New Outlook vs Classic Outlook Copilot Drafting: Where to Find It

Microsoft 365 Copilot can draft email messages for you, but the button to start drafting appears in different places depending on whether you use the new Outlook or the classic Outlook. Many users open one version, look for the Copilot icon in the usual spot, and cannot find it. This article shows exactly where the Copilot drafting feature is located in each Outlook version and explains the differences in how you access it.

How Copilot Drafting Works in Outlook

Copilot Drafting uses the Microsoft 365 Copilot service to generate email text based on a short prompt you provide. You type something like “Decline the meeting invite politely” or “Summarize this week’s sales report,” and Copilot writes a complete draft. The feature requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license assigned to your user account. It works with Exchange Online mailboxes and does not support on-premises Exchange accounts.

Both the new Outlook and the classic Outlook include Copilot Drafting, but the user interface differs. The new Outlook uses a side pane for drafting, while the classic Outlook uses a dialog inside the compose window. The location of the Copilot button also varies depending on whether you are composing a new message or replying to an existing one.

Where to Find Copilot Drafting in New Outlook

The new Outlook is the default mail app for Windows 11 and is available as an optional upgrade in Windows 10. The Copilot drafting feature is located in the ribbon and in the compose window.

1. Open a new message
   Click the Home tab in the ribbon and select New Mail. A blank compose window opens.
2. Locate the Copilot button
   In the compose window, look at the top toolbar. The Copilot icon appears as a small purple diamond with sparkles. It is located between the Attach File button and the More Options button.
3. Click the Copilot button
   A side pane opens on the right side of the compose window labeled Draft with Copilot.
4. Enter your prompt
   Type a description of the email you want Copilot to write. For example, “Write a follow-up email to a client about the project timeline.” Then click Generate.
5. Review and insert the draft
   Copilot displays the generated draft in the side pane. Click Keep It to insert the text into the email body. Click Regenerate to try a different version.

In the new Outlook, the Copilot button also appears when you reply to or forward a message. Click Reply or Forward, and the Copilot button is in the same toolbar position inside the compose window.

Where to Find Copilot Drafting in Classic Outlook

Classic Outlook is the traditional desktop application included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Copilot drafting is available in two places: the ribbon for new messages and the Reading Pane for replies.

Composing a New Message

1. Open a new email
   Click Home > New Email. The compose window opens.
2. Find the Copilot button on the Message tab
   In the compose window, click the Message tab if it is not already selected. The Copilot button is in the Clipboard group, directly to the right of the Paste button. It shows a purple diamond icon with the label Copilot.
3. Click the Copilot button
   A dropdown menu appears with two options: Draft with Copilot and Auto-generate Suggestions. Select Draft with Copilot.
4. Enter your prompt
   A Draft with Copilot dialog opens inside the compose window. Type your prompt and click Generate.
5. Insert the draft
   Copilot inserts the generated text directly into the email body. You can edit it before sending.

Replying from the Reading Pane

Classic Outlook offers a unique way to draft replies without opening a new compose window. This method is faster for quick responses.

1. Select the message to reply to
   Click the email in your inbox so it appears in the Reading Pane.
2. Click Reply in the Reading Pane toolbar
   The toolbar at the top of the Reading Pane includes Reply, Reply All, and Forward buttons. Click Reply.
3. Locate the Copilot button
   After clicking Reply, a small inline reply box appears in the Reading Pane. The Copilot button is in the toolbar of that inline reply box, next to the Send button.
4. Enter your prompt
   Click the Copilot button and choose Draft with Copilot. Type your prompt in the dialog and click Generate.
5. Send or edit
   The draft appears in the inline reply box. You can edit the text or click Send immediately.

The Reading Pane inline reply feature is not available in the new Outlook. In the new Outlook, you must open the full compose window to use Copilot drafting for replies.

Key Differences Between New and Classic Outlook Copilot Drafting

The most important difference is the location of the Copilot button. In the new Outlook, the button is inside the compose window toolbar, not in the ribbon. In classic Outlook, the button is on the Message tab of the compose window ribbon. For replies, classic Outlook offers the inline reply method, which is faster. The new Outlook requires a full compose window for all replies.

Another difference is the drafting interface. New Outlook uses a side pane that stays open while you work. Classic Outlook uses a dialog that appears inside the compose window. Both produce the same quality of generated text, but the side pane in new Outlook allows you to see the original email and the prompt at the same time without switching windows.

Common Issues When Copilot Drafting Does Not Appear

Copilot button is grayed out or missing

The Copilot button appears grayed out when your Microsoft 365 Copilot license is not assigned or has expired. Check your license status in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. In classic Outlook, the Copilot button may also be grayed out if you are using an older version that does not support the feature. Update Outlook to the latest version through File > Office Account > Update Options.

Copilot drafting is available in new Outlook but not in classic Outlook

This happens when your classic Outlook is not connected to the Microsoft 365 cloud services properly. Sign out of your account in File > Account Settings, restart Outlook, and sign back in. If the problem continues, repair the Office installation using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool.

Draft with Copilot option does not appear in the dropdown

In classic Outlook, the Copilot dropdown menu shows Draft with Copilot only if the feature is enabled in the Microsoft 365 Copilot settings. An administrator can disable Copilot for specific users through the Microsoft 365 admin center under Settings > Org Settings > Microsoft 365 Copilot. Contact your IT administrator to verify the setting.

Item	New Outlook	Classic Outlook
Copilot button location for new messages	Compose window toolbar between Attach and More Options	Message tab in the Clipboard group next to Paste
Copilot button location for replies	Same toolbar inside the compose window	Reading Pane inline reply toolbar or compose window Message tab
Drafting interface	Side pane on the right side of the compose window	Dialog inside the compose window
Inline reply drafting	Not available	Available in Reading Pane
License required	Microsoft 365 Copilot	Microsoft 365 Copilot

You can now locate the Copilot Drafting button in both new Outlook and classic Outlook without confusion. If you use classic Outlook, try the Reading Pane inline reply method for faster drafting. For new Outlook users, the side pane gives you a larger workspace for editing prompts. To switch between versions, use the toggle in the top-right corner of Outlook labeled Try the New Outlook or Switch to Classic Outlook.