Upgraded to Office 365 Premium subscription (personal) and cannot get Copilot to appear in the apps

Copilot not appearing in Outlook and other Microsoft 365 apps after upgrading is typically caused by licensing, update channel, or privacy settings.

Follow these steps on the Windows desktop apps (including Outlook New for Windows):

1. Confirm the correct account and license
   • In any Microsoft 365 app (Word, Excel, Outlook):
     1. Select File > Account.
     2. Under User Information, make sure the account shown at the top is the one with the upgraded personal subscription that includes Copilot (for home users this is Microsoft 365 Personal/Family with Copilot Pro).
     3. For new or local files, the current primary account must be the Copilot-licensed account.
2. Make sure the apps are fully updated
   • In the same File > Account page:
     1. Under Product Information, use Update Options to install the latest Office updates.
     2. Close and reopen Outlook and other apps after the update.
   • Details: see Install Office updates.
3. Refresh the Copilot license in the apps
   • In any Microsoft 365 app on Windows:
     1. Go to File > Account.
     2. Select Update License.
     3. Close all Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and start them again so the license refresh takes effect.
4. Check the update channel (for business scenarios; skip if purely personal)
   • If this device is joined to an organization and using a business subscription as well:
     1. In File > Account, under Product Information, check the update channel.
     2. If it shows Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, Copilot features will not be available.
     3. The organization must move the device to Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel for Copilot to work. Contact the organization’s help desk or admin if this applies.
5. Verify privacy settings are not blocking Copilot
   • In any Microsoft 365 app on Windows (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook):
     1. Go to File > Account.
     2. Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
     3. Ensure Experiences that analyze your content is turned On.
     4. Scroll down and ensure All connected experiences is turned On.
   • If the device is managed by an organization, these settings may be controlled by policy and an admin may need to change them.
6. If Copilot is still missing or disabled
   • The most common remaining causes are:
     • The license assignment is very recent and still propagating.
     • There are conflicting accounts signed in (for example, both personal and work/school) causing Copilot validation issues.
     • Network requirements for Copilot are not met.
     • Device-based licensing or Shared Computer Activation is in use (Copilot requires a user-based license and is not supported with SCA).
   • If none of the above applies and Copilot still does not appear, follow the troubleshooting flow in “Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly” and “How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps,” then contact Microsoft support if the problem persists.

References:

• How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps
• Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly