490549 – Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365): Researcher toggle in Copilot Chat (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot

Platform:

Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Cancelled

Change type:

Links:

Details:

The Researcher toggle in Copilot Chat feature has been cancelled, as Researcher will be part of the Tools control feature. For users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, easily chat with Researcher in Copilot Chat using the new Researcher toggle in the input box.

Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-05-09

updated:
2025-11-21

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Feature Cancellation Impact
The cancellation of the Researcher toggle may lead to confusion among users who were expecting to utilize this feature for enhanced productivity, potentially resulting in decreased efficiency in research tasks.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/microsoft-365-copilot-new-features-and-updates/

User Experience Disruption
Without proper communication regarding the cancellation, users may experience frustration and disruption in their workflow, as they may not be aware of the changes and how to adapt their usage of Copilot Chat.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/microsoft-365-copilot-new-features-and-updates/

Configutation Options**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft has made a change to how users interact with the Researcher feature in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Previously, there was a specific toggle for Researcher in Copilot Chat, which allowed users to easily switch to using Researcher directly from the chat interface. However, this toggle has been cancelled and integrated into a broader feature called Tools control.

Think of it like a car dashboard. Initially, you had a separate button just for the radio, making it straightforward to turn it on or off. Now, imagine that instead of having a separate button, the radio control is integrated into a more comprehensive system that manages all the car's entertainment features. You still have access to the radio, but it's now part of a larger, more organized control panel.

For users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, this means that while the specific Researcher toggle is no longer available, the functionality hasn't disappeared. Instead, it's been incorporated into the Tools control feature, which can be accessed from the input box in Copilot Chat. This integration aims to streamline the user experience by grouping similar tools together, making it easier to manage multiple functionalities from a single point.

This change reflects a move towards a more unified interface, where users can access various tools and features without needing separate toggles for each one. It simplifies the user experience, much like having a single remote control for all your home entertainment devices instead of separate remotes for each one.