Microsoft 365 Copilot Prerequisites: What You Need to Know

With the entire Microsoft world talking about Copilot, it’s easy to get sucked into a fast-forwarded implementation and miss out on key elements.

The old adage of “failing to prepare is preparing to fail” will continue to ring true if you fail to check off the prerequisites in this guide.

Let’s get started with the very basics and move onto some more technical Microsoft 365 Copilot prerequisites.

Who can use Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Copilot licenses are available to:

  • Business and Enterprise tenants with qualifying Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriptions
  • Education institutions (faculty and students aged 18+) on Microsoft 365 A1, A3, or A5 plans
  • Consumers via Copilot Pro on Microsoft 365 Personal or Family

What is needed to use Microsoft Copilot?

  • Qualifying Microsoft 365 license (E3, E5, Business Premium, etc.) plus the Copilot add-on at $30/user/month
  • Active Microsoft Entra ID account
  • Primary mailbox on Exchange Online
  • Microsoft 365 Apps installed and kept up to date on the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel
  • Third-party cookies enabled for web-based Copilot experiences

You may also like: 8 Reasons You Should Be Using Copilot Chat Today

What 365 license do you need for Copilot?

Ultimately, you need a qualifying Microsoft 365 license (E3, E5, Business Premium, etc.) plus the Copilot add-on at $30/user/month

Copilot is supported on the following base licenses: 

  • Business Plans: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, Premium; Microsoft 365 Apps for Business
  • Enterprise Plans: Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F1, F3; Office 365 E1, E3, E5, F3
  • Education Plans: Microsoft 365 A1, A3, A5; Office 365 A1, A3, A5
  • Standalone Services: Teams Essentials, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, Planner, Project, Visio

You may also like: Microsoft Copilot Implementation Plan: The First 10 Steps

What are the technical requirements for Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Operating System & Device Compatibility

  • Windows 10 (latest updates) or Windows 11
  • macOS (latest supported versions)
  • iOS 14+ and Android 8.0+ with Microsoft 365 mobile apps

App & Network Configuration

  • Microsoft 365 Apps deployed and updated
  • Device-based licensing is not supported
  • Enable third-party cookies for web-based apps

Allow network traffic to:

  • copilot.microsoft.com, *.copilot.microsoft.com
  • *.bing.com, *.bingapis.com
  • *.cloud.microsoft.com, *.office.com (WebSocket support required)

You may also like: How To Create Virtual Agents Using Copilot

Are there any other prerequisites for Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Depending on your appetite for AI involvement and Copilot implementation around different parts of your business, you may be interested in (and need to abide by) the following:

Governance, Security & Compliance

Data Governance & Oversharing Controls

Use SharePoint Advanced Management to enforce site lifecycle policies, archive inactive sites, and run Data Access Governance (DAG) reports to detect and remediate overshared content.

Security & Compliance Readiness

  • Review and update Conditional Access policies.
  • Enable Microsoft Purview for sensitivity labeling, DLP, and insider risk management.

Pilot Testing & Adoption

  • Set up a test environment with Copilot licenses.
  • Conduct pilot testing with a small user group.
  • Develop a communication plan to drive adoption.
  • Use the Microsoft 365 Copilot Optimization Assessment to evaluate readiness.

Copilot App Deployment

Microsoft automatically deploys the Copilot app to eligible devices. Administrators can manage deployment via: Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center → Customization → Device Configuration → Modern App Settings

Note: Automatic app deployment is disabled in the European Economic Area (EEA); Copilot service remains available.

Training & Resources

Microsoft provides:

  • Success Kit and Launch Day Kit
  • Scenario Library
  • Instructor-led QuickStart sessions
  • Copilot Prompt Gallery

You can also take advantage of Microsoft partners who offer custom training, workshops, and resources.

As Microsoft Partner of the Year 2023 (and finalist in 22 and 24), we’re uniquely positioned to offer tailored training and co-branded resources: