check before: 2025-09-15
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite
Platform:
Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Rolling out
Change type:
New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Starting October 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by February 2026, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability.
Details:
Updated February 2, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298.
When this will happen
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of February 2026 (previously end of January).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-07-26
updated:
2026-02-03
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**
Starting in October 2025, Microsoft will introduce a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box, offering a menu of AI-powered features tailored to user needs, which will automatically be available worldwide by February 2026 to enhance productivity and ease of use.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Confusion
Users may be confused by the new Tools feature if they are not informed about its functionalities, leading to inefficient task completion.
- roles: End Users, Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=497298
Increased Support Requests
The introduction of the new Tools feature without prior training may lead to an increase in support requests as users seek help navigating the new functionalities.
- roles: Support Staff, IT Helpdesk
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=497298
Reduced Productivity
Without preparation, users may struggle to utilize the new Tools feature effectively, resulting in reduced productivity during the transition period.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=497298
Configutation Options**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
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 |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Last Updated | 12/12/2025 20:23:50 | 2026-02-02T16:58:34Z |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Messages | Updated December 12, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of January 2026 (previously end of November 2025). | Updated February 2, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of February 2026 (previously end of January). |
| 2026-02-03 | MC End Time | 03/02/2026 08:00:00 | 2026-03-30T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Summary | Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button providing easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by January 2026, requires no admin action, and improves feature discoverability and usability. Inform users and update documentation as needed. | Starting October 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by February 2026, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability. |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Last Updated | 11/08/2025 00:41:31 | 2025-12-12T20:23:50Z |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Messages | Updated November 6, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of November 2025 (previously mid-October 2025). | Updated December 12, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of January 2026 (previously end of November 2025). |
| 2025-12-18 | MC End Time | 11/24/2025 08:00:00 | 2026-03-02T08:00:00Z |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Summary | Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will add a Tools feature in the prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by November 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability. | Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button providing easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by January 2026, requires no admin action, and improves feature discoverability and usability. Inform users and update documentation as needed. |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Messages | Updated September 24, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout late September 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously late September). | Updated November 6, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout in October 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end of November 2025 (previously mid-October 2025). |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Last Updated | 09/24/2025 18:01:00 | 2025-11-08T00:41:31Z |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Summary | Starting late September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and will complete rollout by mid-October 2025. | Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will add a Tools feature in the prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by November 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability. |
| 2025-09-24 | MC Last Updated | 09/03/2025 22:02:41 | 2025-09-24T18:01:00Z |
| 2025-09-24 | MC Messages | Updated September 3, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September). | Updated September 24, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout late September 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously late September). |
| 2025-09-24 | MC End Time | 11/03/2025 08:00:00 | 2025-11-24T08:00:00Z |
| 2025-09-24 | MC Summary | Starting mid-September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by late September 2025. | Starting late September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and will complete rollout by mid-October 2025. |
| 2025-09-04 | MC Last Updated | 08/21/2025 15:38:23 | 2025-09-03T22:02:41Z |
| 2025-09-04 | MC Messages | Updated August 21, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout late August 2025 (previously mid-August) and expect to complete by early September 2025 (previously late August). | Updated September 3, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September). |
| 2025-09-04 | MC Summary | Starting late August 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. It enhances feature discoverability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by early September 2025. | Starting mid-September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by late September 2025. |
| 2025-09-04 | MC End Time | 10/20/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-11-03T08:00:00Z |
| 2025-09-04 | MC prepare | https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=497298 | |
| 2025-08-22 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact |
| 2025-08-22 | MC Summary | Starting mid-August 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This default-enabled update enhances feature discoverability without requiring admin action; organizations should inform users and update training as needed. | Starting late August 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. It enhances feature discoverability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by early September 2025. |
| 2025-08-22 | MC Last Updated | 07/30/2025 23:57:19 | 2025-08-21T15:38:23Z |
| 2025-08-22 | MC Messages | Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation.
When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-August 2025 and expect to complete by late August 2025. | Updated August 21, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Beginning mid-August 2025, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Tools acts as a lightweight entry point into high-value, task-specific Copilot features and capabilities directly from the prompt box. By selecting Tools, users get a menu where they can easily discover and trigger the right Copilot feature or capability for their current task, while also providing consistent interactions across tools. Based on the user's license, Tools provides easy access to features and capabilities like Researcher, Analyst, Pages, and image generation. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout late August 2025 (previously mid-August) and expect to complete by early September 2025 (previously late August). |
| 2025-08-22 | MC Title | New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box | (Updated) New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box |
| 2025-08-22 | MC End Time | 10/01/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-10-20T09:00:00Z |
| 2025-07-31 | MC Last Updated | 07/26/2025 00:32:42 | 2025-07-30T23:57:19Z |
| 2025-07-31 | MC How Affect | Once this update is rolled out, users will see a new Tools button in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Selecting this button opens a menu of AI-powered features tailored to the user's license. This enhancement improves discoverability and usability of Copilot capabilities, helping users complete tasks more efficiently.
This feature is on by default and does not require admin configuration. What you can do to prepare No admin action is required. However, you may want to: Inform users about the new Tools experience in Copilot Chat. Update internal documentation or training materials if needed. Compliance considerations No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. | Once this update is rolled out, users will see a new Tools button in the Copilot Chat prompt box. Selecting this button opens a menu of AI-powered features tailored to the user's license. This enhancement improves discoverability and usability of Copilot capabilities, helping users complete tasks more efficiently.
This feature is on by default and does not require admin configuration. What you can do to prepare No admin action is required. However, you may want to: Inform users about the new Tools experience in Copilot Chat. Update internal documentation or training materials if needed. Compliance considerations No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
