Microsoft has announced a significant expansion of its Copilot feature for OneDrive, which is now available for all users, no longer limited to corporate clients. This change, publicized on March 20, 2025, allows users to access the feature exclusively in the cloud, marking a shift in how OneDrive operates. Although touted by Microsoft as a major advancement, many users have expressed concerns over privacy issues.
Historically, OneDrive has faced criticism due to its automatic data uploads to the cloud, which consume considerable processing resources and internet bandwidth. Microsoft claims that Copilot, while interesting, is rather more of an application than a groundbreaking tool. Furthermore, many key functions are only available through a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription.
The tech giant has indicated that Copilot will be activated automatically for all users who meet certain criteria within the coming months. Unfortunately, users won’t have the option to refuse this feature; it will simply become a part of their OneDrive experience. Addressing these privacy concerns, Microsoft reassured users that Copilot will only work with files that users choose, activating solely for files marked in OneDrive. According to the company, “Copilot uses your documents to which you have access and provides analysis only for them.”
Equipped with a suite of functions including comparing multiple files and summarizing lengthy documents, Copilot aims to enhance user productivity. However, certain limitations exist. For instance, users can only compare up to five documents at once, and these must be in specific formats, such as Office file types (.DOC, .PPT), web pages, or M365 (.LOOP) formats. Files in raster image format or encrypted files are excluded.
While beneficial, utilizing Copilot will incur costs. Each request made to the tool will deduct one AI credit. Subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans will get a monthly allowance of 60 credits, which may fall short for heavy users.
Microsoft emphasizes that Copilot will maintain user privacy by not accessing files without explicit user permission. However, these assurances have not fully alleviated the anxiety felt by users worried about the privacy of their data. As the feature rolls out, many users will be watching closely to see how these privacy measures play out in practice.
With the launch of Copilot for OneDrive, Microsoft aims to stake its claim in the increasingly competitive realm of cloud-based productivity tools. However, as users adapt to this change, the balance between enhanced functionality and privacy concerns will be crucial in determining user acceptance.
