Which Copilot are you looking at?
Start by identifying the product and account. Consumer Copilot is available through its own web and app experiences. Copilot in Microsoft 365 relates to productivity tools and subscriptions. GitHub Copilot is a separate coding product. A tutorial for one is not automatically a guide to another.
This is often the reason a promised button is missing. Before troubleshooting, check the exact app, whether you are signed in personally or through work, and the license or settings that apply.
A practical first task
For consumer Copilot, try our example: “Help me write a polite message asking a service provider to explain a charge. Use only these facts. Do not accuse anyone or invent dates.” Use fictional details while learning.
Read the draft carefully. An assistant may make a message sound more forceful than you intend or add a claim that is unsupported. Ask for a neutral revision and keep the final decision about sending it with you.
What changes inside Microsoft 365?
Features within Microsoft 365 depend on the relevant subscription and account configuration. Work access can also depend on the license assigned by an administrator. Having a Microsoft account does not prove that every Copilot feature in Word, Excel or Teams is included.
For a spreadsheet task, a generated explanation should be checked against the actual cells and formulas. For a meeting summary, compare decisions and owners with the original record. A polished result is useful only if it preserves the underlying facts.
Microsoft Copilot versus GitHub Copilot
Microsoft’s consumer assistant is a general conversation product. GitHub Copilot assists with software-development workflows. Their shared name does not mean a subscription, permission or feature transfers between them.
If your goal is to draft an email, start with the general assistant or the relevant productivity app. If your goal is to work in a code editor, investigate the coding product and your development environment instead.
Accounts, privacy and paid features
Microsoft distinguishes personal accounts from organization-managed identities. Use the intended account type and read its privacy and permission information. Do not move confidential work into a personal account merely because the interface looks familiar.
Check the current feature list before purchasing. For Canadian billing, confirm the currency, taxes and renewal terms shown at checkout rather than assuming a US comparison applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Consumer Copilot has free access. Features in Microsoft 365 and other products have their own plan and license requirements.
Why do I not see Copilot in Word?
Check the subscription, app version, account and administrator settings. A consumer Copilot account does not imply every Office feature is included.
Is GitHub Copilot the same product?
No. It is a coding product with a distinct workflow and access terms.
Can I trust a Copilot summary?
Use it as a draft. Check important statements, dates, numbers and commitments against the source material.
Sources and review
We checked these official sources on September 30, 2026. Product descriptions come from the maker’s documentation; examples and evaluation advice are AI Speed’s editorial suggestions, not measured performance claims. Plans, limits and availability can change. We have not tested every feature or certified the service’s privacy or output quality.