Microsoft Copilot is the AI assistant built into Windows 11. You can ask it questions, have it summarise or draft text, explain an image, or create one from a description, all from a window that sits beside your work. This guide shows how to use Copilot in Windows 11: how to open it, how to turn it on if it is missing, how to write prompts that get useful answers, and what to check before trusting the output.
Copilot first arrived as a sidebar preview with the Windows 11 23H2 update, and the screenshots in this article come from that early version. Microsoft has since turned it into a separate Copilot app and changes it often, so we point out where things now look different. The steps are aimed at home and small-business users on a personal Microsoft account.
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What Copilot in Windows 11 Can Do
- Answer questions in plain language, from quick facts to step-by-step explanations.
- Summarise and rewrite text you paste in: emails, articles, meeting notes.
- Draft content such as replies, outlines, product descriptions or social posts.
- Help troubleshoot Windows problems by walking you through settings and fixes.
- Explain an image you upload, such as a screenshot of an error or a chart.
- Create images from a text description.
- Talk by voice using the microphone button instead of typing.
Early Preview vs the Current Copilot App
| Feature | Early 2024 preview (screenshots below) | Current Copilot app |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Sidebar docked on the right of the screen | Separate app window that you can resize, move or pin |
| Turning it on | Settings toggle “Copilot (preview)” under Taskbar items | Installed as an app; pin or unpin it like any other app |
| Conversation styles | More Creative, More Balanced, More Precise | Removed; depending on version, you may instead see response options such as a quick answer or a deeper-thinking mode |
| Changing Windows settings | Could act on requests such as “Turn on dark mode” | Mainly a chat assistant that explains where a setting is; any newer action features vary by version and region |
| Keyboard shortcut | Win + C | Copilot key on newer keyboards; an optional Alt + Space shortcut set in Copilot’s settings |
Microsoft updates Copilot frequently, so names and menus on your PC may differ slightly from either column.
How to Turn On Copilot
On the early preview (Windows 11 23H2)
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
- Under Taskbar items, switch Copilot (preview) to On.
On current Windows 11 builds
- Click Start and type Copilot. If the app appears, open it and right-click its taskbar icon to Pin to taskbar.
- If it is not installed, open the Microsoft Store, search for Microsoft Copilot and install it.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account when asked, so your conversation history is kept.
How to Open Copilot
- Click the Copilot icon on the taskbar or in the Start menu.
- Press the Copilot key if your keyboard has one.
- Use Alt + Space if you have turned that shortcut on in the Copilot app’s settings.
- On the early preview, press Win + C to open the sidebar.
In the early sidebar you could pick a conversation style: More Creative for original ideas, More Balanced as the default, and More Precise for short, factual answers. The input box accepted up to 2,000 characters and had buttons for voice and for adding an image. The current app has dropped these style buttons; to get the same effect, say what you want in the prompt (“be brief and factual” or “give me five creative options”).
Use Copilot in a browser
The preview had an Open in Microsoft Edge button at the top of the sidebar for a larger workspace. You can always reach the same assistant in any browser at copilot.microsoft.com, which shows your recent activity when you are signed in.
Worked Example: From Vague to Useful Prompts
Copilot’s answers are only as good as your request. A simple formula is task + context + format. Compare these:
| Weak prompt | Better prompt | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Write an email | Write a polite 100-word email to a customer explaining their order will arrive two days late. Offer free shipping on the next order. | States the task, the reader, the length and the offer |
| Fix my Wi-Fi | My Windows 11 laptop shows “No internet, secured” on home Wi-Fi but my phone works. Give me five checks in order, easiest first. | Describes the exact symptom and asks for an ordered list |
| Summarise this | Summarise the text below in five bullet points for a manager who has two minutes. Highlight any deadlines. | Sets the audience, length and what to focus on |
| Explain this picture | (attach a screenshot) What does this error mean and what should I try first? | Gives Copilot the image plus a clear question |
If the first answer misses, reply in the same chat: “shorter”, “use a friendlier tone”, or “put that in a table”. Copilot keeps the earlier context, so follow-ups are usually faster than starting again.
How to Use Copilot in Windows 11 Every Day
- Office work: paste a long email thread and ask for the action items.
- Spreadsheets: describe what you want (“sum sales where region is North”) and ask for the Excel or Google Sheets formula, then test it on a copy.
- Learning: ask it to explain a concept “like I am new to this”, then ask for a short quiz.
- Writing: ask for three headline options and pick or combine the best.
Common Problems and Fixes
- No Copilot icon: check Windows Update, then install the Copilot app from the Microsoft Store. Availability can vary by country and by account type.
- Work or school PC shows a different Copilot: organisations may use Microsoft 365 Copilot or disable consumer Copilot. Ask your IT admin.
- Alt + Space opens a different window menu: another app has taken the shortcut, or it is switched off in Copilot’s settings. Check the Copilot app’s settings.
- Voice button does nothing: allow microphone access in Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
Tips and Cautions
- As the app itself says, Copilot uses AI and can make mistakes. Check facts, figures and formulas before you use them.
- Do not paste passwords, bank details or confidential client data into a chat.
- Review your chat history and personalisation settings in the app if you share the PC.
- For important answers, ask Copilot for its sources and open them.
Want to use AI in other tools too? See how to build slides quickly with PowerPoint Designer, speed up PowerPoint creation with ChatGPT, get a transcript from audio or video in Microsoft Word, and write Python code with ChatGPT, Claude and Copilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Copilot free in Windows 11?
The standard Copilot app is free with a Microsoft account. Microsoft also sells paid plans with extra features and Microsoft 365 integration, but you do not need one for the basics in this guide.
How do I open Copilot with the keyboard?
Press the Copilot key if your keyboard has one, or turn on the Alt + Space shortcut in the Copilot app’s settings. On the early 2024 preview, the shortcut was Win + C.
Where did the Creative, Balanced and Precise modes go?
They were part of the early Copilot preview and were later removed. Some versions of the app now offer different response options instead, and you can always get a similar result by asking for a more creative or more precise answer in your prompt.
Can Copilot change my Windows settings?
The early preview could act on a few requests such as turning on dark mode. The current app mainly explains where a setting is and how to change it, so in most cases expect to make the change yourself. Microsoft keeps adding features, so check what your version offers.
Can I turn off or remove Copilot?
Yes. Unpin it from the taskbar, or uninstall the Copilot app from Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Does Copilot work offline?
No. Copilot sends your request to Microsoft’s online service, so it needs an internet connection.
Wrapping Up
Copilot is most useful when you treat it like a capable assistant: give it a clear task, the context and the format you want, then check what it returns. Open it now, try one of the better prompts from the table above, and refine the answer with a follow-up.
📅 Last updated: October 2026
