Thank you for continuing to stay with me on this journey learning Microsoft 365 Copilot. However, I want to go off track a little before I move back into Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications in the next post. Did you know there is a free version of Copilot available?
It’s important to note that the free version is different from the one integrated into Microsoft 365 applications, which offers additional paid features tailored for productivity tools for organisations. I’ll cover Copilot integrated into Microsoft 365 Apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and so on, later in the blog series.
There is a free version of Microsoft Copilot available through the Copilot website at copilot.microsoft.com, and the mobile app, which you can download from the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. You can also access Copilot from bing.com and clicking on Copilot as shown in the image below.
This free version can help you with tasks like searching the web, creating content, generating images, and answering complex questions. It’s not like your usual search engine; Copilot is a generative AI engine that can search the web and generate unique content while having a conversation with you along the way. You can also speak to Copilot, and it will respond to you like a human.
Limitations
The free version of Copilot has certain limitations, including restricted usage of voice and image scanning features due to daily usage limits being applied. For more extensive capabilities, consider upgrading to the Copilot Pro version. Copilot Pro is designed for individual users, offering advanced AI features and priority access to the latest models, enhancing productivity in Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel.
Update
Copilot and Designer in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family
Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers will receive a monthly allotment of AI credits to use Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Designer. The credits will also apply to apps like Paint, Photos, and Notepad on Windows. Those who frequently use Copilot can upgrade to Copilot Pro, without worrying about usage limits, Learn more about AI credits.
Source: Copilot and Designer in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family
On the other hand, Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed for businesses. Like Copilot Pro, it also works well with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. However, it helps teams work together easily, communicate better, and keep data secure, making it perfect for boosting productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Microsoft 365 Copilot uses Microsoft Graph under the hood to connect and use your organisation’s data instead of focusing on one user only. It is Microsoft 365 Copilot I will be focusing on in the next posts.
Let’s explore the free version. Access copilot.microsoft.com. For a better experience, it’s worth logging in with your personal email address as additional features become available, such as the voice features and more.
Note:
While the interaction with Copilot feels like a real conversation, it’s important to remember that Copilot is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) designed to simulate human like dialogue. It can understand and respond to your queries, provide information, and assist with tasks, but it doesn’t have feelings or consciousness.
Use Copilot to analyse images
- Click the + icon as shown in the image below. Upload a picture, and Copilot will describe what’s in the picture. You can also perform these actions in the mobile version of Microsoft Copilot.
Communicate with Copilot via chat
2. Communicate with Copilot via chat. Type a message and explore. Maybe start with a prompt such as “Hello Copilot, what are you able to do for me?” as shown in the image below.
Look at the response from Copilot below, it seems like you are talking to a human, but you are not. 🙂
The better question is what can’t I do! Well, mostly. Need advice, facts, or a touch of entertainment? I’m your buddy. Want to dive into the latest tech trends or get creative with some writing? I’ve got you covered. Curious about cooking recipes or fun facts? Just say the word. What’s the vibe today?
Let’s input a prompt. If you missed my previous post about prompts, click the following link, Part 3 – How to write Microsoft Copilot Prompts | Cloud Build
Prompt:
Please write me a speech to prepare for an event where I will be presenting a topic about the benefits of drinking water to children so make it sound casual and youthful.
Response from Copilot below.
We can ask Copilot to amend the text by inputting another prompt, for example, make the text longer and add a joke. Or you may wish to copy the text and amend parts yourself. That’s fine. You can use Copilot’s version of the response as a draft and work on it as you wish.
Ask Copilot to create you an image
3. Copilot is capable of generating unique images. Let’s give it a try.
Create me an image of a happy cat riding a bike whilst on the moon.
Communicate with Copilot via voice
4. Maybe you don’t fancy having a text chat with Copilot but a conversation over voice. Click the Microphone icon as shown in the image below, and you can have a voice conversation with Copilot.
Have a go and let me know what you think in the comments box below! I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this free version of Copilot.
In the next post, I’ll dive into demoing the paid version of Microsoft 365 Copilot, starting with Microsoft Word. Stay tuned for more.
