Microsoft 365 Copilot hits roughly 1 million users, Fortune reports

Fortune reported on Thursday that Microsoft 365 Copilot has roughly 1 million active users, a figure that puts a hard number on how many people are regularly using Microsoft’s flagship workplace AI product. The report said the active-user count sits against about 20 million Microsoft 365 Copilot users in 2026, underscoring the gap between paid deployment and routine use. Microsoft had already said in late April that paid Microsoft 365 Copilot seats had passed 20 million. In recent days, the company and its GitHub unit have also changed how users encounter Copilot inside Office apps and on the web. ### Where does the 1 million figure come from? Fortune reported on May 21 that roughly 1 million of about 20 million Microsoft 365 users are actively using Copilot, citing people familiar with the matter. The report framed the figure as part of a broader look at Microsoft’s AI push under Chief Executive Satya Nadella. Microsoft itself has publicly disclosed the larger seat count. TechCrunch reported on April 29 that Microsoft said paid Microsoft 365 Copilot seats had surpassed 20 million, and other outlets citing the company said that total was up from 15 million in January. ### What is Microsoft changing inside Word, Excel and PowerPoint? Microsoft said on May 12 that it is rolling out a new Copilot button and updated shortcuts across Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Windows and Mac. In a Microsoft 365 Insider post, the company said the changes are designed to create “fewer, more predictable entry points” for Copilot in those apps. The new entry point is a floating button that sits in the document canvas rather than only in the ribbon. Microsoft said the rollout is underway for Windows and Mac, with web support coming later, and that the changes will reach general availability by early June. Office Watch separately reported that the floating button is permanent on screen by default, though users can shrink or dock it. ### Why is GitHub narrowing model choice in Copilot Chat on the web? GitHub said on May 20 that it had “updated our available model selection for Copilot Chat on the web” to deliver “more consistent, high-quality responses.” In the changelog entry, GitHub said all Gemini models and several other models, including GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.4 nano, had been removed from Copilot Chat on github.com. GitHub said OpenAI and Claude models across price points remain available across Copilot plans. The company added that web chat will support a more limited set of new model rollouts as it works to ensure performance. ### How do those product changes fit with Microsoft’s broader push? April 29 is the clearest public marker for Microsoft’s current sales pitch. On that date, reports citing Microsoft said the company had crossed 20 million paid Microsoft 365 Copilot seats, with large enterprise deployments including Accenture and other corporate customers. The latest product changes show Microsoft still adjusting the way Copilot is presented to users after those sales. The Office app redesign increases visibility inside Word, Excel and PowerPoint, while GitHub’s model changes reduce choice on the web in favor of consistency, according to the company’s changelog. ### What should readers watch next? Early June is the next date to watch. Microsoft said the floating Copilot button and revised shortcuts in Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Windows and Mac are due to reach general availability by then, with web support still listed as coming soon.