Microsoft Copilot: Learning The Important Details [2024]

People require effective tools that can help them alleviate their work, enhance productivity, and streamline workflow. That's where Microsoft Copilot comes into play with its advanced AI technology, which not only simply but also automates tasks. What’s more, this AI tool is even integrated with Microsoft 365 applications like Word, PowerPoint, and more.

Microsoft Copilot has been introduced in the market for improvising document generation, providing data analysis, and automating tasks. To get a better insight into this amazing AI assistant, read this article to explore its features and future updates.

Part 1. Initial Release Date of Microsoft Copilot

This AI-influenced package is capable of simplifying tasks and enhancing productivity; that's why, in this part, we will introduce you to its initial release date:

A. Official Announcement

The Microsoft Copilot was officially announced on March 16, 2023, as part of a series of announcements detailing how it integrates into Microsoft 365 applications to enhance productivity. However, it didn't immediately launch to all users because it was first available in a limited preview for select enterprise customers.

B. Beta Testing Phase

The beta testing phase of Copilot has introduced several features that seamlessly help you with different types of Microsoft tools, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The company has included over 600 paid testers who initially worked on bringing it to the next phase. Furthermore, with continuous feedback from testers and organizations, Microsoft continued to improve its AI companion.

C. General Availability

With such incredible feedback, Microsoft 365 Copilot came out for the general public on November 1, 2023, with tons of new and advanced features. Using that newly released AI Copilot, users get the ability to transform their ideas into stunning visuals, break down complex tasks, and more. This rollout introduced Copilot's capabilities across core Microsoft applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with features specifically designed for document creation.

Part 2. Current Availability of Copilot in Microsoft 365 Applications

Moving forward, let's look at the current subscriptions and regional availability in Microsoft Copilot AI. Through this section, we will get a deeper look into the capabilities of this AI assistant:

A. Apps Currently Supported

All the applications and features of this AI-influenced program can be used on any web and offline version of Office 365. You can find it in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other tools. Moreover, users can create visual presentations, write captivating content, enhance email composition, and more.

In Word, for example, it assists with drafting and editing text, while in Excel, it can analyze data and suggest trends. Using PowerPoint, Copilot aids in generating visually compelling presentations based on user input. Moreover, for Outlook and Teams, it assists with summarizing emails and meetings, enhancing overall productivity. This explains the extensive diversity of Microsoft Copilot across different niche applications.

B. Availability by Subscription Tier

Users can access the Microsoft Copilot for free, and the Copilot Pro is available for a $20/user/month subscription. Although you can only get limited access to features in the Microsoft Copilot, the Pro version offers you an extensive feature set. Other than that, Microsoft 365 Copilot Pro is offered at $30/user/month for enterprise and business customers.

C. Regional Availability

Before the initial announcement, you can only access the Microsoft Copilot in North American regions. With the passage of time, the Copilot Studio has expanded its regional availability to Europe, Canada, Japan, India, and more. For a few analytical insights of Microsoft Copilot, it is still restricted for some specific regions. Otherwise, this AI copilot can be found across every major region, providing unique and conclusive services.

Part 3. Upcoming Features and Future Release Plans for Microsoft Copilot

Now that we know, Microsoft Copilot was initially released on November 1, 2023. Moving forward, we can now look at the fundamental and advanced features planned for this tool:

A. Planned Feature Rollouts

With the partnership of PayPal, Lumen, and HP, users can expect more efficient workflow and excellent productivity results. The expected features include better mailbox accessibility for business chatting, video crafting with Copilot, generating high-quality content in SharePoint, and many more.

B. Expected Release Timeline

The expected release timeline of these extraordinary features is between the months of October 2024 and March 2025. Moreover, with such advanced features being introduced to people, people will have a range of agents catering to their every work need.

C. Regular Updates

Microsoft has a strong commitment to continuously improving its Copilot. They also actively listen to their customers' feedback as they suggest their needs. Moreover, this feedback-driven approach allows Microsoft to refine its features, making it more intuitive and better aligned with the needs.

Part 4. Accessing Microsoft Copilot for Productive Usage

After learning about the Microsoft Coplot features in detail, it's important to understand this powerful tool's subscription requirements and usage steps. The following sections discuss how to access Microsoft Copilot effectively to ensure you can use its capabilities to enhance your productivity:

A. Subscription Requirements

To access the features of Microsoft Copilot, users must buy a paid subscription. The Microsoft Copilot Pro Subscription costs $20.00/user/month and includes features like real-time results, priority access to new models, and image creation capabilities. This subscription also provides full integration of Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications, enabling advanced functionalities like email drafting and data analysis.

B. Setting Up Copilot in Microsoft 365

Step 1. Login into your Microsoft 365 account and head to the "Billing" section. From there, select "Purchase Services" and then click the "Microsoft 365 Copilot is available to order now" button to access a prerequisites panel on the right side. Here, check the option to confirm that you meet all necessary requirements for using Microsoft Copilot and proceed with the process by pressing "Continue."

Step 2. In the “Purchase Services” window, tap on "Details" within the Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 to open the subscription interface. Enter all the subscription-related details, such as license quality, subscription length, and billing frequency. After specifying all parameters, proceed with the purchase process.

Step 3. Next, open any Microsoft application, such as PowerPoint, and you'll see a "Copilot" tab at the top-right corner of the interface. Click on the icon to activate “Copilot” and start using its features.

Troubleshooting Tips for Accessing Microsoft Copilot

1. When you can't access this feature, check for the activation of the Microsoft 365 subscription and its integration with the Copilot add-on.

2. One effective solution for this issue is to update all the Microsoft applications to the latest version, as Copilot features may only be available in the most recent releases.

3. For users accessing Microsoft 365 via a web browser, consider clearing the browser's cache and cookies.

C. Trial Access and Early Access Options

The Microsoft Copilot Pro Subscription includes a one-month free trial for new users. Once the trial ends, your subscription automatically begins charging at the regular price each month. Other than this subscription version, users can use the Microsoft Copilot free version, which offers access to basic AI functionalities and real-time results. It lacks advanced features such as priority access to the latest models and full integration of Copilot within Microsoft applications.

Part 5. HitPaw Alternatives for AI-Powered Media Enhancement

In the above discussion, we explored Microsoft 365 Copilot, highlighting its productivity features across various applications. However, for those seeking dedicated video and image editing software, HitPaw provides advanced functionalities to enhance media content. This powerful software includes an AI-driven video enhancement tool, HitPaw VikPea, a one-click solution for upscaling low-resolution videos up to 8K.

This tool can restore old documentaries or old DVDs by enhancing each frame, making it particularly useful for preserving and recovering classic media. In addition to video enhancement, HitPaw also offers the HitPaw FotorPea tool to improve image quality by removing noise and blemishes within the images.

Core Features of HitPaw VikPea

1. Upscale Anime videos: HitPaw includes a specialized feature to enhance and restore animation videos to bring out their best quality. It is a must-have for users who frequently work with anime content to let them achieve high-resolution results.

2. Colorize Black and White Videos: Users can utilize this tool to upscale old black and white videos. The AI model automatically fills in vibrant colors, bringing life to monochrome visuals.

3. Fix Corrupted Videos: With HitPaw VikPea’s repair utility, you can restore or recover damaged videos. Using deep learning AI, it not only repairs corrupted videos but also adds natural colors to improve their overall quality.

Core Features of HitPaw FotorPea

1. Text-to-Image AI Art Generator: The text-to-image tool is an AI-powered feature that enables users to create visuals simply by describing them in text form. Users can input their ideas as prompts, and the AI will analyze the text to generate images accordingly.

2. Create Passport Photos: Using this tool, you can create perfect ID photos seamlessly. You just need to upload your image and select the background color and size that best fits your requirements.

3. AI Portraits: With the AI Portrait tool, users can quickly turn their uploaded images into stunning artworks across various styles. By using AI, the tool analyzes and recreates each image in a captivating artistic style, providing a fresh look for any photo.

Complementing Copilot – Targeting Media Enhancement Needs

While Microsoft Copilot is powerful for enhancing productivity through AI in applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, it is not specifically designed for media enhancement. For example, with Microsoft Copilot within PowerPoint, you can generate captivating presentations with a simple prompt. However, for creators who need to post and enhance media content frequently, specialized tools like HitPaw VikPea and FotorPea are essential.

Conclusion

After a lengthy discussion, we can conclude that Microsoft 365 Copilot significantly streamlines the workflow across various Microsoft applications by automating tasks. You’ve come to know about the releasing details and availability criteria of Copilot for a better understanding of the platform.

However, media enhancement lacks the required functionalities, which call for alternative options. For these purposes, HitPaw VikPea and FotorPea are the best tools, offering dedicated features specifically designed for visual content editing and enhancements.