MC1094049 – (Updated) Microsoft 365 admin center: New admins controls for Copilot Search management (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

495460

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 will roll out new admin controls for Copilot Search in July 2025, enabling IT admins to customize search experiences organization-wide. Requires a Copilot license and specific admin roles. The feature improves search governance, productivity, and decision-making, with settings enabled by default and no pre-rollout action needed.

Details:
Updated July 29, 2025: We have updated the content below for clarity. Thank you for your patience.
This upcoming feature will enable IT admins to configure and customize of Microsoft 365 Copilot Search across your organization. This feature provides centralized tools to tailor search experiences to organizational needs. This improved governance and customization enhances information discoverability, reduces time spent searching for critical content, and supports better decision-making across teams. Designed to enhance productivity and maximize the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot, the feature supports both setup and ongoing optimization of enterprise search experiences.
A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 495460.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Microsoft 365 Copilot Search will begin rolling out early July 2025 and expect to complete by mid-July 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-06-14

updated:
2025-07-30

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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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Search Experience Disruption
Without preparation, users may experience confusion or frustration due to unexpected changes in search functionalities, leading to decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-search, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=495460

Increased Support Requests
The rollout of new admin controls may lead to an influx of support requests from users unfamiliar with the changes, straining IT resources.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-search, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=495460

Ineffective Search Governance
If the new settings are enabled without proper configuration, it may result in ineffective search governance, causing users to miss critical information.
   - roles: IT Admins, Compliance Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-search, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=495460

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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DPIA Draft**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft 365 is introducing new admin controls for Copilot Search, which will be available starting in July 2025. These controls allow IT administrators to customize search experiences across an organization. Think of it like a restaurant manager being able to adjust the menu to better suit the tastes of their customers. In this case, IT admins can tailor how search functions within Microsoft 365 to better meet the needs of their organization.

The new feature is designed to improve how information is found and used, much like how a well-organized library makes it easier to find the book you need. By enhancing search governance and customization, organizations can expect to spend less time searching for important content and make better decisions with the information they find.

To use these new features, an organization must have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, and the person managing these settings needs to have specific admin roles, such as a global admin, search admin, or search editor. These roles are like having the right keys to access and manage different parts of a building.

The settings for Copilot Search will be enabled by default, meaning no initial action is required from admins before the rollout. However, it's a good idea to review current configurations to understand how these changes might impact your organization. It's similar to a software update on your phone that happens automatically, but you might want to check the new features afterward to see how they work.

Admins can access these settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center under Copilot Control Systems > Search. This feature provides centralized tools to manage search connectors and gain insights into how search is being used within the organization. It's like having a dashboard in a car that shows you how efficiently you're driving and where you might improve.

Overall, these new admin controls are designed to enhance productivity and maximize the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot by supporting both the setup and ongoing optimization of enterprise search experiences.