To add a plugin in Copilot Cowork, open a Cowork conversation or its home page, select +, then choose Customize. Find and inspect the plugin, acquire it, and turn it on in the Sources & Skills panel. Some plugins also connect to an external service and require a separate sign-in or consent step.
These instructions reflect Microsoft’s documentation as of October 4, 2026. What you see can vary by account type, organization settings, and the Cowork interface available to you.
Check that your account can use Cowork
For work or school accounts, Microsoft lists a Microsoft Copilot license, Cowork enabled in the organization’s Copilot environment, and usage-based and Cowork billing enabled as prerequisites. An organization can also limit which plugins are available. For a personal account, Microsoft Support describes Cowork as a Preview feature that requires an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription. Check Microsoft Support and your organization’s guidance for current eligibility details. [The available source URL for these requirements is c002, but no exact URL was supplied.]
Microsoft describes Cowork as available in a browser and the Copilot desktop app. The documented plugin workflow begins from a Cowork conversation or home page; menus and availability may differ depending on your account and tenant. See Microsoft’s Copilot Cowork plugin guide for the documented workflow. [The available source URL for this guide is c001, but no exact URL was supplied.]
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Find and add a plugin
- Open Cowork. Start a Cowork conversation or go to the Cowork home page.
- Open the catalog. Select +, then Customize. Scroll through the available plugins or search by name or category.
- Inspect the listing. Check the publisher, description, skills, and connectors. A plugin may include a skill, a connector, or both; the listing helps you understand what it offers.
- Acquire the plugin. Use the acquisition action shown on its listing. If the plugin is not listed, it may be unavailable under your organization’s policy or require administrator approval.
- Enable it for the conversation. Open Sources & Skills and toggle on the plugin you acquired. Its skills appear alongside Cowork’s built-in skills. Relevant skills may activate based on the conversation, so a special invocation phrase is not always needed.
An administrator can also deploy a plugin so that it appears automatically. You can toggle an admin-deployed plugin for your own sessions, but you cannot uninstall it.
Understand skills, connectors, and access
Microsoft describes the distinction this way: “A plugin can contain skills, connectors, or both.” A skill gives Cowork specialized instructions or expertise for a task. A connector links Cowork to an external service or data source. Plugin skills can work with files attached to the conversation and with earlier messages in it.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Adding a plugin does not automatically grant access to a connected service. For organizational sources, administrators control which connectors are available, and the connector respects the permissions you have in the underlying service. Some connections require authentication. Microsoft’s connector guidance explains these controls. [The available source URL for this guidance is c003, but no exact URL was supplied.]
Connect a plugin to an external service
- Start a Cowork conversation that needs the connector, or select the connector from the side panel.
- When prompted, choose Connect or the sign-in option.
- Sign in to the correct service account and complete the service’s consent flow.
- Return to Cowork and try the task that needs the connection.
Microsoft says authorization is generally remembered unless you or an administrator revoke it. A plugin deployment does not let an administrator authenticate on your behalf, so you may still need to connect your own account.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Compare plugins for the same task
Use the plugin listings and your organization’s policies to compare options. The available documentation does not establish a general quality, speed, or security ranking, so focus on details you can verify:
- Publisher and approval: Is the publisher identifiable, and is the plugin approved for your organization?
- Capabilities: Does it provide a skill, a connector, or both?
- Connected service and data: What system or data source does the connector reach?
- Authentication: Does it require sign-in or consent, and which account should you use?
- Permissions: What can your account access in the underlying service?
- Ownership: Did you acquire it yourself, or did an administrator deploy it? That determines whether you can remove it.
Turn off or remove a plugin
To stop a plugin from contributing skills or connectors to your conversations, turn it off in Sources & Skills. To remove a plugin you acquired yourself, go to + > Customize and use the removal option for that plugin. An administrator must remove an admin-deployed plugin. Removing a plugin does not interrupt a conversation that is already using it; the change applies to future conversations.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Upload a custom plugin
If you have a plugin package, Microsoft’s guide describes uploading a .zip from + > Customize > Plugins > Upload plugin. The guide also describes converting packages built for Claude or another compatible format. After upload, choose whether to keep the plugin for yourself or share it with selected people in your organization. To update a shared plugin, the publisher or user must share the newer version. Package compatibility and interface labels can change, so follow the current prompts shown in Cowork.
Troubleshoot missing plugins and connector problems
The plugin is not listed
Ask your IT administrator whether organizational approval or tenant policy limits the catalog. A plugin’s absence does not necessarily mean it is unavailable to every Cowork user.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The connector appears but returns no data
Check that you have permission to see the information in the source service and that your organization has enabled the connector. Microsoft notes that synchronized content may not yet be indexed, so newly available information may take time to appear.
Sign-in keeps failing or reappearing
Confirm that you are using the account with access to the external service. If the connection still fails, ask your administrator whether consent requirements or connection policy are blocking it. Authorization may have been revoked by you or an administrator.
You are unsure which data Cowork can see
Use the permissions in the underlying service as the rule: a connector does not give you access to content you could not otherwise access there. Follow your organization’s approval and data-use guidance for connectors.
Quick Recap
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