Looking for ChatGPT that can access real-time information? From asking about the weather to recent dramas or you want to use GPT-4 for free, Microsoft Copilot is your number one choice.
In this article, we will learn together about what Microsoft Copilot is and how to exploit it to the fullest on the web version and in applications.
Understanding Microsoft Copilot
Most of us will know Microsoft Copilot on the web integrated in Bing or Edge browser, it was previously called Bing AI. But then, they changed the name to Microsoft Copilot for synchronization purposes, making people confused, in this article I will also help you distinguish between them.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing AI) is an advanced AI assistant built into Bing and Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Copilot is designed to help users increase productivity and optimize workflows. By providing real-time suggestions, automating repetitive tasks, and assisting with complex operations, Copilot acts as a digital co-worker, making your daily work easier and more efficient.
If you’ve been using Copilot since it was first introduced and was only available on Edge, you’ll see it initially respond… but now, they’re open and you can incorporate it on Chrome or any browser like ChatGPT .
Want to use ChatGPT but with real-time responses? Microsoft Copilot is the best deal right now. You can leverage OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology while incorporating Bing search results.
How does Microsoft Copilot work?
Copilot uses the Microsoft Prometheus model, built on OpenAI’s large language model GPT-4. The model has been fine-tuned using supervised learning and reinforcement learning techniques to provide contextual assistance and improve performance over time.
Copilot provides a conversational interface similar to ChatGPT, allowing users to interact easily and receive help according to the context of their work. When users type in requests or questions, Copilot will analyze the context and provide suggestions or perform automated tasks to support users just like ChatGPT but with internet access.
What is Microsoft Prometheus?
We’ll probably have to talk about Microsoft’s Prometheus project separately because it’s quite special:
Microsoft Prometheus is the AI model used in Copilot, combining elements from OpenAI’s GPT-4 model and Bing’s search techniques. Prometheus uses a component called Orchestrator, which iteratively generates search queries to combine Bing’s search index and results with OpenAI’s large language models such as GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-4o.
Orchestrator works by continuously generating search queries based on user requests and then combining search results from Bing with large language models to provide the most accurate and relevant answers or suggestions. This process allows Copilot to efficiently access and use data from the internet, providing users with up-to-date and accurate information.
If you don’t know Mr. Prometheus, I know because I like Greek mythology, he is a very special god and is the god who helps humans a lot from blowing souls into the heavy Zeus dolls, to bringing food to humans and he also brings the thing that makes humans better: fire.
In short, it seems Microsoft wants to develop a project that can help humans become even cooler by giving Copilot fire 🙂
Key Features of Microsoft Copilot on Bing
If ChatGPT is aimed at all users, Microsoft Copilot is equipped with many features that make it a very good tool suitable for business and personal use. Some of the main features are:
- Real-time suggestions : As you work, Copilot provides helpful tips and suggestions. For example, if you’re composing an email in Outlook, Copilot can suggest better sentence structure or correct grammar errors as you type.
- Answer questions and provide detailed information: When you ask a question on Bing, Copilot analyzes and understands your intent. It searches for relevant information from authoritative sources and compiles detailed, easy-to-understand answers.
- Create custom content: Copilot can help you write short pieces of text like product descriptions, ad headlines, or blog post ideas. Just provide a few keywords or a topic, and Copilot will generate relevant content.
- Summarize and compare information: For long web pages or documents, Copilot can help you summarize key points and quote important passages. It also helps compare information from multiple sources to give you an overview.
Key Features of Microsoft Copilot on Office
- Smart writing with Word: Copilot built into Word makes writing easier than ever. It can suggest phrasing, correct spelling and grammar errors, and offer ideas to enrich your content.
- Create impressive presentations with PowerPoint: With Copilot, designing professional presentation slides becomes simple. Just tell Copilot the topic and main idea, it will suggest layouts, illustrations and create attractive visual effects.
- Analyze data quickly with Excel: Copilot in Excel helps you create charts, pivot tables, and analyze data with just a few simple steps. It can also predict trends and make recommendations based on data.
How to use Microsoft Copilot
Using Microsoft Copilot on the Web
If you want to use Microsoft Copilot for free, just go to Bing Copilot or Microsoft Copilot Web and use it completely free on any browser.
In some cases, they will ask you to log in to save conversations. Additionally, you will have 15 AI-generated images on Microsoft Designer .
However, I recommend you to use Edge to use Copilot, because the interface on Edge of Copilot is much better, it will support you more features than on Chrome. In addition, it will optimize RAM a little better than Chrome.
But in return, you will need to sacrifice the synchronization of your Google account across multiple devices. Don’t be like me, because of laziness, because of passion for synchronization but still determined to use Chrome.
Here’s a quick rundown of the features Edge has that other browsers don’t when using Copilot:
- You click that button to activate Copilot.
- It includes 2 functions:
- Chat : you can use it for normal chat
- Compose: used to create more professional content and editing.
- You will have 2 parts including:
- Chats: it includes Copilot for communication, chat, Designer for creating images.
- Plugins: you can integrate more sub-applications such as: music creation, recipe store, flight search, price comparison (US only),…
- The place where your previous chats are stored.
- It’s a place for you to chat, you can request to create images, music, … (if you have enabled the plugin feature). In addition, you can press the @ button and call a specific thing like a website or something that appears in the suggestions section of the person.
- This is where Copilot suggests some actions that you will perform , for example, if I open a blog post, it will automatically understand that I need to summarize that post.
Using Microsoft Copilot on Office
To start using Microsoft Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps, you’ll need to purchase a Pro plan.
If you just want to try it, Microsoft has a 30-day trial package for you to experience, you just need to click Try Copilot Pro and follow the specific instructions to add a VISA or Mastercard card. But remember to click cancel after registering, if you forget, it will deduct your money.
After registering, please follow these steps to activate and use:
- Enable Copilot : Open your Microsoft 365 settings on your computer. In the settings menu, look for the option to enable Copilot. This may be under a section like “AI features” or “Productivity tools.”
- Set up : Follow the on-screen instructions to activate Copilot. This may include granting Copilot permission to access your documents, email, and other data in Microsoft 365. These permissions are necessary for Copilot to provide contextual assistance.
- Integration : Once enabled, you’ll see Copilot as an option in your Microsoft 365 apps. For example, in Word, you might see the Copilot icon on the toolbar. Click this icon to access Copilot’s features and start getting help with your tasks.
Using Microsoft Copilot for everyday tasks
Here’s how you can use Microsoft Copilot for everyday tasks:
- Compose Email : When you’re writing an email in Outlook, Copilot can suggest phrases, correct grammar errors, and even help you structure your message more effectively. For example, if you’re thanking a client, Copilot might suggest, “Thank you for your business. We value your partnership.”
For example , if you’re writing an email to schedule a meeting, you might type, “I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the project status.” Copilot can suggest additional details like the expected time and date, making your email more complete and effective. - Document Creation : In Word, Copilot can help you format your document, suggest headings, and even help you compose content. For example, if you’re writing a report, Copilot can help organize sections and ensure consistent formatting.
For example , if you’re writing a business proposal, Copilot can suggest a structure with sections like Executive Summary, Objectives, Methodology, and Budget. This ensures your document is well-organized and professional. - Schedule management : In Outlook, Copilot can help schedule meetings, set reminders, and manage your calendar. For example, you can tell Copilot to “schedule a meeting with the team for next Monday at 10AM,” and it will find a suitable time and send an invitation.
For example , Copilot can also remind you of upcoming tasks and deadlines. If you have an important deadline approaching, Copilot can remind you a few days in advance, ensuring you have enough time to complete the task. - Data Analysis : In Excel, Copilot can help analyze data by suggesting formulas, creating charts, and identifying trends. For example, if you have a large data set, Copilot can help you summarize the data and highlight important information.
For example , if you’re analyzing sales data, Copilot might suggest using a pivot table to summarize sales by region. It can also help you create a bar chart to visualize sales figures.
How to make a request for Microsoft Copilot
Effective request making techniques
For best results from Microsoft Copilot , use clear and concise requests. Be specific about what you need.
For example : Instead of saying, “Help me with this,” say “Draft an email to the team about the project update.” Clear instructions help Copilot understand your needs better and provide more precise help.
Here are some tips for making effective requests:
- Specific : Clearly state what you need help with. For example, “Create a summary of this data in Excel” is more specific than “Help with Excel.”
- Provide context : Provide enough context for Copilot to understand your request. For example, “Draft an email to thank the client for their business” provides context that helps Copilot generate more relevant suggestions.
- Use simple language : Avoid using complex language or technical jargon. Simple and clear language makes it easier for Copilot to understand your request.
Examples of requests
Here are some examples of requests you can use with Copilot:
- Email : “Draft an email to thank the client for their business.” This request provides clear instructions and context, allowing Copilot to craft a complete and polite email.
- Report : “Create a summary of this data in Excel.” This request is specific and clear, helping Copilot understand exactly what you need.
- Schedule : “Set up a meeting with Sarah for next Monday.” This request provides the details needed for Copilot to effectively schedule the meeting.
- Document format : “Format this document with headings and bullet points.” This tells Copilot exactly how you want your document formatted.
- Data Analysis : “Create a bar chart from this sales data.” This request helps Copilot understand that you need a chart to visualize your sales data.
Some Top Ways to Use Copilot
Copilot on Bing – Your Information Search Companion
Quick Q&A
This is so popular, when searching on Edge, you will see Copilot automatically answer your question, then come to the search results on the web and they have been deployed for a long time. Meanwhile, recently, Google also tested the same feature in the US and was criticized too much 🙂
For example, you want to find a recipe for making bread. Just type in “How to make bread at home” and boom! Copilot will give you detailed, easy-to-understand instructions with specific steps. How convenient is that?
Web content summary
When using Copilot on Bing, you can open the sidebar and tell Copilot to “Summary of the main content of this page” and you’ll get a concise, comprehensive summary of the important ideas on the page.
Currently, it only works on Edge browser, other browsers do not support it and probably do not support this feature either 🙂 Force people to use Edge 🙂
For example, I asked Copilot to summarize my article about Copilot, which is the article you are reading now.
Compare
For example, are you hesitating between iPhone 15 and Samsung S24? Let Copilot compare for you! Just ask “Compare iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24”, Copilot will give you a visual comparison table of configuration, features, and prices. Choosing will be easier than ever!
Copilot in Office – Your powerful partner
Note, most of the tasks above in Office support Vietnamese quite poorly, so you will need to use English or open Google Translate and use it 🙂
Word
You just need a suggestion like “Write an introduction for an article about the importance of environmental protection”, Copilot will create a suitable paragraph to attract readers. You also do not have to worry about spelling or grammar mistakes because Copilot will automatically recognize and suggest corrections quite well with English.
Create PowerPoint Slides
If you didn’t know, now you will know, Copilot has the ability to support you in building background slides and not overlap with anyone else.
Need to prepare a presentation on the benefits of yoga? Just ask Copilot to “Create a 5-slide presentation on the benefits of yoga”, and you will immediately have a framework with main slides, suggested content. Copilot also helps you choose ready-made images and illustrations, you just need to edit a little to your liking to have a top-notch presentation!
Excel Data Analysis
For complicated tasks like creating a chart comparing the last 5 years of revenue, you just need to tell Copilot “Create a bar chart comparing the company’s revenue over the last 5 years”, and in a blink of an eye you will have a beautiful, intuitive chart. Copilot also helps you analyze trends and predict the future with just one simple request. Excel will handle everything, you just sit back and enjoy the results!
But the important thing is that you have to TEST TEST TEST what is important, repeat it 300 times. When working and using AI, the most important thing is to TEST TEST TEST TEST the results they create.
Microsoft Copilot vs. ChatGPT
Main difference
The main differences between Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT include:
- Integration : Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365, making it a seamless part of your workflow. It is designed to support specific tasks within Microsoft 365 applications. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a standalone conversational AI developed by OpenAI. It can be integrated into a variety of applications but is not tied to any specific toolkit.
For example , Copilot can help you format a document in Word or create a chart in Excel, while ChatGPT can participate in various conversation threads. - What it does : Copilot focuses on productivity in Microsoft apps, providing context-specific assistance. It helps with tasks like composing emails, creating documents, analyzing data, and managing schedules. ChatGPT is a versatile conversational AI that can be used for a variety of tasks, from answering questions to engaging in casual conversations.
For example , Copilot can help you draft a project proposal, while ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ideas for a new project or provide information on a variety of topics. - User interactions : Copilot is designed to support specific tasks and improve productivity in Microsoft 365. It provides real-time suggestions and automation based on the context of your work. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is designed for more general interactions and can be used in customer support, virtual assistants, and other conversational interfaces.
For example , Copilot can suggest a formula in Excel based on the data you enter, while ChatGPT can answer questions or provide explanations on a variety of topics.
In short, Microsoft Copilot will prioritize interaction and compatibility with Microsoft Office products; while OpenAI’s ChatGPT is more open (including features, self-personalization capabilities, GPT APIs for application development).
Feature comparison table between Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT
Features | Microsoft Copy | ChatGPT |
Strongest point | Internet access and real-time response | More popular and easy to use interface, can personalize chatbot |
Integration | Integration into Bing and Microsoft 365 apps | Available for free at ChatGPT.com |
Platform Model | Built on OpenAI’s GPT-4 | Built on OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 Turbo |
Ability | Real-time recommendations, task automation, content generation, summarization and comparison | Conversational AI, Content Generation, Language Translation, Summarization |
Use cases | Boost productivity in Office apps, answer detailed questions on Bing | Answer general questions, create content, assist with programming |
User Interface | Conversational interface in Bing and Office apps | Usually accessed through OpenAI’s API or platforms that integrate it |
Expense | $20/month (Office suite not included) | $20/month (with $5 free API per month) |
Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT which is better?
My answer is you should use both 🙂 they are free, you need the ability to write and access the internet, Copilot will support, you need to create a personalized bot, you can still use ChatGPT and GPT-4o as usual. Taking advantage of the strengths of both will help you more.
If you switch to paid, this will depend on your needs. You can also refer to my following ideas when using:
- Choose Microsoft Copilot if you prioritize internet access, feature variety, benefits and maximize your $20 per month. However, they will definitely collect your information and show ads everywhere. Windows 11 is full of ads 🙂 that’s all.
- Choose ChatGPT if you like the familiarity of ChatGPT, the ability to create highly customized chat bots, or you’re an app developer who needs the API to do other things. However, you won’t get as many benefits as Microsoft Copilot’s package.
Apprehend
Microsoft Copilot is a great free product for you to explore and use. Except for the fact that the search answer interface on the Edge browser is quite chaotic if you are a Chrome user, but in return, Bing Chat AI is fine, Microsoft Copilot is also fine and familiar if you often use ChatGPT.
I find Copilot very interesting, so I will probably write 3-4 more separate articles such as: how to use Microsoft Copilot on Bing, in Office, GitHub Copilot and how to register for Copilot Pro for free.
If you are interested, please comment below so I can have more motivation and make better articles.
FAQs about Microsoft Copilot
Should I buy Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT?
As I said above, it will depend on your needs, you can refer to the content in the Microsoft Copilot vs. ChatGPT section.
Does buying Microsoft Copilot come with Microsoft 365?
These are 2 separate products, Microsoft 365 you can only use Office and store on OneDrive, not including Copilot Pro.
Chrome or Edge which is better?
Depending on your needs, if you want to use 100% Microsoft tools, Edge is better because it has very perfect integration when using Copilot, creating images and all sorts of other things.
Gemini or Copilot which is better?
In my opinion, Copilot is better if you use the free version because of its GPT-4 access and the ability to create images up to 100 times/day. In case you use the paid version, Gemini is better because in addition to Gemini Advance access, you also have 2TB of content storage on Drive and direct integration into Google Workspace products.