Getting Started with M365 Copilot
Complete setup checklist for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Work through each section in order.
Time: ~20 minutes Requires: A Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot enabled.
1. Verify Your Subscription
Section titled “1. Verify Your Subscription”- Go to copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account
- Ensure your Microsoft 365 subscription has Copilot enabled
- If Copilot isn’t available, check with your IT admin or see Microsoft 365 Copilot plans
Official docs: Microsoft Copilot Help
2. Install and Update Apps
Section titled “2. Install and Update Apps”Update your Microsoft 365 apps to the latest version to enable Copilot features.
- Desktop: Update Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams to the latest version
- Mobile: App Store or Google Play
- Web: Access Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com
Sign in to each app with your Microsoft account.
3. Configure Copilot Features
Section titled “3. Configure Copilot Features”Copilot integrates directly into your Microsoft 365 apps. Explore key features:
- Copilot in Word: Draft, rewrite, and summarize documents
- Copilot in Excel: Analyze data, create formulas, and generate charts
- Copilot in Teams: Summarize meetings, create action items, and draft messages
- Copilot in Outlook: Draft emails, summarize threads, and suggest replies
Copilot uses your Microsoft Graph data (emails, files, calendar, chats) to provide contextual responses — no separate personalization step is needed.
Official docs: Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot
4. Add Skills (VS Code Copilot)
Section titled “4. Add Skills (VS Code Copilot)”After adding skills, you can say “edit this article for HBR quality” and VS Code Copilot applies professional editorial standards automatically — no re-explaining your requirements each time.
Download skill folders from GitHub and place them in .github/skills/ or .agents/skills/ in your project root. VS Code Copilot discovers them automatically.
→ How to Add Skills to Your Platform
You’re Done When
Section titled “You’re Done When”- Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot enabled
- Microsoft 365 desktop apps updated to latest version
- Mobile app installed on at least one device
- Copilot icon visible in at least one Microsoft 365 app (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.)
- At least one skill installed or added via VS Code Copilot (optional)