How to Enable and Use Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11

Curious about Copilot? Windows  11 comes with your own personal AI assistant, built for productivity and fun. Below, we’ll explain all about how to enable and use Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11.

This guide covers several launching methods and shows you how to use prompts, upload files, and generate images. 

What Is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered virtual assistant that can simplify and automate everyday tasks. It offers smart AI suggestions, optimizes workflows, and improves your overall productivity.

Moreover, it’s installed on Windows 11 by default, or you can get it on Android and iPhone. It’s also integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.

Here’s what you can do with Copilot in a nutshell:

• Generate drafts and write emails, reports, and presentations
• Track tasks and manage projects
• Analyze numerical data in Excel
• Create images
• Summarize emails and adjust the tone in your messages.

Now, let’s focus on how to activate and use it.

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11

You should find Microsoft Copilot pre-installed on your Windows 11 PC. If not, you can get it from the official Microsoft Store. Simply press the Download button, launch the installer, and follow the prompts.

Once that’s done, you can bring up Copilot by:

• Pressing the Copilot key on your keyboard (on newer devices)
• Pressing the Windows key + C together
• Selecting the app from your taskbar (if it’s pinned)
• Activating it with a voice command (“Hey Copilot”)
• Finding it via Windows Search (Windows key + S).
  

You can always pin/unpin Copilot by right-clicking the icon and selecting Pin to taskbar/Unpin to taskbar.

How to Use Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11

Here’s a quick tour of what you can do with this AI assistant. To start:

1. Launch the app using our tips from above. In this case, we’ll just press the Copilot key.
2. If it’s your first time, you’ll see an introductory screen. You can try any of the suggestions, or just select Skip.
   
3. Select the sidebar icon in the top-left corner.
   
4. You’ll find your Profile and Settings at the bottom of the sidebar.
   

Use Prompts

The prompt bar on the main screen is where you’ll spend most of your time. Here’s how to use it for simple tasks: 

1. Type your prompt in the main bar. For example, we asked Copilot to recommend a decent nearby place to get a steak.
   
2. It responded with a list of recommendations.
   
3. We then asked for directions to one of the restaurants.

The app will remember your past conversations and keep them organized in your taskbar. You can revisit them anytime.

Upload Files

Additionally, you can rely on the assistant for more complex tasks:

1. Select the Plus icon in the main bar, then Upload.
   
2. Once you upload your file, you can ask Copilot to summarize the key points, for example.
3. Depending on the topic complexity, you may want to switch to a different conversation mode on the bar. We switched to Think Deeper.
   
4. Copilot had no trouble at all with analyzing this academic text.
   

Generate Images

You can even use the app to create free AI images based on your prompts:

1. Type your design prompt in the main bar. We asked for a cute black cat playing with a ball of yarn.
   
2. Wait for Copilot to generate the image. Depending on the complexity, it might take a while.
3. You can download the result.
   
4. You can also edit the image via prompts. We asked for a desaturated version, for example.
   

Conclusion

So, now you know how to enable and use Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11. As you can see, it’s fairly intuitive. You can quickly bring up the assistant via keyboard shortcuts or even voice commands.

Furthermore, it’s suitable for everyday tasks, like making plans, summarizing articles, or creating custom art. We’ve demonstrated some use cases in our guide. All you have to do is type in your prompt!