Copilot is a Microsoft 365 feature. Free Outlook.com accounts do not have access yet, though Microsoft may expand it later. If you have a work or school account through your organization, your IT department can enable it for you.

Can Copilot read my emails and learn from them?

Copilot reads the email you're working on to draft or rewrite it, but it doesn't store your messages or use them to train itself. Microsoft says your email content is not used to improve Copilot for other users. Your data stays in your account.

What if Copilot's draft isn't what I wanted?

You can ask it to rewrite the draft as many times as you need. Be specific about what you want changed — "Make it shorter," "Use technical language," or "Add a call to action" all work better than just "Try again." You can also edit the draft yourself before sending.

Does Copilot work on my phone or tablet?

Copilot in Outlook is available on the web version and desktop apps. The mobile app for Outlook on iPhone and Android does not have Copilot yet. Use Outlook.com in your phone's browser if you want to access Copilot on the go.

Can I turn off Copilot if I don't want to use it?

Yes, go back to your Outlook settings and toggle Copilot off. The button will disappear from your toolbar, and Copilot won't appear in your inbox. You can turn it back on anytime by following the same steps.