check before: 2026-01-07
Product:
Copilot, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot
Platform:
Online, US Instances, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Feature update, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, with Anthropic onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor under Microsoft’s data protection terms. Admins can opt out, and some regions (EU/EFTA, UK) and government clouds have exclusions or require opt-in.
Details:
Updated March 3, 2026: Rollout of Anthropic models in the Researcher agent is ongoing through March. We expect the deployment to reach full completion by the end of the month. During this phased rollout, the Anthropic option in Researcher may not yet be visible in all tenants; the existing Researcher functionality remains unchanged. We will provide another update in this post when rollout to Researcher is complete.
Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot
[Introduction:]
In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-12-09
updated:
2026-03-04
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 workload name
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft is integrating Anthropic AI models into its Microsoft 365 Copilot services by default starting January 7, 2026, except for users in regions like the EU, EFTA, and the UK, who must opt in, while admins can choose to opt out if desired.
Direct effects for Operations**
Default Enablement of Anthropic Models
If Anthropic models are enabled by default without proper preparation, users may experience unexpected changes in functionality and performance of Microsoft 365 Copilot features, leading to confusion and decreased productivity.
- roles: Admins, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model#admin-controls-and-requirements-for-external-models
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model#admin-controls-and-requirements-for-external-models
Data Processing Compliance Issues
Without preparation, the automatic onboarding of Anthropic as a subprocessor may lead to compliance issues, especially for organizations in the EU/EFTA and UK, potentially resulting in legal ramifications and data protection violations.
- roles: Compliance Officers, IT Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/microsoft-products-and-services-data-protection-addendum-dpa, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection
Feature Accessibility Changes
Certain features may become inaccessible if the Anthropic models are turned off without prior communication, leading to user frustration and disruption in workflows.
- roles: End Users, Product Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/wordexcelppt-agents, https://support.microsoft.com/topic/use-claude-with-researcher-in-microsoft-365-copilot-23e2503b-d73e-4abb-902d-b9814205a38a
User Experience Degradation
The introduction of new AI models without adequate training or support may degrade user experience, as users may not be familiar with the new functionalities or how to leverage them effectively.
- roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection, https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2343407
Increased Support Requests
The lack of preparation for the changes may lead to an increase in support requests from users facing issues with the new features, overwhelming the IT support team.
- roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model#admin-controls-and-requirements-for-external-models, https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/welcome/welcomepage
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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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 |
| 2026-03-04 | MC Messages | Updated February 2, 2026: In our January 13, 2026 update, we shared that broad availability of Anthropic as a subprocessor in the Researcher agent was expected by the end of January. Rollout is taking longer than anticipated as we complete additional validation. During this phased rollout, the Anthropic option in Researcher may not yet be visible in all tenants; the existing Researcher functionality remains unchanged. We will provide another update in this post when rollout to Researcher is complete.
Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot [Introduction:] In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. | Updated March 3, 2026: Rollout of Anthropic models in the Researcher agent is ongoing through March. We expect the deployment to reach full completion by the end of the month. During this phased rollout, the Anthropic option in Researcher may not yet be visible in all tenants; the existing Researcher functionality remains unchanged. We will provide another update in this post when rollout to Researcher is complete.
Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot [Introduction:] In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. |
| 2026-03-04 | MC Last Updated | 02/03/2026 00:37:18 | 2026-03-03T20:52:12Z |
| 2026-03-04 | MC Summary | Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, under Microsoft’s Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. Admins can opt out via the Microsoft 365 admin center. EU/EFTA, UK, and government clouds have different default settings or exclusions. | Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, with Anthropic onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor under Microsoft’s data protection terms. Admins can opt out, and some regions (EU/EFTA, UK) and government clouds have exclusions or require opt-in. |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Last Updated | 01/13/2026 23:07:37 | 2026-02-03T00:37:18Z |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Messages | Updated January 13, 2026: Anthropic as a subprocessor is rolling out to the Researcher agent in phases, so the Anthropic option in Researcher may not be available for all tenants yet. Broad availability is expected by the end of January 2026. Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot
[Introduction:] In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. | Updated February 2, 2026: In our January 13, 2026 update, we shared that broad availability of Anthropic as a subprocessor in the Researcher agent was expected by the end of January. Rollout is taking longer than anticipated as we complete additional validation. During this phased rollout, the Anthropic option in Researcher may not yet be visible in all tenants; the existing Researcher functionality remains unchanged. We will provide another update in this post when rollout to Researcher is complete.
Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot [Introduction:] In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. |
| 2026-02-03 | MC End Time | 02/16/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-04-20T10:00:00Z |
| 2026-02-03 | MC Summary | Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, with Anthropic onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor under Microsoft’s data protection terms. Admins can opt out, and the default setting varies by region and cloud type. | Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, under Microsoft’s Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. Admins can opt out via the Microsoft 365 admin center. EU/EFTA, UK, and government clouds have different default settings or exclusions. |
| 2026-01-14 | MC prepare | https://aka.ms/dpa
https://aka.ms/EDPLearn https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2185110 https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2343407 https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2343508 https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/wordexcelppt-agents https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model#admin-controls-and-requirements-for-external-models https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/microsoft-products-and-services-data-protection-addendum-dpa https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/welcome/welcomepage | https://aka.ms/dpa
https://aka.ms/EDPLearn https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2185110 https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2343407 https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2343508 https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/wordexcelppt-agents https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/enterprise-data-protection https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model#admin-controls-and-requirements-for-external-models https://support.microsoft.com/topic/use-claude-with-researcher-in-microsoft-365-copilot-23e2503b-d73e-4abb-902d-b9814205a38a https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/microsoft-products-and-services-data-protection-addendum-dpa https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/welcome/welcomepage |
| 2026-01-14 | MC Summary | Starting January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences under Microsoft’s Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. Admins can toggle this setting, with default off in EU/EFTA, UK, and government clouds. Anthropic is now a Microsoft subprocessor, ensuring contractual and data protection compliance. | Anthropic models will be enabled by default in many Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences starting January 7, 2026, with Anthropic onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor under Microsoft’s data protection terms. Admins can opt out, and the default setting varies by region and cloud type. |
| 2026-01-14 | MC Last Updated | 12/08/2025 18:14:43 | 2026-01-13T23:07:37Z |
| 2026-01-14 | MC Messages | [Introduction:]
In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. | Updated January 13, 2026: Anthropic as a subprocessor is rolling out to the Researcher agent in phases, so the Anthropic option in Researcher may not be available for all tenants yet. Broad availability is expected by the end of January 2026. Use Claude with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot
[Introduction:] In September, Anthropic models became available in certain Copilot experiences through an opt-in setting, where use was subject to Anthropic's commercial terms and data processing agreement. On January 7, 2026, Anthropic models will be enabled by default for many customers and now offered under the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum. To enable this change, Anthropic has been onboarded as a Microsoft subprocessor. This transition extends Microsoft's contractual commitments and data protection standards to the use of Anthropic models in Copilot experiences. |
| 2026-01-14 | MC Title | Coming Soon: Anthropic models will be available by default in Copilot experiences | (Updated) Coming Soon: Anthropic models will be available by default in Copilot experiences |
| 2026-01-14 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, Feature update, User impact, Admin impact |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
