check before: 2024-12-15
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Search
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft has decided not to proceed with the new user control for web searches in Microsoft Copilot at this time. Users would have been able to enable or disable web searches via a control in the three-dot menu, but this change is currently on hold.
Details:
Updated April 1, 2025: After further review we have decided not to proceed with this change at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will not be proceeding with this change at this time.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2024-11-12
updated:
2025-04-02
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**
Microsoft has paused the introduction of a feature for Microsoft Copilot that would allow users to toggle web searches on or off, instead planning to implement an "Allow web search in Copilot" policy for administrators to manage web search capabilities within Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Control for Web Searches
Without proper preparation, users may be unaware that they cannot enable or disable web searches in Copilot, leading to confusion and frustration when they expect to have control over their search settings.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/manage-public-web-access#controls-available-to-manage-web-search
Impact of Disabled Web Search
If an admin has disabled web search, users will not receive the latest information from the web, potentially leading to outdated responses and decreased productivity.
- roles: End Users, Content Creators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/manage-public-web-access#controls-available-to-manage-web-search
Documentation and User Notification
Failure to notify users about the change may result in a lack of understanding of the new features and policies, leading to ineffective use of Copilot and dissatisfaction.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/manage-public-web-access#controls-available-to-manage-web-search
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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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 |
| 2025-04-02 | MC Last Updated | 02/13/2025 18:46:38 | 2025-04-01T21:25:04Z |
| 2025-04-02 | MC Messages | Updated February 13, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late February 2025 (previously early February) and expect to complete by late March 2025 (previously late February). | Updated April 1, 2025: After further review we have decided not to proceed with this change at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will not be proceeding with this change at this time. |
| 2025-04-02 | MC End Time | 05/26/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-04-08T09:00:00Z |
| 2025-04-02 | MC Summary | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts late February 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. | Microsoft has decided not to proceed with the new user control for web searches in Microsoft Copilot at this time. Users would have been able to enable or disable web searches via a control in the three-dot menu, but this change is currently on hold. |
| 2025-02-14 | MC Last Updated | 02/05/2025 21:57:30 | 2025-02-13T18:46:38Z |
| 2025-02-14 | MC Messages | Updated February 5, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 (previously late January) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). | Updated February 13, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late February 2025 (previously early February) and expect to complete by late March 2025 (previously late February). |
| 2025-02-14 | MC End Time | 04/07/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-05-26T09:00:00Z |
| 2025-02-14 | MC Summary | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts early February 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts late February 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. |
| 2025-02-06 | MC Messages | Updated January 24, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late January 2025 (previously mid-January) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). | Updated February 5, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 (previously late January) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). |
| 2025-02-06 | MC Last Updated | 01/24/2025 19:04:39 | 2025-02-05T21:57:30Z |
| 2025-02-06 | MC Summary | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts late January 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts early February 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. |
| 2025-01-25 | MC Messages | Updated December 23, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 (previously mid-December) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). | Updated January 24, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late January 2025 (previously mid-January) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). |
| 2025-01-25 | MC Last Updated | 12/24/2024 01:25:34 | 2025-01-24T19:04:39Z |
| 2025-01-25 | MC Summary | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts mid-January 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts late January 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. |
| 2024-12-24 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2024-12-24 | MC Summary | Microsoft Copilot will introduce a user control for web searches, allowing users to enable or disable sending queries to Bing. Rollout starts mid-December 2024 and should complete by late January 2025. Admins can disable this feature, and no action is required for the rollout. | Microsoft Copilot introduces a user control for web searches. Rollout starts mid-January 2025, completing by late February. Users can enable/disable web searches in the overflow menu. Admin-disabled searches remain off post-rollout. No admin action needed; organizations should review configurations and inform users. |
| 2024-12-24 | MC Last Updated | 11/12/2024 01:09:37 | 2024-12-24T01:25:34Z |
| 2024-12-24 | MC Messages | Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot.
[When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-December 2024 and expect to complete by late January 2025. | Updated December 23, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: A control that allows users to control if web search queries are sent to Microsoft Bing when using Microsoft Copilot. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 (previously mid-December) and expect to complete by late February 2025 (previously late January). |
| 2024-12-24 | MC Title | Microsoft Copilot: New user control for web searches | (Updated) Microsoft Copilot: New user control for web searches |
| 2024-12-24 | MC End Time | 03/28/2025 08:00:00 | 2025-04-07T09:00:00Z |
Last updated 2 weeks ago
