Run a Deep Research investigation

✅ How to

1. 1What is deep research? It's not a simple Q&A: you ask Copilot to explore a topic from several angles, cross-check sources, compare options and return a structured synthesis (context, facts, assumptions, recommendation). Great for a decision, a benchmark, a scoping note or market watch.
2. 2Choosing reasoning power: the mode selector. In the top-left of Copilot Chat, a selector (“Auto” by default) decides how long Copilot “thinks” before answering. This setting is what separates an instant reply from a genuine in-depth analysis.
   
3. 3Understand the 3 modes: ➞ Auto: Copilot decides how long to think based on the question. The sensible everyday default. ➞ Quick response (GPT-5.5): answers right away, with no long reasoning step. Built for speed. ➞ Think deeper (GPT-5.6): Copilot thinks longer to build a structured, more reliable line of reasoning. Built for quality on complex topics.
4. 4Which mode for which request? ➞ Use Quick response for: a factual question, a definition, a rewrite, a short email, quick brainstorming, when speed matters and stakes are low. ➞ Use Think deeper (or Auto) for: analysis, multi-criteria comparison, strategy, synthesis across several sources, multi-step reasoning, when quality matters and a few seconds' wait is fine. Simple rule: low stakes + need speed → Quick response; high stakes + need reliability → Think deeper.
5. 5Launch the deep research. Select Think deeper (via GPT ➞ “GPT 5.6 Think deeper”), then state a precise question AND the expected deliverable (brief, comparison table, reasoned recommendation).
6. 6Set the quality bar: ask Copilot to cite its sources and clearly separate facts from assumptions.
7. 7Iterate to dig deeper: “Go deeper on point 2”, “Compare the 3 options in a table”, “What are the risks and blind spots?”.

Run a deep research on [topic] (Think deeper mode). Deliverable: structured brief with context, 3 compared options (table), risks, and a reasoned recommendation. Cite your sources and separate facts from assumptions.

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