Step-by-Step: How to Transition From Microsoft Lens to Microsoft 365 Copilot

 Step-by-Step: How to Transition From Microsoft Lens to Microsoft 365 Copilot

Perhaps you remember being able to scan documents, convert images to PDFs using Microsoft Lens, or write whiteboard notes and share them directly with your colleagues using Microsoft Lens as an effective means of information capture. In meetings at the office, I relied on Lens a lot; when I was taking notes, I would take pictures of them on the board rather than trying to rewrite them back onto the paper. However, there is good news: Microsoft Lens is not going to exist after September 15, 2025.

Now, before you freak out--never mind. Microsoft is not leaving us stranded. Rather, Lens features are being incorporated into Microsoft 365 Copilot, the AI-assistant that has already made a splash. Just like an upgrade in the difference between a bike and a bike with gears: same task, but with improved and efficient technology.

In this article, I will guide you through a stepwise process of transferring smoothly to Microsoft 365 Copilot without losing any of your information or efficiency related to Microsoft Lens. Time to take a swim.

Why is Microsoft Lens Being Retired?

Microsoft is slowly integrating its tools into the Copilot functionality to provide a cohesive experience. Rather than switching between multiple apps to scan, write, and edit, you will now be able to do all this in Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, with Copilot to assist you.

Instead of Lens vanishing, you can say it gets an upgrade within Copilot.

Step 1: Back Up Your Files From Microsoft Lens

The first thing you need to do is save and back up all your scanned documents from Lens. Here’s how:

1. Open the Lens app on your phone.
2. Read carefully your saved documents and export the useful ones.
3. Save them to OneDrive, which is already connected to Microsoft 365.
4. Instead, you can mail the files to yourself or save them in local directories.

Pro tip: I would recommend OneDrive since it comes with automatic syncing with Copilot, so that your future transition is much easier.

Step 2: Update to the Latest Microsoft 365 Apps

To maximize the use of Copilot, you must have the latest upgrades of the Microsoft 365 applications.

• Make sure you have the latest version of Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams (if you are on Windows or Mac).
• If mobile devices are used, get the most recent Microsoft 365 app on the Play Store or the App Store.

This guarantees that Lens features will not be ignored when appearing in Copilot.

Step 3: Learn the New Scanning Process in Copilot

That is why it becomes interesting here in Microsoft 365 Copilot, scanning will not be an app but a part. What you will do is the following:

1. Launch the Microsoft 365 app on your telephone.
2. Scan in with the built-in option (like Lens).
3. After it is scanned, Copilot can help you with editing, summarising, or sharing the document in Word, PowerPoint, or Outlook.

As an example of a bill scan, Copilot can read the amounts, generate a small Excel spreadsheet, or even compose an expense report, just as Lens simply could not.

Step 4: Explore AI-Powered Features

The biggest difference between Lens and Copilot is AI intelligence. With Copilot, you don’t just scan—you can actually do more with your files.

• Summarise notes: If you scan meeting notes, Copilot can summarise them into bullet points.
• Translate instantly: A scanned document in one language can be quickly translated into another.
• Create presentations: Whiteboard notes can be converted into a PowerPoint outline.

I recently tried scanning a handwritten list of marketing ideas. Within minutes, Copilot organised it into an editable strategy document in Word. Honestly, it saved me an entire evening of work.

Step 5: Customise Your Copilot Settings

As with any tool, Copilot is best used when customised.

• Set default storage in OneDrive.
• Make it syncable between devices so your scanned data is cross-available
• Play around with privacy settings to ensure that your documents remain private.

This will make scanning and editing things so that they go right where you want them.

Step 6: Practice and Experiment

At first transition feels a bit awkward. You may miss the simplicity of Microsoft Lens, but once you get used to Copilot, you will see its potential.

Here are some ideas on how to experiment

• Investigate your electricity bills and request Copilot to draft an expense tracker in Excel every month.
• Copilot converts a handwritten recipe and makes it presentable in Word.
• Also, capture a whiteboard brainstorming and automatically convert it into a PowerPoint outline.

A little practice will make you wonder why you ever got by just using Lens alone

Step 7: Stay Updated With Microsoft Announcements

All of the changes will be completed by September 2025, so Microsoft will probably provide updates and tutorials along the way. Watch out:

• The actual Microsoft 365 blog
• In-app notifications
• Tech forums

In this manner, you will not overlook novel features that render the transition between Lens and Copilot even easier.

Final Thoughts

The transition of Microsoft Lens to Microsoft 365 Copilot can be thought of as an upgrade, but not as a replacement. Copilot is more than sightless scanning; it is management, editing, and even creation of content with your eyes closed.

To summarize the process:

1. Back up Lens files
2. Update the Microsoft 365 apps.
3. Learn the new scan technique
4. Try out AI capabilities.
5. Customise settings.
6. Experiment and train.
7. Stay updated.

I already began to migrate my work to Copilot, and lemme tell you, it is a game-changer. When you become comfortable, you will not only save time but also open a possibilities to work in new ways because you will learn how to work quickly.

Your turn: Are you prepared to move on from Microsoft Lens to Copilot? Have you used the scan function yet? Dash in the comments below how you are adjusting—can’t wait to hear!

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