Microsoft Copilot arrived as an AI layer across Windows, Microsoft 365, and cloud consoles, but many users experienced it less as a breakthrough and more as another interface demanding attention. In Word, Outlook, and Teams it could draft and summarize, yet the output often required careful editing for tone, accuracy, and missing context—work people didn't expect to add to already busy days. In Excel and PowerPoint, where users want precision and control, Copilot sometimes felt unreliable or slower than familiar formulas, templates, and search. The assistant also raised awkward "can I paste this?" moments: uncertainty about sensitive data and organizational policies led users to withhold the very details that would make results useful.

When Copilot appeared prominently in UI, some interpreted it as being pushed rather than chosen, increasing resistance. Finally, the pricing model turned mild curiosity into hard scrutiny; if Copilot only saves a few minutes occasionally, a per‑user monthly fee looks like paying for prompts plus extra proofreading. The net effect was skepticism: helpful in pockets, but not essential, not trusted enough for critical work, and not compelling enough to budget for at scale. Adoption stalled where training was thin, and the benefit story never became personal enough.