MC1176366 – (Updated) Microsoft Outlook: Enhanced search experience with Copilot in Classic Outlook

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook, Teams

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

510107

Details:

Summary:
Classic Outlook will gain a Copilot side pane showing AI-generated summaries of search results from documents and Teams messages. Users can interact with and ask follow-up questions in the pane. The feature rolls out mid-December 2025 to mid-February 2026, enabled by default for commercial M365 Copilot license holders.

Details:
Updated October 23, 2025: We have updated language surrounding who is impacted for clarity. Thank you for your patience.
We're introducing a new Copilot experience in Classic Outlook to help users get more value from their search results. After executing a search, users will see an entry point to the Copilot side pane, where they can view a large language model (LLM)-based summary of their results. This includes content from documents, Teams messages, and more. Users can also ask follow-up questions and interact with the content directly in the Copilot pane.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 510107.
When this will happen:
General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-December 2025 and expect to complete rollout by mid-February 2026.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-10-21

updated:
2025-10-24

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**

User Confusion
Users may be confused by the new Copilot side pane and its functionalities, leading to frustration and decreased productivity during the transition period.
   - roles: End Users, Helpdesk Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Increased Support Tickets
The introduction of the Copilot feature may lead to an increase in support tickets as users encounter issues or have questions about the new functionality.
   - roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Search Result Overload
Users may be overwhelmed by the volume of AI-generated summaries and follow-up questions, leading to difficulty in finding relevant information quickly.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Opt-in Confusion
Users may not understand the opt-in process for AI-generated content, potentially leading to underutilization of the new feature and missed benefits.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Training Needs
The new feature may necessitate additional training for users to effectively utilize the Copilot functionalities, impacting time and resources.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Improved User Efficiency through AI Summaries
The introduction of the Copilot side pane with AI-generated summaries can significantly enhance user efficiency by allowing them to quickly understand search results without sifting through multiple documents and messages. This reduces the time spent on information retrieval and increases productivity.
   - next-steps: Conduct user training sessions to familiarize staff with the new Copilot features. Monitor usage metrics to assess the impact on productivity and gather feedback for further improvements.
   - roles: Employees, Team Leaders, Project Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Enhanced Collaboration via Integrated Search Results
With the ability to access summaries from both documents and Teams messages, the new feature fosters better collaboration among teams. Users can quickly find relevant information and share insights during meetings or discussions, leading to more informed decision-making.
   - next-steps: Encourage cross-departmental collaboration by showcasing the new feature in team meetings. Develop best practices for using the Copilot pane to enhance teamwork.
   - roles: Department Heads, Collaboration Managers, IT Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

Reduced IT Support Load
As the feature is enabled by default and requires no admin action, it can reduce the number of helpdesk inquiries related to Outlook search functionalities. This allows IT support teams to focus on more complex issues, improving overall service efficiency.
   - next-steps: Update internal documentation and FAQs to reflect the new feature. Train helpdesk staff on the new capabilities to better assist users.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Helpdesk Managers, IT Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=510107

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 is introducing a new feature in Classic Outlook called Copilot, which aims to make searching for information more efficient and user-friendly. Imagine you’re in a library looking for specific information. Traditionally, you’d search through various books and documents to find what you need. Now, picture having a helpful assistant by your side who quickly summarizes the relevant information from all those books and even answers any follow-up questions you might have. This is essentially what the Copilot feature will do for Outlook users.

When you perform a search in Outlook, you’ll now see a Copilot side pane. This pane acts like your personal assistant, providing a summary of your search results, which includes content from documents and Teams messages. You can interact with this pane by asking additional questions, much like having a conversation with a knowledgeable librarian who can point you to the right information without having to sift through everything yourself.

This feature will be available to users with commercial accounts that have the M365 Copilot license. It will be enabled by default, meaning users don’t need to do anything to start using it, although they will need to opt-in to see AI-generated content. The rollout is planned to begin in mid-December 2025 and should be completed by mid-February 2026.

For organizations, it’s important to ensure that users have the necessary Microsoft 365 AI SKU to access this feature. Communicating this change to helpdesk staff and updating any internal documentation regarding Outlook’s search functionality can help prepare for this update. There are no compliance issues identified with this feature, but organizations should review it as appropriate.

In summary, the Copilot feature in Classic Outlook is like having a smart assistant that makes finding and understanding information quicker and easier, allowing users to focus on what matters most without getting bogged down by the details.