Get ready for Copilot for Microsoft 365
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered productivity tool that uses large language models (LLMs) and integrates your data with the Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 Apps. It works alongside popular Microsoft 365 Apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Copilot for Microsoft 365 provides real-time intelligent assistance, enabling users to enhance their creativity, productivity, and skills.
Prerequisites for Copilot for Microsoft 365
Before you can access Copilot for Microsoft 365, you must meet the following requirements:
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. Copilot for Microsoft 365 integration requires the core Office productivity apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Organizations should deploy the latest cloud-connected enterprise versions to all employee devices. They should keep apps updated to enable Copilot for Microsoft 365's full capabilities as they evolve. For example, Copilot for Microsoft 365 can suggest content edits directly within Word documents. Having Office apps locally installed ensures tight integration. To get started with the implementation process, see Deployment guide for Microsoft 365 Apps.
Note
Users must be assigned one of the following base licenses to get Copilot for Microsoft 365 as an add-on license: Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 for Enterprise, A3 or A5 faculty, or Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium.
Microsoft Entra-based account. Every employee using Copilot for Microsoft 365 must have a Microsoft Entra account to authenticate. This design ensures that all users sign in using Microsoft Entra credentials. Legacy local accounts that can't authenticate to the cloud limit Copilot for Microsoft 365 functionality. To learn more, see Microsoft Entra ID.
Note
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is now Microsoft Entra ID. Learn more.
OneDrive accounts. Copilot for Microsoft 365's integration with enterprise OneDrive accounts enables it to collaborate on content. You should consider provisioning 1-TB OneDrive to every user. For more information, see Sign in or create an account for OneDrive.
New Outlook for Windows. To get Copilot for Microsoft 365's interactive suggestions within Outlook email, install the latest preview version of Outlook desktop. The new version enables Copilot for Microsoft 365 integration as it evolves. For more information, see Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows.
Microsoft Teams. Use the Teams desktop or web app to enable Copilot for Microsoft 365 within Teams chats, meetings, and channels. Mobile-only users have limited functionality. You can download the desktop client here or sign into the web app. Copilot for Microsoft 365 supports both the current and the new version of Teams. For more information, see Copilot for Microsoft 365 in Teams.
Microsoft Loop. Activate Loop in your tenant to bring Copilot for Microsoft 365 into Loop collaborative canvases. Doing so powers next-generation group productivity scenarios. For more information on enabling Loop, see Copilot for Microsoft 365 in Loop.
Update channels. User devices must be on either Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel to access Copilot for Microsoft 365 features. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is available on Current Channel starting November 2023, and a month later on Monthly Enterprise Channel. To learn more about update channels, see update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps.
Network requirements. The services in Copilot for Microsoft 365 connect to endpoints contained within the Microsoft 365 endpoint taxonomy. As with all Microsoft 365 services, Microsoft recommends that customers align their network with the Microsoft 365 network connectivity principles. Doing so helps provide the best experience with Copilot for Microsoft 365 through minimization of latency and increased network quality of service for critical network flows. There are many experiences in Copilot for Microsoft 365, including some core experiences like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Loop that use WebSocket connections (wss://) from the device running the Microsoft 365 app to a Microsoft service. To use these experiences, you must allow WebSocket connections from user endpoints to the endpoints listed in Microsoft's endpoint taxonomy, specifically in ID number 46 in the section for Microsoft 365 Common and Office Online.
To fully implement Copilot for Microsoft 365's capabilities, an organization's IT team should ensure the company meets the following key prerequisites prior to broader rollout:
Cloud-based Microsoft 365 licenses. Copilot for Microsoft 365 integrates deeply with Microsoft 365 cloud services. As such, organizations should ensure that all users have cloud-based Microsoft 365 licenses rather than legacy on-premises licenses. Cloud-connected licenses provide access to the company's latest features.
Note
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is generally available as an add-on to customers that have one of the following subscription plans: Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, A3 or A5 faculty, Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium, or Office 365 E3 or E5.
End user training. Organizations must ensure their users understand Copilot for Microsoft 365's capabilities to set proper user expectations. They should develop training materials and FAQs to educate users on how best to work with Copilot for Microsoft 365. They should also collect and develop training resources to educate end users on how to benefit from Copilot for Microsoft 365 suggestions. Setting expectations upfront is key to driving user adoption. They should also consider providing incentives for completing Copilot for Microsoft 365 training. For guidance on using Copilot for Microsoft 365 in the various Microsoft 365 apps, see Copilot for Microsoft 365 capabilities.
Helpdesk readiness. Prepare helpdesk teams to be familiar with AI. Doing so results in better customer support and instills confidence in the Helpdesk team. Early training of Helpdesk personnel early also helps get them invested in the success of Copilot for Microsoft 365 adoption. When Helpdesk teams understand Copilot for Microsoft 365, they can answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and guide customers more effectively, all of which leads to improved customer satisfaction.
Tip
Windows 11 provides the best experience for Copilot for Microsoft 365. While using Windows 11 isn't a Copilot for Microsoft 365 prerequisite, organizations should consider upgrading eligible devices to Windows 11 to enable full Copilot for Microsoft 365 functionality.
Preparing for the launch of Copilot for Microsoft 365
As an administrator rolling out Copilot for Microsoft 365 in your organization, you play a key role in ensuring its successful adoption. Here are some best practices to optimize Copilot for Microsoft 365 and help your users get the most value:
- Identify early adopter teams or individuals to pilot Copilot for Microsoft 365 and provide feedback. Organizations should consider employing a structured rollout plan that includes good change management practices. For example, when rolling out Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can consider launching it in a limited pilot group first. Doing so allows you to gather feedback, assess value, and optimize configurations before a wider rollout. You can then scale usage and customize it for more teams once the pilot demonstrates results. Recruit IT staff, administrative assistants, customer service reps, and other frequent Office users to be the first to try Copilot for Microsoft 365 and share their experience. Their input can help guide the broader organizational rollout. For more information, see Microsoft AI help and learning and Copilot for Microsoft 365 adoption.
- Monitor usage and feedback. Keep track of how extensively users are employing Copilot for Microsoft 365 across your organization. Look for teams or individuals who are early adopters and can provide useful feedback and can help champion Copilot for Microsoft 365 adoption among their coworkers. Solicit input from users on Copilot for Microsoft 365's suggestions. Was it helpful? Did it miss key contexts? Was training adequate? This type of feedback can help you improve user training.
- Evaluate security diligently. It's important that organizations use the permission models available in Microsoft 365 services to help ensure the right users or groups have the right access to the right content. Microsoft provides powerful security tools within its Microsoft 365 and Azure ecosystems to help organizations tighten permissions and implement "just enough access." Microsoft 365, Azure, and Copilot for Microsoft 365 all use the policies and settings that administrators define in these tools to prevent data oversharing. Administrators should verify their organization's security practices as they relate to permissions, sensitivity labeling, and data access to help prevent potential oversharing of proprietary and sensitive business data.
Optimizing Copilot for Microsoft 365 requires ongoing supervision, feedback gathering, and configuration as it learns. By taking proactive steps to prepare, organizations can ensure a smooth rollout of Copilot for Microsoft 365. They can also immediately realize productivity gains when they launch Copilot for Microsoft 365.
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