What Copilot in Outlook does and where to find it

Copilot in Outlook is an AI assistant built into the email program that helps you draft messages, summarize long email threads, and suggest replies. It appears as a button in your compose window and in your inbox once you turn it on. The feature is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions that have Copilot Pro, and it works on Outlook for Windows, Mac, and the web version.

Before you enable it, check which version of Outlook you have. If you use Outlook as a standalone program (not through a web browser), you need the latest version. If you use Outlook on the web, you access it directly through your browser without installing anything on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot in Outlook requires a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot Pro and works on Windows, Mac, and web versions of Outlook.
  • On Windows and Mac, you turn on Copilot through Settings in Outlook, then restart the program for the feature to appear.
  • On Outlook on the web, Copilot appears automatically if your subscription includes it — no separate setup step is needed.
  • Once enabled, the Copilot button shows in your compose window and next to email threads so you can draft, summarize, or get reply suggestions.

Enabling Copilot on Outlook for Windows

Open Outlook and go to File in the top left corner. Click Options at the bottom of the menu that appears. In the Options window, select General from the list on the left side.

Scroll down until you see the section labeled Copilot. Check the box next to "Turn on Copilot in Outlook" or a similar option (the exact wording varies by Outlook version). Click OK to save your changes. Close Outlook completely and reopen it. The Copilot button should now appear in your compose window and next to email threads in your inbox.

If you do not see the Copilot option in Settings, your version of Outlook may be outdated. Go to File, then Office Account, and click Update Options to check for updates. Install any available updates and restart Outlook.

Enabling Copilot on Outlook for Mac

Open Outlook and click Outlook in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Preferences from the dropdown. In the Preferences window, look for General and click it.

Scroll to find the Copilot section and check the box to turn it on. Click the close button to save your changes. Quit Outlook completely (use Command+Q or click Outlook in the menu bar and select Quit Outlook

If the Copilot option does not appear, make sure your Mac version of Outlook is current. Click Outlook in the menu bar, select Check for Updates, and install any available updates before trying again.

Using Copilot on Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web (the version you access through your browser at outlook.com or outlook.office.com) does not require a separate setup step. If your Microsoft 365 subscription includes Copilot Pro, the feature turns on automatically.

When you compose a new email, look for a Copilot button or icon on the right side of the compose box. If you see it, Copilot is already active. If you do not see it, your subscription may not include Copilot Pro, or you may need to sign out and sign back in to refresh your account.

To use Copilot on the web, click the button and choose what you want: draft a message from a prompt, summarize a thread, or get a suggested reply. Type your request or select the action, and Copilot generates text you can edit before sending.

What to do if Copilot does not appear after enabling it

If you turned on Copilot but the button still does not show, first make sure you fully closed and reopened Outlook. A straightforward restart of the program often fixes this. If it still does not appear, sign out of your Microsoft account within Outlook and sign back in.

On Windows, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings again, find your email account, and click Remove. Then click New Account and sign in again. On Mac, click Outlook in the menu bar, select Preferences, find Accounts, remove your account, and add it back.

If Copilot still does not appear, check that your Microsoft 365 subscription actually includes Copilot Pro. You can verify this by going to account.microsoft.com, signing in, and looking at your subscription details. If Copilot Pro is not listed, you may need to purchase it separately or upgrade your subscription.

Understanding what Copilot can and cannot do in Outlook

Copilot in Outlook works with the text of your emails and the emails in your inbox, but it does not have access to files, attachments, or information outside Outlook. It can draft new messages based on your instructions, rewrite existing drafts in a different tone, summarize email threads to help you catch up quickly, and suggest replies to incoming messages.

Copilot cannot send emails on its own — you always review and click send. It also cannot access your calendar, contacts, or other Microsoft 365 apps unless you explicitly copy information into Outlook. The feature works best when you give it clear instructions: instead of "make this better," try "make this more formal" or "keep this to two sentences."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay extra for Copilot in Outlook?

Copilot in Outlook is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions that have Copilot Pro. If your subscription does not include it, you may be able to purchase Copilot Pro separately through your Microsoft account settings. Check your subscription details at account.microsoft.com to see what you have.

Can I turn off Copilot after I enable it?

Yes. On Windows or Mac, go back to Outlook Settings or Preferences, find the Copilot section, and uncheck the box. On Outlook on the web, you cannot disable it at the program level, but you can straightforward ignore the Copilot button and not use it.

Will Copilot read my private emails?

Copilot only processes the emails you ask it to work with — when you click the Copilot button on a specific message or thread. It does not automatically read or analyze all your emails. Microsoft encrypts this data and does not use it to train its AI models.

What if Copilot is not available in my country?

Copilot in Outlook is not available in all regions. If the feature does not appear even after you enable it and update Outlook, it may not be supported in your location yet. Check Microsoft's regional availability page or contact Microsoft support for information about when it may become available in your area.

Can I use Copilot in Outlook on my phone?

Copilot in Outlook is not currently available on the mobile versions of Outlook for iPhone or Android. You can use it on Windows, Mac, and Outlook on the web through your phone's browser, though the experience may be smaller on a phone screen.