Copilot

Updated for version: October 26, 2025

Accessible via: https://copilot.microsoft.com/, Teams, Outlook

Optional login via: Google, Microsoft, or Apple (Automatic login in Teams and Outlook)

Page contents

Ratings

Accuracy / Quality ★★★☆☆

Flexibility / Features ★★★☆ ☆

Data security / Privacy ★★★☆☆

Pros/cons

Pros

  • Available as side feature in some office programmes
  • Ability to make personalized agents
  • User-controlled option for data deletion

Cons

  • Limited settings and customization
  • Highly dependent on organizational settings

Description

Copilot is an AI powered made by Microsoft. The tool uses Microsoft Prometheus to combine the outputs of OpenAI’s language model with Bing search results. Depending on the users settings, the underlying OpenAI model can be set to GPT-4o or GPT-5. In many ways, Copilot works the same as all other Large Language Models, as it is accessible via an app and website. One distinguishing feature is the integration of Copilot in several Microsoft programmes such as Outlook and Teams as side feature.

The more extensive copilot integrations (in e.g. Excel and Word) are currently unavailable on WUR-accounts due to current privacy risks identified by SURF.

Features and examples

Copilot in Edge and Teams

Copilot can not only be accessed via the website, but can also be accessed via Edge and MS Teams. In Edge, you can easily access Copilot via the top right corner of the screen. To use copilot in Teams, the app must first be added via the app store in the sidebar (the left button of the picture below). Once downloaded, you can quickly access Copilot in Teams via the three dots in the sidebar of these programmes:

Editing Microsoft documents

Although Copilot is not fully integrated in Microsoft programmes under the current WUR license, files from these programmes can still be uploaded and edited via Copilot. You can upload PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents via the [+]-button in the chat box and ask copilot to analyse data, restructure text, convert files (e.g. Word to PowerPoint) and much more.

When uploading documents to AI-models, beware of the data security risks!

Privacy settings

Although copilot automatically keeps record of all user inputs, you can easily delete all user data via your Microsoft privacy settings. You can access these setting via this link or Copilot > Settings > Privacy > Edit Privacy Settings > Copilot activity history > Delete history.

Agents

Copilots Agent function allows you to make personalized version of copilot, with specific personality traits, instructions and tools. Similar to OpenAI’s custom GPTs, Agents you can create your own Agent, or use preconfigured Agents. Whereas ChatGPT allows you to upload background documents for context, Copilot only allows you to provide background knowledge in the form of public websites. One advantage that Copilot Agents have over GPTs is the availability of templates.
You can make and access copilots via the sidebar in Copilot:

 

For more information of how to set up an AI agent or assistant, please visit this knowledge base on GPTs

Copilots Agents are often described as GPTs with enhanced autonomous functionalities like planning meetings, organizing folders, automatically ordering items on webstores. Under the current WUR Copilot license, many of these functionalities are not available.