Microsoft has turned on GPT-5 across the Copilot ecosystem—and, crucially, is extending free access to the new model via a “Smart mode” in the Copilot web experience—marking the broadest, fastest rollout of an OpenAI flagship yet across Windows and Microsoft 365. The update landed on August 7 with parallel announcements from OpenAI and Microsoft, and it covers consumer Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, and GitHub Copilot. Early access appears in a phased rollout, but the core promise is clear: richer reasoning, quicker responses, and automatic model selection without constant toggling. (openai.com, theverge.com, techcommunity.microsoft.com)
Background
OpenAI describes GPT‑5 as its most advanced model to date, emphasizing improvements in reasoning, code generation, and long chain tool use. Microsoft is pairing that capability with a router that picks the right model for each task, so users see better results without choosing models manually. Together, the approach aims to make Copilot “just work,” switching between fast replies and deeper thinking as needed. (openai.com, azure.microsoft.com)Under the hood, Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry exposes the full GPT‑5 family—GPT‑5, GPT‑5 mini, GPT‑5 nano, and GPT‑5 chat—each tuned for different latency, cost, and depth trade‑offs. Microsoft notes the flagship GPT‑5 supports very large contexts and agentic tool use, while the router decides when to use a lightweight or deep‑reasoning variant. (azure.microsoft.com)
What’s new for Copilot
Smart mode for consumers
A new Smart mode in Copilot dynamically switches models for you, optimizing for speed or reasoning without a visible model picker in everyday use. Microsoft confirms the capability is rolling out now, with availability surfacing first on the web and expanding to other clients over time. In Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, a “Try GPT‑5” toggle explicitly opts you into the new behavior. (theverge.com, support.microsoft.com)Priority vs. standard access
Microsoft 365 Copilot–licensed users receive priority access to GPT‑5, while others will onboard through a phased rollout. That means some Windows and web clients may show Smart mode or the GPT‑5 toggle sooner than others. (mc.merill.net)Where you’ll see GPT‑5
- Consumer Copilot (web and apps): Smart mode brings GPT‑5 to regular users, with Microsoft signaling free access (subject to throttling) as the rollout progresses. (theverge.com)
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: GPT‑5 is available today with better multi‑turn reasoning, long‑context handling, and work‑aware answers. (techcommunity.microsoft.com)
- Azure AI Foundry: GPT‑5 is generally available via Foundry with a model router that tunes for quality, latency, and cost. (azure.microsoft.com)
- GitHub Copilot: GPT‑5 is in public preview for all paid Copilot plans, accessible via the chat model picker across github.com, VS Code, and other clients. (github.blog)
How to try GPT‑5 in Copilot
- Go to copilot.microsoft.com in your browser. If you’re using Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, look for the “Try GPT‑5” toggle in the upper‑right. (support.microsoft.com)
- Start a new chat and submit a prompt. Smart mode (consumer Copilot) or the GPT‑5 toggle (work Copilot) will route complex queries to deeper reasoning automatically. (theverge.com, support.microsoft.com)
- If you’re a developer using GitHub Copilot, open Copilot Chat and choose GPT‑5 from the model selector in the client you use (github.com, VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, etc.). (docs.github.com)
Why this matters for Windows users
For everyday Windows 11 and Edge users, Smart mode removes guesswork: you type, Copilot decides how hard to “think.” This is particularly helpful for mixed workflows—quick look‑ups, then a long, context‑aware task—without manual switches between models or modes. Microsoft’s staged rollout means the web often gets new behavior first, with the Windows Copilot app catching up shortly after. (theverge.com)Early performance signals
Microsoft and OpenAI both claim faster, more reliable answers, especially on complex prompts and code. GitHub reports “substantial improvements in reasoning, code quality and user experience” versus prior models—consistent with OpenAI’s benchmark gains in math, coding, multimodal understanding, and health tests. Real‑world speed will still vary by client, load, and guardrails. (github.blog, openai.com)Access and limits: what’s free, what’s not
- Copilot (consumer): Free access to GPT‑5 via Smart mode is rolling out; expect rate limits and occasional throttling during peak demand. (theverge.com)
- ChatGPT: OpenAI now lists GPT‑5 in the Free plan with message caps; Plus and Pro tiers raise or remove limits. That context helps explain why Copilot may feel “less restricted” at times, though both services apply usage controls. (openai.com, help.openai.com)
- GitHub Copilot: GPT‑5 requires a paid Copilot plan, with model selection available in supported clients. (github.blog)
Security and safety posture
Microsoft says its AI Red Team rigorously tested GPT‑5 and found “one of the strongest safety profiles” seen in an OpenAI model, comparable to or better than prior reasoning‑focused models. In Azure AI Foundry, GPT‑5 is wrapped with Azure AI Content Safety, automated red‑teaming, and telemetry hooks to monitor quality, safety, and fairness. That layered approach doesn’t eliminate risk, but it raises the floor for enterprise deployment. (azure.microsoft.com, devblogs.microsoft.com)Microsoft’s broader responsible AI program—including years of AI red‑team practice and published guidance—underpins how Copilot features ship into Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365. As with any LLM, hallucinations can still occur, and organizations should pair Copilot with policy, DLP, and audit controls. (microsoft.com, blogs.microsoft.com)
Notable strengths
- Hands‑off model routing: Smart mode reduces friction by choosing the right GPT‑5 variant automatically. (theverge.com, azure.microsoft.com)
- Work‑grade reasoning: Microsoft 365 Copilot users get more consistent multi‑turn performance on long emails, documents, and chats. (techcommunity.microsoft.com)
- Developer uplift: GitHub Copilot’s GPT‑5 preview improves end‑to‑end coding flows with clearer rationales. (github.blog)
- Enterprise controls: Azure AI Foundry bakes in routing, evaluation, safety, and governance. (azure.microsoft.com)
Caveats and risks
- Rollout variance: Features may appear first on the web; Windows, mobile, and enterprise tenants can lag during phased deployment. (mc.merill.net)
- Rate limits still apply: “Free” doesn’t mean unlimited; OpenAI and Microsoft both throttle usage to manage capacity and abuse. (openai.com, help.openai.com)
- Opacity of routing: Auto‑model selection abstracts which model answered, which can complicate reproducibility in regulated workflows; Microsoft 365’s explicit “Try GPT‑5” toggle helps, but transparency remains a concern. (support.microsoft.com)
- Safety is improved, not solved: Even with stronger guardrails and red‑team testing, organizations should expect residual hallucinations and enforce human‑in‑the‑loop review for high‑stakes tasks. (azure.microsoft.com, microsoft.com)
The bottom line
For Windows and Microsoft 365 users, GPT‑5 in Copilot is a practical leap: smarter answers and less fiddling with settings, now available to millions—including free users—through Smart mode on the web and a clear “Try GPT‑5” toggle at work. Developers get immediate mileage in GitHub Copilot, and IT gains enterprise controls in Azure AI Foundry. Expect a staggered rollout and usage caps, but the direction is unmistakable: Copilot is becoming the most accessible on‑ramp to GPT‑5 on Windows. (theverge.com, support.microsoft.com, github.blog, azure.microsoft.com)Source: The Indian Express Microsoft Copilot users get free access to GPT-5: Here’s how to try it
