If you’ve opened Microsoft 365 Copilot recently, you may have noticed a “New Copilot” toggle appearing in the top-right corner. Microsoft has redesigned the Copilot experience to make it feel more natural, more focused, and better connected to the way we actually work. 

While the old version worked well, the new design brings a cleaner interface, puts the prompt box front and centre, and makes it easier to access the information Copilot can use to help you. 

What’s Different?

1. A Cleaner, Simpler Workspace

The first thing you'll notice is the refreshed layout. Microsoft has reduced visual clutter and created a more streamlined experience that lets you focus on the conversation rather than navigating menus. 

The prompt box is now the main focus, giving you more space to explain what you need and helping Copilot understand your requests more clearly. 

2. Work IQ Replaces the Work/Web Toggle

One of the biggest changes is the removal of the familiar Work and Web toggle.

Instead, the new experience introduces Work IQ, Microsoft's intelligent layer that helps Copilot determine the most relevant sources for your question. It can draw information from emails, files, meetings, people, and web content without requiring you to switch modes manually. 

For many users, this means less thinking about where the information lives and more focus on getting the answer they need.

3. Faster Access to Your Data

Below the prompt box you'll now find shortcuts to:

• Files

• Emails

• Meetings

• People

• Other Microsoft 365 content sources

This makes it easier to tell Copilot exactly where you'd like it to look when answering a question. 

4. Better Performance

Microsoft says the redesign isn't just about appearance. The new experience has been engineered to feel faster and more responsive, helping users move from a question to an outcome with fewer clicks.

Why Make the Switch?

The new Copilot experience helps:

• Making it easier to know where to start

• Reducing interface clutter

• Surfacing helpful tools when they're needed

• Making enterprise data more accessible

• Creating a more natural conversation experience

For many users, it feels less like a search tool and more like having a knowledgeable colleague sitting beside you.

How to Turn On the New Design

If the feature is available in your organisation:

1. Open Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.

2. Look in the top-right corner for the New Copilot toggle.

3. Switch it on.

4. The interface will immediately change to the new Work IQ experience. 

Don't see the toggle yet?

Microsoft is rolling the new experience out gradually, so some users may receive it before others. Organisations can have a mix of experiences during the rollout period. 

Our Recommendation

Turn it on and give it a try.

The new experience may feel a little different at first, especially if you're used to switching between Work and Web. However, most people quickly adapt and appreciate the cleaner interface and easier access to organisational information.

As with any technology change, the goal isn't to learn a new screen. It's to get better outcomes from the tool. And that's exactly what Microsoft's redesign is aiming to achieve.

Pro Tip: Once you're using the new design, take a few minutes to update your personalisation settings. Tell Copilot your preferred tone, spelling style, formatting preferences, and how you like information presented. This can significantly improve the quality of responses you receive. 

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