Start a conversation in Microsoft Copilot Cowork (Preview)

Important

Microsoft Copilot Cowork for personal accounts is currently in Preview.

This information relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before it's released. Microsoft makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Describe what you want Cowork to do in natural language, or select one of the suggested prompts on the home page.

  1. Open Microsoft Copilot.
  2. Select Cowork in the top toggle next to Chat.
  3. Enter your request in the text box. You can type up to 16,000 characters. For example: Send an email to the marketing team summarizing last week's campaign results.

You can also:

  • Attach files: Drag and drop files onto the text box, select Upload images and files to browse your device, or select Attach cloud files to pick files from OneDrive or, for enterprise accounts, SharePoint or Teams. These options appear when you select the plus sign (+) in the text box.

  • Use voice input: To speak your request instead of typing, select the microphone button in the text box.

Follow along as Cowork works

After you send your message, Cowork processes your request and shows each step in the conversation:

  • Thinking indicator: Shows that Cowork is processing your request.
  • Skill messages: Indicate when Cowork loads a skill it needs, such as "Preparing to compose emails" or "Preparing to create Word documents."
  • Step-by-step updates: Show what Cowork is doing at each stage, such as "Composing your email" or "Creating your presentation."
  • Streaming response: The response appears in real time as Cowork works.
  • Interactive cards: Some responses include interactive cards with structured layouts, buttons, and data displays directly in the conversation.

Cowork might also ask you a question to clarify your request. When this happens, you see a set of choices to pick from. Select an option, type your own answer, or select Skip to let Cowork continue without additional input.

If you think of something else while Cowork is still working, you can send another message, and Cowork will adjust its approach accordingly.

Control the conversation

You can manage or interrupt Cowork's work at any time during a conversation:

  • Pause: Cowork finishes its current step and then pauses. You can also interrupt to pause immediately, even mid-step.
  • Resume: Continue from where Cowork stopped.
  • Cancel: Stop the current task entirely. You can send a new message without needing to resume.

More ways to work with Cowork