check before: 2026-03-01
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, OneDrive, SharePoint
Platform:
Android, iOS, Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Rolling out
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The new SharePoint experience, featuring a redesigned app bar, refreshed start page, and AI-assisted capabilities (requiring a Microsoft 365 Copilot license), will roll out starting May 5, 2026, via Targeted Release with no opt-out. Public preview runs March–April 2026; GA begins mid-June 2026. Users should prepare accordingly.
Details:
Updated April 30, 2026: We have updated this post as a reminder. We will begin the Targeted Release (TR) rollout on May 5, with an expected ramp to 100% TR by the end of the week. All customers and users in the TR program will automatically receive the new SharePoint experience, with no option to opt out at either the tenant or user level.
We recommend that customers explore the experience ahead of TR to ensure readiness.
For users and tenants already opted in via EAP or Public Preview, we will preserve their current state, their experience as of Monday will remain unchanged.
[Introduction]
We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732.
Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period.
When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs from the preview period will be overridden, and no controls will remain. We recommend customers try the experience ahead of TR to be better prepared.
[When this will happen]
Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026.
Targeted Release: Rolling out in early May 2026 (previously late April); expected completion by mid-May 2026 (previously June).
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early May); expected completion by mid-July 2026 (previously end of July).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview, Targeted Release
Created:
2026-02-28
updated:
2026-05-01
Public Preview Start Date
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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 Interface Changes
The new SharePoint app bar and start page may confuse users who are accustomed to the previous layout, leading to a temporary decrease in productivity as they adapt to the new design.
- roles: End Users, Helpdesk Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience, https://support.microsoft.com/office/e568387f-bfef-41cf-8dc0-e1fdc5c08c73
AI Capabilities Access
Users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license will not have access to AI-assisted features, potentially leading to frustration and a perception of inequality among users.
- roles: End Users, IT Administrators
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=547732, https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience
Training and Documentation Gaps
Without prior preparation and communication, users may lack understanding of the new features and functionalities, resulting in increased support requests and user dissatisfaction.
- roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience, https://support.microsoft.com/office/e568387f-bfef-41cf-8dc0-e1fdc5c08c73
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-05-01 | MC Messages | Updated April 21, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period. When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs from the preview period will be overridden, and no controls will remain. We recommend customers try the experience ahead of TR to be better prepared. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in early May 2026 (previously late April); expected completion by mid-May 2026 (previously June). General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early May); expected completion by mid-July 2026 (previously end of July). | Updated April 30, 2026: We have updated this post as a reminder. We will begin the Targeted Release (TR) rollout on May 5, with an expected ramp to 100% TR by the end of the week. All customers and users in the TR program will automatically receive the new SharePoint experience, with no option to opt out at either the tenant or user level.
We recommend that customers explore the experience ahead of TR to ensure readiness. For users and tenants already opted in via EAP or Public Preview, we will preserve their current state, their experience as of Monday will remain unchanged. [Introduction] We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period. When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs from the preview period will be overridden, and no controls will remain. We recommend customers try the experience ahead of TR to be better prepared. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in early May 2026 (previously late April); expected completion by mid-May 2026 (previously June). General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early May); expected completion by mid-July 2026 (previously end of July). |
| 2026-05-01 | MC Last Updated | 04/21/2026 23:32:09 | 2026-05-01T00:24:31Z |
| 2026-05-01 | MC Summary | A new SharePoint experience with a redesigned app bar, refreshed start page, and AI-assisted features (requiring a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) will roll out in phases from March to July 2026. Admins can enable a public preview, with automatic deployment during Targeted Release and General Availability. | The new SharePoint experience, featuring a redesigned app bar, refreshed start page, and AI-assisted capabilities (requiring a Microsoft 365 Copilot license), will roll out starting May 5, 2026, via Targeted Release with no opt-out. Public preview runs March–April 2026; GA begins mid-June 2026. Users should prepare accordingly. |
| 2026-04-22 | MC Last Updated | 03/05/2026 21:59:21 | 2026-04-21T23:32:09Z |
| 2026-04-22 | MC Messages | Updated March 4, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period. When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs configured during the preview period will be overridden, and no tenant or user controls will remain. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in late April 2026; expected completion by early May 2026. General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in early May 2026; expected completion by late May 2026. | Updated April 21, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period. When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs from the preview period will be overridden, and no controls will remain. We recommend customers try the experience ahead of TR to be better prepared. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in early May 2026 (previously late April); expected completion by mid-May 2026 (previously June). General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early May); expected completion by mid-July 2026 (previously end of July). |
| 2026-04-22 | MC End Time | 07/01/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-08-31T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-04-22 | MC Summary | A new SharePoint experience launching in 2026 includes a redesigned app bar with Discover, Publish, and Build features, AI-assisted capabilities for Copilot license holders, and updated navigation. It will roll out via public preview, Targeted Release, then General Availability, affecting all SharePoint users. | A new SharePoint experience with a redesigned app bar, refreshed start page, and AI-assisted features (requiring a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) will roll out in phases from March to July 2026. Admins can enable a public preview, with automatic deployment during Targeted Release and General Availability. |
| 2026-03-17 | MC prepare | If you plan to enable the new experience:
Verify that users who need access have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license assigned to access the AI capabilities in this update. Enable the experience in the SharePoint admin center: Settings → SharePoint → New SharePoint Experience Review instructions for enabling the experience: Enable the new SharePoint experience (preview) | SharePoint in Microsoft 365 | SharePoint | Microsoft Learn Communicate expected UI changes to helpdesk and affected teams before enabling. Update internal documentation if you describe SharePoint navigation or app bar elements. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=547732 | If you plan to enable the preview experience:
Enable the setting in the SharePoint admin center: Settings → SharePoint → New SharePoint Experience Review documentation: Enable the new SharePoint experience (preview) | SharePoint in Microsoft 365 | SharePoint | Microsoft Learn Review changes to the SharePoint navigation experience, including the new app bar: SharePoint App Bar Communicate expected UI changes to helpdesk teams and users before enabling the preview. Update internal documentation that references SharePoint navigation or app bar elements. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/enable-new-sharepoint-experience https://support.microsoft.com/office/e568387f-bfef-41cf-8dc0-e1fdc5c08c73 https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=547732 |
| 2026-03-17 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2026-03-17 | MC Summary | A reimagined SharePoint experience with an intuitive design, streamlined architecture, and AI-assisted features (requiring a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) will roll out from March to May 2026. It includes a redesigned app bar with Discover, Publish, Build, OneDrive, and Home features. Enabling it is optional. | A new SharePoint experience launching in 2026 includes a redesigned app bar with Discover, Publish, and Build features, AI-assisted capabilities for Copilot license holders, and updated navigation. It will roll out via public preview, Targeted Release, then General Availability, affecting all SharePoint users. |
| 2026-03-17 | MC Last Updated | 02/27/2026 23:08:20 | 2026-03-05T21:59:21Z |
| 2026-03-17 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
We are introducing a reimagined SharePoint experience that simplifies how users discover knowledge, publish content, and build solutions. This update delivers an intuitive design, a streamlined information architecture, and foundational support for future AI‑assisted creation scenarios in SharePoint Online. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to access the AI capabilities in this update. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in late April 2026; expected completion by early May 2026. General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in early May 2026; expected completion by late May 2026. | Updated March 4, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We are introducing a new SharePoint experience that includes a redesigned SharePoint app bar, a refreshed SharePoint start page for finding sites, content, and news, and support for AI-assisted creation, management, and discovery features. The new experience applies to all SharePoint users. Some capabilities in this experience use AI. Access to those capabilities requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 547732. Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it will be available as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period. When the public preview ends, Targeted Release rollout will begin, followed by General Availability (GA). Starting with Targeted Release, the new SharePoint experience will automatically apply to all tenants and users. Any tenant-level preview settings or individual user opt-outs configured during the preview period will be overridden, and no tenant or user controls will remain. [When this will happen] Public Preview: Rolling out in early March 2026; expected completion by late April 2026. Targeted Release: Rolling out in late April 2026; expected completion by early May 2026. General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out in early May 2026; expected completion by late May 2026. |
| 2026-03-17 | MC Title | Introducing the new SharePoint experience | (Updated) Introducing the new SharePoint experience |
| 2026-03-17 | MC How Affect | Who is affected
Organizations with users who have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Organizations that choose to enable the new SharePoint experience in the SharePoint admin center. What will happen If your organization enables the new SharePoint experience in the SharePoint admin center, licensed users will see: A redesigned SharePoint app bar, including: Discover - a refreshed start experience to quickly find relevant sites, content, and news: Publish - A unified publishing hub in SharePoint that brings together pages, news and campaign-style communications powered by Amplify: Build - A centralized experience to create, manage, and scale Sites, Lists, Libraries, and Agents all with a streamlined surface: OneDrive - Provides quick access to files. Home - Displayed when a Home site with global navigation is enabled, with the appropriate logo and name as configured in global navigation. Updated page, news, library, and list experiences with improved content elevation Neutral theming applied across core product surfaces (site‑level branding remains unchanged) If you do not enable the preview, there is no impact to your users or admin experience. | Who is affected
All SharePoint users Users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license will have access to AI capabilities included in this experience. What will happen When the new experience is enabled-either during preview or as part of the Targeted Release and General Availability (GA) rollout-users will see an updated SharePoint app bar that introduces entry points for discovering content, publishing communications, and building SharePoint solutions. The updated app bar includes: Discover A refreshed start experience to find relevant sites, content, and news. Publish A unified publishing hub that brings together pages, news, and campaign-style communications powered by Amplify. Build A centralized place where makers can create and manage SharePoint sites, lists, libraries, and AI-powered agents from a single surface. The app bar will also include: OneDrive - Provides quick access to files. Home - Appears when a Home site with global navigation is configured in the tenant. Additional updates include: Updated page, news, library, and list experiences with improved content visibility Neutral theming applied across SharePoint product surfaces (site-level branding remains unchanged) |
Last updated 1 week ago ago
