Microsoft 365 Copilot Gets a Speed Boost and Cleaner Design
Microsoft is rolling out a major update to its AI-powered productivity assistant, Microsoft 365 Copilot. The revamped version features a cleaner design and promises to load twice as fast as before, according to the company. This update aims to deliver more reliable and structured responses that are easier for users to scan and act upon.
Key Improvements in the Redesign
The new Copilot interface is rolling out across both desktop and mobile devices. One of the standout features is progressive disclosure. Instead of overwhelming users with a full set of options at once, Copilot now intelligently presents tools and controls based on your specific prompt.
Enhanced Prompt Box
The upgraded prompt box now supports direct text formatting and expands automatically to accommodate everything you type or paste. This makes it easier to compose detailed requests without losing context.
How Copilot Integrates with Microsoft 365 Apps
Inside core Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Copilot operates from a convenient side panel. Users can ask questions, get suggestions, or make changes to documents directly. A dedicated chat window can also be opened from within a paragraph, spreadsheet cell, or slide, providing contextual AI assistance exactly where it’s needed.
Industry Context and Competition
This redesign comes shortly after Google launched a similar design update for its Gemini AI app, which also structures responses based on user prompts. Microsoft’s focus on speed and cleaner UI is part of a broader trend in AI assistants prioritizing user experience and response clarity.
Related Developments
Microsoft recently launched a feature called “vibe working” across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, further integrating AI into everyday productivity tasks.
Comment