MC1169070 – Manage SharePoint agents in Copilot Control System: View, block, or unblock agents used in Copilot Chat (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, User impact

Links:

487857

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 admins can now manage SharePoint agents in Copilot Chat via a new Agents section in the Copilot Control System. They can view, block, or unblock agents starting late September 2025. This feature is enabled by default and only affects Copilot Chat.

Details:
[Introduction]
To improve visibility and control over Copilot agents, Microsoft is introducing a new capability in the Microsoft 365 admin center that allows administrators to manage SharePoint agents directly from the Agents section of the Copilot Control System (formerly Integrated Apps). This update provides a centralized view of all shared agents and enables admins to block or unblock specific agents used in Copilot Chat.
This message is associated with Roadmap ID 487857.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in late September 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-10-10

updated:
2025-10-10

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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linked item details

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Disruption
If admins block essential SharePoint agents without proper preparation, users may experience disruptions in Copilot Chat functionality, leading to decreased productivity and frustration.
   - roles: Microsoft 365 Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Increased Support Tickets
Unprepared changes may lead to an influx of support tickets from users facing issues with blocked agents, overwhelming the IT support team and delaying response times.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Compliance Risks
Blocking agents without understanding their roles may inadvertently affect compliance-related functionalities, risking data governance and compliance adherence.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, Microsoft 365 Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Centralized Management of Agents
The introduction of a centralized Agents section in the Copilot Control System allows for improved visibility and control over SharePoint agents. This can streamline administrative tasks and enhance user experience by ensuring only approved agents are active, thereby reducing potential security risks and confusion among users.
   - next-steps: Train IT administrators on how to effectively use the new Agents section, including how to review agent activity and block/unblock agents as necessary. Update internal documentation to reflect these changes.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Security Teams
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Enhanced User Experience
By allowing admins to block agents that may not align with organizational policies or user needs, the user experience in Copilot Chat can be significantly improved. Users will have access only to the most relevant and safe agents, reducing distractions and potential misinformation.
   - next-steps: Gather feedback from users regarding their experiences with Copilot Chat and the agents currently in use. Based on this feedback, identify agents that should be blocked or unblocked to enhance user satisfaction.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers, User Experience Designers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Improved Compliance and Security
With the ability to manage and block agents, organizations can better enforce compliance and security protocols. This capability allows for proactive management of tools that may pose risks or violate compliance standards, ensuring that only vetted agents are utilized in Copilot Chat.
   - next-steps: Conduct a compliance review of the agents currently in use and establish criteria for blocking agents. Regularly update the list of blocked agents based on compliance audits and security assessments.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Security Teams, Risk Management Teams
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=487857

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you are the manager of a large library. You have various librarians (agents) who help patrons find books and information. Now, imagine you have a special section of the library called "Copilot Chat," where these librarians assist patrons using digital tools. As the manager, you need to ensure that only the best librarians are working in this section, and you have the power to decide who can and cannot assist patrons there.

In the digital world of Microsoft 365, administrators have a similar role. They manage SharePoint agents in a system called Copilot Chat. These agents are like the librarians, helping users navigate and use digital resources. Microsoft has introduced a new feature in the Microsoft 365 admin center, allowing administrators to manage these agents more effectively. This feature is like a control panel where admins can see all the agents (librarians) working in Copilot Chat and decide if any should be blocked or unblocked from assisting users.

This new feature is set to roll out between late September and late October 2025. It provides a centralized view of all agents, much like a manager can see all the librarians in the library. If an agent is not performing well or is no longer needed, the admin can block them from working in Copilot Chat, similar to how a manager might reassign a librarian to a different section. Conversely, if an agent is needed again, they can be unblocked and return to assisting users.

This feature is automatically available to all administrators, meaning there's no need to sign up or activate it. It's like having a new tool in your toolkit that you can use whenever necessary. While this change only affects the Copilot Chat section and not other areas like OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams, it provides a focused way to manage digital assistance in that specific area.

For those managing these systems, it's a straightforward process: go to the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to the Copilot Control System, and review the agents. If any adjustments are needed, they can be made directly from there. This is akin to a manager reviewing their team and making staffing decisions based on performance and need.

In summary, this update is about giving administrators more control over who can assist users in a specific digital environment, ensuring that the best support is always available.