PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Microsoft Copilot can answer questions, help with writing and research, work with files, create images and Office documents, and assist with tasks in Edge. What you can use depends on where you open Copilot, whether you sign in with a personal or work account, your subscription, and sometimes your region. Here are 20 practical ways to try it—and what to check before relying on the result.
What Copilot can do depends on where you use it
Copilot is available through the Copilot app, the web, Windows, mobile devices, and Microsoft Edge. These are not interchangeable experiences: the signed-in account and the feature entitlements attached to it can change what appears. Microsoft says app features vary by subscription, and its access overview notes regional variation. Check the current feature details for your account in Microsoft’s Copilot app guide and Copilot’s access overview.
| Where you use it | Useful for | Availability note |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot app | Questions, image and Office-file creation, and working with uploaded files | Features vary by subscription; see Microsoft’s app guide. |
| Microsoft Edge | Research and writing help, page and tab analysis, video summaries, Visual Search, and shopping comparisons | Some features depend on account or license. Microsoft labels work browsing actions “Coming soon” on its Copilot in Edge page. |
| Windows, web, and mobile | Accessing Copilot across supported devices and surfaces | Functionality and regional availability may vary, according to the access overview. |
20 useful things to try with Copilot
Ask questions and explore a topic
- Get a clear answer. Start with a direct question in the Copilot app or Edge. If the answer is too technical or broad, ask a follow-up for a simpler explanation, examples, or alternatives.
- Research a subject on the web. Ask Edge Copilot to explore a topic and summarize relevant results. Open the cited links and check key details at their sources rather than treating a summary as proof.
- Compare competitors. Ask for a comparison based on criteria that matter to you—such as features, audience, or stated pricing—and verify claims against the cited sources.
- Summarize market trends. Specify the period and market you mean, then ask for sources. A time-bounded question is easier to check than a request for a general trend.
Write and revise
- Draft an email. In Edge, describe the recipient, purpose, key points, and desired tone. Treat the result as a first draft: check names, commitments, dates, and any sensitive details before sending.
- Change a text’s tone or length. Provide the text and specify the change, such as making it shorter, warmer, or more formal. Compare the rewrite with your original so important qualifications do not disappear.
- Revise a resume. Ask for clearer wording or help tailoring a resume to a role. Review every change and make sure the final version accurately reflects your experience and skills.
Create and work with files
- Create an image. In the Copilot app, describe the subject, setting, and visual style you want. Add relevant details to refine the prompt, then review the generated image for errors or unintended elements.
- Create a Word document. Describe the audience, purpose, and structure—for example, a short project brief with a summary and action list. Edit the output before sharing it.
- Create a PowerPoint presentation. State who the presentation is for, what it should accomplish, and the key points to cover. Check the flow and content rather than assuming the generated file is ready to present.
- Create or work with an Excel file. Explain what question the spreadsheet should answer and what data you have. Review formulas, labels, and results; Microsoft’s feature listing does not guarantee a particular analysis or outcome.
- Upload a file and ask questions about it. Use a supplied document as context for a summary, explanation, or information extraction. Check the response against the original, especially when exact wording or figures matter.
- Summarize a long document. Use Copilot in Edge with a document or upload a file in the Copilot app. Ask for the kind of summary you need—such as key points or decisions—and verify important details in the document.
Use Edge with pages, tabs, and video
- Analyze information across open tabs. Ask Edge Copilot to compare pages or find shared points across the tabs you have open. Confirm that the pages it uses are the ones relevant to your question.
- Summarize a YouTube video. Ask for the main points or for an answer to a specific question about the video. Check the relevant portion of the video if a detail will affect a decision.
- Ask about an image. Use Edge Visual Search by providing an image and asking what it may show—for example, what dish appears in a photo. Treat identifications, including a possible dog breed, as suggestions to verify.
- Compare products while shopping. Ask Edge Copilot to compare options against your priorities. Before buying, confirm specifications, availability, and seller details on the relevant product and seller pages.
- Analyze data. Give Copilot a dataset or relevant context and request a summary or patterns to investigate. Check calculations and conclusions against the underlying data; the feature listing does not promise a specific result.
Try voice or delegate a task
- Talk through a question or idea by voice. Microsoft describes voice interaction in its access overview and Copilot FAQ. Whether it is available can depend on the experience and account; review the current in-product settings and Microsoft privacy information before using it for sensitive material.
- Delegate multi-step work with Cowork. Microsoft describes Cowork in the Copilot app as a way to delegate a multi-step task and return to completed to-dos. This is not a universal feature; availability may depend on the account and plan.
Do you need a Microsoft 365 subscription?
Not necessarily for every Copilot task. The answer depends on the feature and the account you use. Microsoft says Copilot app features vary by subscription; its Edge page also notes that some new-tab features may require a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. The work-browsing action described there is labeled “Coming soon” and requires that license, so do not assume it is available in every Edge account. Check the current labels and entitlements shown by Microsoft for your account before planning around a particular feature.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
How to get more reliable results
- State the task, intended audience, and relevant constraints. For comparisons or trend summaries, name the criteria or time period.
- Ask for sources when the response makes factual claims, then follow those links and check the original material.
- Verify numbers, calculations, names, dates, and any advice that could affect a financial, health, legal, work, or safety decision.
- Review generated files and rewrites against the source information before sharing or acting on them.
Microsoft warns that responses can be incomplete or inaccurate: “Copilot may misrepresent the information it finds, and you may see responses that sound convincing but are incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate.” The warning appears in the Copilot in Edge FAQ. Treat Copilot as an assistant for producing and exploring material, not as a substitute for checking consequential facts.
Quick Recap
SaleBestseller No. 1
SaleBestseller No. 2
Rank #4
Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard Without Pen Storage for Surface Pro Copilot+ (11th Edition), Pro 9 and 8, Alcantara Material, Black
- Instant Copilot. Unlock new possibilities with the dedicated Copilot key, which gives you instant access to experiences that can enhance your productivity¹.
- Enhance your experience With the new microphone mute key and snipping key
- Full keyboard experience. Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and a large trackpad for precise navigation and control. Optimal key spacing allows fast, fluid typing.
- Slim and compact Performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard.
- Clicks in place instantly Use in combination with the Surface Pro (11th Edition), Pro 9 and Pro 8* kickstand for a perfect laptop experience anywhere.
Rank #3
Sale
Logitech Signature Slim MK955 for Business Combo - Copilot Edition
- Unlock Microsoft Copilot in Windows (1) with a dedicated Copilot key: Seamlessly add the everyday AI companion to employee workflows for elevated productivity with a single keystroke
- Laptop-Style Typing, Designed for Windows: The slim keyboard comes in a Windows layout and delivers a familiar, laptop-style typing experience that employees desire
- Enterprise Secure: Logi Bolt wireless technology addresses security concerns with Bluetooth Low Energy; equipped with Secure Connections Only Mode - Logi Bolt receiver included
- SmartWheel Technology: Designed for different work tasks, the mouse provides precise, line-by-line scrolling or super fast scrolling with a flick of its SmartWheel
- Switch Between Devices: Connect via Logi Bolt or Bluetooth and seamlessly switch between 3 of your devices with the Easy-Switch buttons for easy multitasking
Rank #2
Sale
Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard for Surface Pro Copilot+ (11th Edition), Pro 9 and 8 with Pen Storage, Alcantara Material, Platinum
- Instant Copilot. Unlock new possibilities with the dedicated Copilot key, which gives you instant access to experiences that can enhance your productivity¹.
- Enhance your experience With the new microphone mute key and snipping key
- Full keyboard experience. Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and a large trackpad for precise navigation and control. Optimal key spacing allows fast, fluid typing.
- Slim and compact Performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard.
- Clicks in place instantly Use in combination with the Surface Pro (11th Edition), Pro 9 and Pro 8* kickstand for a perfect laptop experience anywhere.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard with Pen Storage, Compatible with Copilot+ (11th Edition), Surface 9 and 8, Alcantara Material, Black
- Instant Copilot. Unlock new possibilities with the dedicated Copilot key, which gives you instant access to experiences that can enhance your productivity¹.
- Enhance your experience With the new microphone mute key and snipping key
- Full keyboard experience. Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and a large trackpad for precise navigation and control. Optimal key spacing allows fast, fluid typing.
- Slim and compact Performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard.
- Clicks in place instantly Use in combination with the Surface Pro (11th Edition), Pro 9 and Pro 8* kickstand for a perfect laptop experience anywhere.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
