MC1188234 – (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Manage and deploy user-level connectors in Microsoft 365 admin center

Product:

Copilot, Entra, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

501585

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot introduces federated connectors enabling real-time access to external apps like Notion and Canva within Copilot. Admins manage these via the Microsoft 365 admin center with control over rollout and compliance. Public preview starts January 12, 2026, requiring a Copilot license.

Details:
Updated January 12, 2026: We have updated the content and timelines. Thank you for your patience.
We're introducing federated Copilot connectors in Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling users to securely connect external apps such as Notion, Canva, or Hubspot directly within Copilot experiences like Researcher. Unlike traditional indexed connectors, federated connectors use the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to access data in real time. This allows users to fetch and read information from connected sources using their own credentials, while maintaining admin-level visibility, control, and governance in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
This feature will be available on the web platform.
A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 501585.
When this will happen:
Public Preview: Rollout will begin by January 12, 2026 (previously November 15, 2025).


DateActivity
Jan 12th to Jan 21stAdmin Experience get rolled out. As soon as Admins see federated Copilot connectors they review them. These will be toggled on but not yet visible to end-users. Admins can leave them as it or stage them or disable them.
Jan 22nd to Jan 28thAdditional time buffer for Admins to review federated connectors and take action as needed
Jan 29th OnwardsUser Experience rollout starts, honoring Admin actions taken.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Preview

Created:
2025-11-20

updated:
2026-01-13

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 Experience Disruption
End users may experience confusion or frustration if federated connectors are enabled without proper admin review, leading to potential access to non-compliant or irrelevant data sources.
   - roles: End Users, Helpdesk Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

Compliance Risks
Without prior preparation, organizations may inadvertently expose sensitive data through federated connectors that do not meet compliance standards, risking data breaches or regulatory penalties.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

Increased Support Tickets
The introduction of new features without adequate preparation may lead to a surge in support requests from users facing issues with the new connectors, overwhelming helpdesk resources.
   - roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced Data Governance
The introduction of federated connectors allows for real-time data access while maintaining admin-level visibility and control. This can significantly improve data governance and compliance by ensuring that only relevant and compliant data sources are connected and accessible to users.
   - next-steps: Conduct a compliance review of all available federated connectors and disable any that do not meet organizational policies. Train IT staff on managing these connectors effectively.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Data Governance Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

Improved User Experience with Custom Connectors
Admins can create and manage custom MCP-based federated connectors for internal data sources, which can enhance user experience by providing tailored access to organizational data directly within Copilot.
   - next-steps: Identify key internal data sources that would benefit from integration with Copilot. Develop and deploy custom connectors to enhance user access to these resources.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Business Analysts, Department Heads
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

Staged Rollout for Targeted User Groups
The ability to use staged rollout for connectors allows organizations to test and refine the use of federated connectors with specific user groups before a full deployment, reducing the risk of compliance issues and improving user feedback.
   - next-steps: Define criteria for user groups that will participate in the staged rollout. Collect feedback and make necessary adjustments before wider deployment.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Project Managers, User Experience Researchers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=501585

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**

Microsoft 365 Copilot is introducing a new feature called federated connectors, which allows users to access external applications like Notion and Canva directly within Copilot. Think of it like having a universal remote control that can manage different devices in your living room. Instead of switching between different apps, you can control them all from one place, which in this case is Copilot.

These connectors work in real-time, meaning they fetch the latest data whenever you need it, similar to how a live news feed updates with the latest headlines. This is different from older methods where data had to be indexed or stored beforehand, like recording a TV show to watch later.

Admins, or the IT folks who manage your company's Microsoft 365 settings, have control over these connectors. They can decide which ones are available to employees, much like how a parent might set parental controls on a TV to decide which channels are accessible. They can also create custom connectors for internal company data, ensuring that only the right people have access to specific information.

Before these connectors become available to everyone in the company, there's a review period where admins can check them out and decide which ones to enable or disable. This is similar to a test drive before buying a car, ensuring everything is in order and meets the company's needs.

Once the review period is over, employees can start using these connectors, but only if the admins have given the green light. This process ensures that the company's data and compliance policies are respected, much like how a company might have security checks before launching a new product.

Overall, these changes aim to make accessing and managing data across different applications easier and more efficient, while still keeping everything secure and under control.