What to know

  • Mico is Microsoft’s official successor to Clippy, available in Copilot voice mode.​
  • The assistant reacts with real-time expressions, changing colors and mood during dialogue.​
  • Mico is initially launched for users in the US, UK, and Canada, with the ability to turn into Clippy as an Easter egg.​
  • Users can customize Mico’s voice and color scheme, and they can opt out if desired.

Clippy, the paperclip from Microsoft Office, returns in spirit as Mico - a blob-shaped, animated character designed for Copilot’s voice feature. This AI companion offers a friendlier, more personal experience that listens, reacts, and adapts its expressions and colors to match the flow of conversation.

Mico makes AI interactions warmer and more engaging

Mico stands out for its real-time emotive responses and memory features. As users interact through voice, Mico changes its mood and color, aiming to create an engaging and enjoyable experience. It can remember previous conversations and projects, giving each session a personalized touch, while remaining optional for users who prefer not to use the avatar.

Mico’s launch is limited to the US, UK, and Canada for its initial rollout. To appeal to longtime fans, Microsoft included a hidden Clippy easter egg. Repeatedly tapping Mico transforms it into the classic Clippy appearance for a short time, combining nostalgia with modern AI capabilities.

Customizing Mico's voice and colors

Microsoft designed Mico to be customizable. Users can choose from different voices - including American and British accents - change its color scheme, and disable the avatar altogether if preferred. Mico also supports a new “memory” feature, using past interactions to better support ongoing work, which can be managed under the user’s privacy settings.

Mico's key features

Feature Description Why it matters
Expressive avatar Visual character (Mico) that emotes/reacts in real-time Makes AI interactions feel more human and less sterile
Voice mode integration Works with voice input; avatar reacts to tone/content Encourages voice use rather than just text
Optional turn-off Users can disable avatar if unwanted Respects preferences and avoids annoyance
Hidden “Clippy” mode Easter egg that brings back Clippy appearance Nostalgia and user engagement
Group chat support Up to 32 participants can chat with Copilot simultaneously Enables collaborative workflows (teams, classes)
“Real Talk” mode & memory improvements Copilot now more able to push back on incorrect assumptions and remember personal context Less passive AI, more engaged and context-aware

Where and when you can use Mico

Mico is rolling out first in the United States through Copilot voice mode across Windows 11, Edge, and select Microsoft 365 apps. Wider availability is expected later, though Microsoft hasn’t shared an exact international release schedule.

There’s no separate price for Mico — it’s included in Copilot’s standard offerings. Users subscribed to Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 Copilot will gain access automatically once the update reaches their region.

Microsoft also clarified that personal data and memories are handled carefully in group chats, pausing memory features when multiple participants join to preserve privacy.