Microsoft has started rolling out OpenAI’s GPT‑5.2 into Microsoft 365 Copilot — including Copilot Chat — so you can choose the newest model directly from the model selector.
GPT‑5.2 comes in two strengths: an efficient, everyday option (“Instant”) and a deeper reasoning option (“Thinking”), which is exactly why Microsoft also gives you Quick Response and Think Deeper styles for how much “thinking time” Copilot should spend.
GPT‑5.2 is now available in Microsoft 365 Copilot via the model selector, which means you can explicitly pick it for a chat when you want the newest capabilities. Microsoft describes GPT‑5.2 as combining GPT‑5.2 Thinking (best for complex problems and strategic insights) and GPT‑5.2 Instant (efficient for everyday writing, translation, and skill-building).
OpenAI also positions GPT‑5.2 as improved for professional work — like creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, and handling complex multi-step projects — especially when you select the deeper “Thinking” variant.
UI labels can evolve during rollout, but Microsoft confirms GPT‑5.2 is selectable from the model selector/model menu in Copilot Chat.
Open Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 Copilot experience you use (web/app/in-app side pane).
If you’re in Copilot Chat already, you’re in the right place — model selection happens inside the chat experience.
In Copilot Chat, Microsoft has surfaced model controls at the top of the chat — Microsoft’s own support guidance previously referenced a top-right control (for example, “Try GPT‑5”).
As GPT‑5.2 rolls out, you’ll use the same general area to open the model selector dropdown (often showing the currently selected model).
Click the dropdown in the upper-right and choose GPT‑5.2 from the list.
Microsoft explicitly states: “GPT‑5.2 is accessible in the model selector in both Copilot Chat and Copilot Studio.”
Microsoft introduced a mode selector so users can pick how much reasoning Copilot applies: Auto, Quick response, or Think deeper.
“Quick response” is designed to answer right away, while “Think deeper” spends longer for better answers — often around ~10 seconds in consumer Copilot documentation.
When you pair these modes with GPT‑5.2, you’re effectively choosing between a fast path aligned with “Instant” tasks and a deeper path aligned with “Thinking” tasks.
Microsoft notes that your mode choices persist across chats , and the feature is enabled by default as it rolls out.
So once you pick a mode you like, Copilot can remember it for future chats until you switch it again.
Microsoft describes Quick Response as providing straightforward, instantaneous answers.
In the GPT‑5 mode selector language, Quick response is “Copilot answers right away”, which is ideal when you don’t need extended reasoning.
This aligns well with Microsoft’s description of GPT‑5.2 Instant as efficient for everyday writing, translation, and skill-building.
Microsoft explains Think Deeper as taking additional time to provide a more thoughtful response (often up to ~10 seconds in Copilot guidance).
In the GPT‑5 mode selector language, Think deeper is “Copilot thinks longer for better answers,” which is exactly what you want for multi-step work. This pairs naturally with GPT‑5.2 Thinking, which Microsoft positions as best for complex problems and strategic insights.
OpenAI also emphasizes that GPT‑5.2 (especially its “Thinking” variant) is designed to handle complex, multi-step projects, with improvements in long-context understanding and tool use.
You’re drafting, rewriting, translating, or asking a straightforward question and want minimal waiting.
You’re doing planning, complex reasoning, multi-step analysis, or want a more thorough answer with clearer structure.
Microsoft’s framing is simple: GPT‑5.2 becomes more powerful “at work” because Copilot applies it inside Microsoft 365, where it can support insights and planning across common productivity workflows (as your licensing and tenant configuration allow).
And because GPT‑5.2 is built to be stronger on long context and complex professional tasks, you can reach for “Think Deeper” when you want higher-quality reasoning — and use “Quick Response” to stay fast for everyday work.
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