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    Using Microsoft Copilot on Your Phone and Computer

    Microsoft Copilot is a free AI assistant from Microsoft that can answer questions, generate images, and help you write — available on any phone or computer.

    4 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Access Copilot from your phone or computer

    ~33s
    On a phone, search for "Microsoft Copilot" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and install the free app. On a computer, open any web browser and go to copilot.microsoft.com — no download required. On a Windows 11 PC, you can also press the Windows key plus C to open Copilot as a side panel. Signing in with a free Microsoft account is optional for basic use but unlocks longer conversations and your history.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you already use Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox, you have a Microsoft account. Use those same credentials to sign in to Copilot.

    2

    Choose a conversation style before you ask

    ~19s
    At the top of the Copilot chat screen, you will see three options: Creative, Balanced, and Precise. Tap or click on the one that fits what you need. Choose Creative when brainstorming ideas or writing something fun. Choose Balanced for everyday questions. Choose Precise when you want a short, accurate factual answer without extra commentary.
    3

    Ask a question or request help with writing

    ~26s
    Type your question or request in the message box and press Enter or tap the send button. You can ask Copilot to write a cover letter, explain a medical term in plain language, summarize a news article you paste in, or help you reply to a difficult email. If the first response is not quite right, ask Copilot to revise it — for example, "Can you make that shorter?" or "Can you make the tone friendlier?"
    4

    Generate an image with Designer

    ~28s
    Type a description of the image you want and ask Copilot to create it. For example: "Create a watercolor painting of a golden retriever sitting in a sunny garden." Copilot will use Microsoft's Designer tool to generate several image options. You can download any image you like. This works well for creating greeting card designs, simple illustrations, or fun artwork for personal use.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Be detailed in your image descriptions. Mention the style (painting, photo, cartoon), the subject, and the setting or mood for better results.

    5

    Use Copilot inside Word or Outlook (Microsoft 365 users)

    ~33s
    If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, open Microsoft Word and look for the Copilot icon in the Home ribbon at the top. Click it and describe the document you want to create, or highlight existing text and ask Copilot to rewrite or improve it. In Outlook, open any long email thread and click the Copilot button to get a plain-English summary of the whole conversation, so you do not have to read every message.

    Warning

    Copilot inside Word, Excel, and Outlook with full capabilities may require a Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on license, which costs extra beyond the standard Microsoft 365 subscription.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: Using Microsoft Copilot on Your Phone and Computer

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, powered by the same technology behind ChatGPT. It is built into Windows 11, available as a free app for iPhone and Android, and accessible in any web browser at copilot.microsoft.com. You do not need a Microsoft account to use the basic version — you can start asking questions right away.

    Copilot can answer questions, help you write emails or letters, summarize articles, explain confusing topics, and even create images from a text description. The image creation tool (called Designer) is included for free with Copilot and can generate artwork, greeting card designs, or illustrations based on whatever you describe.

    If you use Microsoft 365 — the subscription service that includes Word, Excel, Outlook, and other apps — Copilot is also built directly into those tools. In Word, it can help you draft or rewrite documents. In Excel, it can analyze data and create formulas. In Outlook, it can summarize long email threads and suggest replies. Some of these deeper Microsoft 365 features require a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license, but the general assistant features are free.

    Copilot offers three conversation styles you can choose from: Creative gives you more imaginative and playful answers, Balanced is good for general questions, and Precise gives you shorter and more fact-focused responses. Switching between these styles changes how Copilot approaches your question.

    On Windows 11, you can open Copilot by pressing the Windows key and the letter C at the same time, or by clicking the Copilot icon in the taskbar. It slides out as a panel on the right side of your screen without interrupting what you were working on.

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    Using Microsoft Copilot on Your Phone and Computer — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure