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How to Enable the Microsoft Copilot: A Comprehensive Guide [2024]

September 8, 2023 7.3K views

In today's fast-paced world, AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot have become essential for maximizing productivity and making informed decisions. However, many users struggle to enable Microsoft Copilot, unsure of the steps required to activate this powerful tool. This article is your ultimate guide to quickly and correctly enabling Microsoft Copilot across your favorite Microsoft Office software.

What is Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot


Microsoft Copilot is an innovative AI-driven code assistant that revolutionizes modern development workflows. Developed by Microsoft, Copilot is powered by OpenAI's GPT-3 language model, making it a cutting-edge tool for programmers and software engineers. Its sophisticated AI capabilities enable it to provide intelligent code suggestions, automate repetitive coding tasks, and assist developers in creating high-quality code more efficiently.

In today's fast-paced software development landscape, the demand for increased productivity and efficiency is ever-growing. AI-driven code assistance, as exemplified by Microsoft Copilot, plays a crucial role in meeting these demands. With Copilot's ability to understand context and provide context-aware code suggestions, developers can save time and effort while writing code, enabling them to focus on more complex and creative tasks.

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in Word

To add Microsoft Copilot in Word and enable the AI chatbot, follow these step-by-step instructions with screenshots:

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu. Then, type "regedit" in the search bar. Click on the "Registry Editor" app that appears as the top result.

Registry Editor

Step 2: Navigate to the Word Registry Path

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\ExternalFeatureOverrides\word

Step 3: Add a New String Value

Right-click on the "word" key, and from the menu, select "New," then click on "String Value."

Registry Editor Word Key

Step 4: Name the New Key

Name the newly created key as "Microsoft.Office.Word.CoPilotExperiment" and press Enter.

Step 5: Set the Value for Copilot

Double-click on the "Microsoft.Office.Word.CoPilotExperiment" key. In the "Edit String" dialog box, set its value to "true" to enable Copilot.

Registry Editor String Edit

Step 6: Confirm the changes

Click the "OK" button to confirm the changes.

Step 7: Restart Your Computer

Finally, to apply the changes and enable Microsoft Copilot in Word, restart your computer.

Copilot AI


Now, when you open Microsoft Word, Copilot AI chatbot will be enabled, offering you AI-powered code assistance and enhanced productivity within your Word documents. Happy coding with Microsoft Copilot in Word!

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in Outlook

Follow these steps to enable Microsoft Copilot in Outlook for AI-powered assistance in writing better emails:

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in Outlook

Follow these steps to enable Microsoft Copilot in Outlook for AI-powered assistance in writing better emails:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Outlook

Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.

Step 2: Navigate to "File"

Click on the "File" tab located at the top left corner of the Outlook window.

Outlook

Step 3: Access "Options"

From the drop-down menu, select "Options" at the bottom of the left-hand side menu.

Step 4: Choose "Mail"

In the Outlook Options window, select "Mail" from the left-hand side menu.

Outlook options

Step 5: Open "Editor Options"

Go to the "Compose messages" section and click on the "Editor Options" button.

Step 6: Select "Proofing" Tab

In the Editor Options window, navigate to the "Proofing" tab.

Outlook Editor options

Step 7: Enable Copilot

Check the box next to "Use Copilot to help me write better emails."

Step 8: Save Changes

Click the "OK" button to save the changes and enable Microsoft Copilot in Outlook.

Microsoft Copilot in Outlook


Now, with Microsoft Copilot activated in Outlook, you'll receive AI-driven suggestions and assistance while composing emails, helping you write more efficiently and effectively. Enjoy the benefits of AI-powered email composition with Microsoft Copilot in Outlook!

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in Excel

To add Microsoft Copilot in Excel and enable the AI chatbot, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the Start menu on Windows 11.

2. Search for "regedit" and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

Registry Editor


3. Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\ExternalFeatureOverrides\excel

  1. Right-click on the "excel" key, select "New," and then click on "String Value."

Registry Editor Excel Key


4. Name the new key "Microsoft.Office.Excel.Copilot" and press Enter.

5. Double-click on the "Microsoft.Office.Excel.Copilot" key and set its value to "true" to enable Copilot.

Registry Editor String Edit


6. Click the "OK" button to confirm the changes.

7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Copilot in Excel


Once you've completed these steps and restarted your computer, open or re-open Microsoft Excel, and you should see the Copilot experience on the right side. Please note that since this is an early preview, the feature may work with varying degrees of accuracy and completeness.

How to Enable Microsoft Copilot in PowerPoint

To enable Microsoft Copilot in PowerPoint and benefit from its AI-powered design suggestions and talking points, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have a Microsoft 365 subscription and have the latest version of PowerPoint installed on your device.

2. Open a new PowerPoint presentation or an existing one.

3. Click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint window.

PowerPoint presentation


4. Click on the "Copilot" button to open the Copilot panel on the right side of the PowerPoint window.

Copilot in PowerPoint


5. If this is your first-time using Copilot, you will be prompted to choose the type of presentation you want to create. Choose the appropriate option and click "Create."

6. Copilot will generate a list of design ideas, images, and talking points for your presentation. You can use these suggestions as a starting point for your presentation or customize them to better fit your needs and preferences.

With Microsoft Copilot enabled in PowerPoint, you'll have access to AI-driven assistance in designing your presentations and generating talking points, making it easier and more efficient to create compelling and visually appealing slides. Enjoy the benefits of AI-powered design assistance with Microsoft Copilot in PowerPoint!

Best Free Alternative to Microsoft Copilot - WPS AI

WPS AI is a powerful and modern AI tool developed by WPS Office. It aims to enhance productivity and streamline workflows for users across various tasks, including document processing, data analysis, and more. As a free alternative to Microsoft Copilot, WPS AI offers a rich set of features and capabilities, providing users with AI-driven assistance and intelligent solutions for their work.

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Advantages of WPS AI:

Compared to Microsoft Copilot, WPS AI comes with its own set of unique advantages, making it a compelling choice for users seeking an efficient and free AI tool:

  • Cost-Free Solution: WPS AI is available for free, making it an accessible and budget-friendly option for users who seek advanced AI capabilities without additional costs.

  • Comprehensive Office Suite Integration: WPS AI is seamlessly integrated into the WPS Office Suite, providing a unified platform for users to access AI-powered features across various applications like Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation.

  • Powerful Data Analysis: WPS AI offers robust data analysis capabilities in WPS Spreadsheets, empowering users to manipulate and visualize data effectively, making it an excellent choice for data-driven tasks.

Features of WPS AI:

WPS AI is packed with a range of features that cater to various user needs:

  • AI Document Creation: Users can experience AI-powered writing assistance in WPS Writer, helping create professional documents with accurate grammar and style.

  • Data Analysis with WPS Spreadsheets AI: WPS AI offers advanced data analysis features in WPS Spreadsheets, providing insights and intelligent suggestions for data manipulation.

  • Smart Data Presentation: WPS AI assists users in creating visually appealing presentations by automatically organizing data, images, and charts in slides.

How to Download WPS AI:

To get started with WPS AI, follow these simple steps to download the WPS Office Suite:

1. Visit the WPS AI website at https://wps.ai/

WPS AI

 

2. Click on "Free Download" to initiate the download process.

3. Select the appropriate version of WPS Office compatible with your operating system, such as Windows, macOS, Android or iOS.

WPS AI Download

 

4. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS AI on your system.

WPS AI Install


5. After installation, launch WPS AI and enjoy its powerful AI-driven features across the WPS Office Suite for enhanced productivity and efficiency.

WPS AI WPS Office

FAQs:

1. What are the limitations of Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot, like any AI-driven tool, has certain limitations that users should be aware of. Some of the limitations include:

  • Accuracy: While Copilot provides intelligent code suggestions, it may not always generate perfect code and may occasionally produce errors or incomplete solutions.

  • Contextual Understanding: Copilot's contextual understanding capabilities are impressive, but it may not always grasp the full context of complex coding scenarios, leading to less accurate suggestions.

  • Language Support: Copilot's AI model primarily supports English, which may limit its effectiveness for developers who prefer coding in other languages.

  • Security Concerns: Copilot's suggestions are based on the vast amount of code it has been trained on, which can potentially include sensitive or proprietary code, raising security and intellectual property concerns.

2. Are Copilot responses always factual?

No, Copilot responses are not always factual. While Copilot is a powerful AI language model that can provide helpful code suggestions, it does not guarantee that all responses will be factually accurate. As with any AI system, Copilot's responses are based on the patterns it has learned from training data, and it may occasionally generate incorrect or inaccurate code suggestions.

It is essential for developers to review and verify Copilot's suggestions to ensure the correctness and security of the code. Users should exercise caution and use their expertise to assess and validate the code produced by Copilot.

3. Can I disable Copilot in Microsoft Office applications if I don't want to use it?

Yes, you have the option to disable Copilot in Microsoft Office applications if you prefer not to use it.

Final Thoughts on Enabling the Microsoft Copilot

In summary, this article explored the world of AI-driven tools in modern workplace environments and introduced Microsoft Copilot, a powerful AI code assistant. While Copilot promises to revolutionize coding and boost productivity, it comes with certain limitations that users should be aware of. Additionally, the accuracy of Copilot's responses may vary, and users need to validate the suggestions it provides.

As a free and compelling alternative, WPS AI, integrated into the WPS Office Suite, offers a comprehensive AI solution for various tasks like document processing and data analysis. With its seamless integration, cost-free availability, and powerful capabilities, WPS AI proves to be a valuable asset for users seeking AI-driven assistance without additional costs.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.