Worldwide Giveaway – Microsoft’s Copilot AI and ChatGPT share many similarities, but Microsoft’s Copilot offers unique advantages. Here’s how to explore its features and maximize its potential.
Introduction to Microsoft Copilot AI
ChatGPT has inspired many companies to venture into AI, including Microsoft, which introduced its AI-infused chatbot, Copilot (previously Bing Chat). Available directly in Windows, on the web, as a sidebar in the Edge browser, and as a mobile app, Copilot answers questions and performs tasks, potentially offering more functionality than OpenAI’s tool.
What Can Copilot Do?
Copilot can generate diverse types of content, from poems and songs to stories and reports. It analyzes photos, artwork, and other images. Copilot’s Designer image creator can generate logos, drawings, or other images based on your text. In the Edge sidebar, Copilot provides insights on your current web page. Additionally, it can expand its skillset through Copilot GPTs and plugins.
The basic version of Copilot is free, while Copilot Pro costs $20 a month and offers additional perks, including integration with Microsoft 365. This integration allows you to leverage AI for creating, editing, and analyzing work in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.
How to Access Microsoft Copilot
You can access Copilot directly in Windows 11 and most versions of Windows 10 by clicking the Copilot icon on the Taskbar, which opens it in a sidebar on the right.
To use Copilot on the web, visit the Copilot website on any browser. Microsoft Edge offers a unique integration, allowing interaction with the chatbot via a sidebar. Simply launch Edge and click the Copilot icon in the upper right. You can also access it on mobile devices by downloading the Copilot app for iOS/iPadOS or Android.
Once you have Copilot ready, explore these features to enhance your experience.
How to Use Microsoft Copilot
Interacting with Copilot is similar to ChatGPT, but Microsoft’s tool provides more options. Open Copilot and use the “Ask me anything” text box to enter your request. If you’re unsure what to ask, Copilot offers suggested questions. On the web, you can browse through a carousel of suggested prompts.
When Copilot responds to a request, it suggests follow-up questions for deeper exploration. Click a follow-up question to submit it. When using external sources for responses, Copilot lists and links to the sources. Click on a specific source to investigate further.
To ask a different, unrelated question, click the blue “New Topic” button and compose your new query. To maximize your time with Copilot, try the following suggestions.
1. Customize Microsoft’s Copilot AI Conversation Style
Microsoft allows you to set Copilot’s conversation style at the start of a new conversation. Choose between three styles:
- More Creative: Produces original and imaginative responses.
- More Precise: Generates accurate and brief responses.
- More Balanced: Strikes a balance between creativity and precision.
Experiment with all three styles, starting with the Balanced level.
When Copilot responds to your prompts, icons appear below the answer. These icons allow you to approve or reject the response, copy the text, export it as a Word document, PDF, or text file, share the answer, or hear it read aloud.
3. Have a Conversation with Copilot
In Windows, on the website, or in the mobile app, you can use your voice to talk with Copilot. Tap the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen, speak your query, and submit it. Copilot will display and speak the results. Click or tap the audio level icon to stop the narration.
4. Explore Copilot’s Creative Capabilities
Ask Copilot to create content such as poems, songs, stories, reports, essays, or computer code. In Windows, on the website, or with the mobile app, type your content request, specifying length, tone, and style.
For better results, use the Copilot sidebar in Edge. Click Compose, type your request, choose a specific tone, format, and length, and submit. Copilot’s response appears in the Preview window, where you can copy, paste, or regenerate the content.
5. Summarize Web Pages
To get key details or a synopsis of a web page, use the Copilot sidebar in Edge. Open the desired page, open the sidebar, and click the Insights heading. After a few seconds, the AI displays key points from the page, along with related links, articles, and videos.
6. Analyze Images
Upload an image to Copilot for analysis. In Windows, at the Edge sidebar, or from the website, click the Image icon and select Upload from this device. To take a new photo, tap the Image icon and select Take a Photo.
On the mobile app, tap the Camera icon in the prompt, choose the Images icon to view your photo library, select the image, and its thumbnail appears in the prompt. Enter your query and submit the image.
7. Create Custom Images
Use Copilot’s Designer feature to create images. Describe the desired image in the prompt, including the style (e.g., photorealistic or anime), and submit. Copilot generates four images for you to choose from, allowing you to select a different style or edit the image.
8. Utilize GPTs for Specialized Assistance
Microsoft’s Copilot AI can provide more specific information through GPTs. On the Copilot website, click the Chats heading and explore GPTs like Designer, Vacation planner, Cooking assistant, and fitness trainer. Select a GPT and submit a related question.
9. Access Services via Plugins
To use plugins, click the Plugins heading. Available options include Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, Shop, and Suno. Incorporate up to three plugins into your requests. After selecting the plugins, type your question, and Copilot will use a plugin to find the necessary information.
10. Manage PC Features and Apps
With Microsoft’s Copilot AI in Windows, you can manage features, settings, and apps. For example, tell Copilot to turn battery saver on or off, show the Bluetooth page, launch the screen magnifier, display nearby Wi-Fi networks, or empty the Recycle Bin. Type your request in the Copilot sidebar.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Copilot AI offers numerous features to enhance productivity and creativity. By exploring its capabilities, you can make the most of this powerful tool. Whether creating content, analyzing images, or managing PC settings, Copilot proves to be a versatile and valuable assistant.
