Effective August 7, 2025, Microsoft has started rolling out GPT-5, the latest generative AI model from OpenAI, in Microsoft Copilot Chat. This update introduces new capabilities for users with and without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, including enhanced reasoning, faster responses, and improved access to work-related data.
What is Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat?
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365. It helps users complete tasks, answer questions, and analyze data using large language models (LLMs).
Both « Microsoft 365 Copilot » and « Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat » (formerly « Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise », then « Microsoft Copilot ») licenses provide access to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.
What is GPT-5?
GPT‑5 is OpenAI’s best AI system to-date. With the introduction of GPT-5 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 5), Copilot Chat now offers more intelligent and context-aware responses at no additional cost.
What makes GPT-5 better?
Before the transition to GPT-5 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 5), Microsoft Copilot Chat used GPT-4o as the underlying large language model (LLM).
With GPT-5, you benefit from:
- Smarter model selection: GPT-5 automatically chooses the best model based on your prompt’s complexity—simple or advanced.
- Improved reasoning: Handles multi-step tasks and context-rich analysis more effectively than previous models.
- Faster responses: Uses a high-speed model for quick answers to routine questions.
- Work data integration: Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users benefit from deeper access to emails, documents, and meetings for more tailored responses.
Availability
- Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed Users: Users with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses have immediate access to GPT-5. These users will see a new “Try GPT-5” button in Copilot Chat. Once activated, Copilot will use GPT-5 for that session and get priority access to GPT-5.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat Users: GPT-5 is now beginning to roll out for users without Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses. Full availability is expected in the coming weeks. These users will receive standard access.
- Copilot Studio: GPT-5 is now available in Copilot Studio. Users can select GPT-5 as the primary model for their custom agents and use it in prompts.
- Azure AI Foundry: All GPT-5 variations are now available, including:
- GPT-5: The most advanced version, ideal for complex tasks like analytics and code generation. It can handle very large amounts of information at once (up to 272,000 tokens).
- GPT-5 Mini: Designed for real-time use in apps and support agents. It’s fast and smart, helping solve customer problems quickly.
- GPT-5 Nano: Focuses on speed. Great for quick questions and answers where fast response is more important than deep analysis.
- GPT-5 Chat: Built for natural conversations that can include text, images, and more. It remembers context across multiple messages and supports up to 128,000 tokens.
How to Access GPT-5 in Copilot Chat
Access GPT-5 by clicking on « Try GPT-5 »: https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat/.
Tip: If you don’t see the button, that is because either:
- Your window is not wide enough. Enlarge the width to >1300 px. OR
- You are not licensed with Microsoft 365 Copilot. In that case, it can take another few weeks, before the button appears in your Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat experience.
Interested in Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses?
Tip: You can still save 15% on Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses in CSP with SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT: https://www.schneider.im/microsoft-copilot-for-microsoft-365-promotion-save-15/.
More information
Microsoft 365 Copilot Announcements: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/07/available-today-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot/
Microsoft Azure AI Foundry Announcements: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/gpt-5-in-azure-ai-foundry-the-future-of-ai-apps-and-agents-starts-here/.
Need help with your Microsoft licensing?
Contact SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT for optimize your Microsoft licensing strategy.
