check before: 2026-02-01
Product:
Copilot, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Feature update, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot will introduce a unified plus (+) menu by late February 2026, consolidating grounding, tools, and data sources for easier access. This change replaces the separate Tools menu, is enabled by default, requires no admin action, and aims to streamline user workflow.
Details:
Updated February 6, 2026: We have updated the image below. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Microsoft is introducing a unified plus (+) menu to make it easier for users to add grounding, tools, and sources when prompting in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Grounding refers to the content users connect to Copilot-such as files, sites, or other organizational data-that helps improve response relevance. This update consolidates related actions into a single menu, improving discoverability and streamlining the workflow for adding entities or updating inputs. This simplified menu will be available for Copilot Chat users (without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) and Microsoft 365 Copilot users (with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license).
Note: The Tools menu will be consolidated under the unified plus (+) menu and no longer exist as a separate menu in the prompt box after this change.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in late February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid‑March 2026.
Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Release Phase:
Created:
2026-02-05
updated:
2026-02-07
Task Type
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Docu to Check
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS How does it affect me
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Preperations
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Urgency
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS workload name
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Pictures
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
summary for non-techies**
Microsoft is introducing a unified plus (+) menu for Microsoft 365 Copilot, consolidating grounding, tools, and data sources into a single location to streamline user interactions, with rollout scheduled from late February to mid-March 2026.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Interface Change
The introduction of the unified plus (+) menu may confuse users accustomed to the previous Tools menu, leading to potential workflow disruptions.
- roles: End Users, Helpdesk Support
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2026/02/06/introducing-the-unified-plus-menu-in-microsoft-365-copilot/
Training and Documentation
Existing training materials and documentation will become outdated, requiring immediate updates to avoid misinformation and user frustration.
- roles: Training Teams, Helpdesk Support
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2026/02/06/introducing-the-unified-plus-menu-in-microsoft-365-copilot/
User Adoption and Productivity
Users may experience a temporary decline in productivity as they adapt to the new menu layout, impacting overall efficiency.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2026/02/06/introducing-the-unified-plus-menu-in-microsoft-365-copilot/
Configutation Options**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
Opportunities**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Potentional Risks**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
IT Security**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
explanation for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
a free basic plan is required to see more details. Sign up here
A cloudsocut.one plan is required to see all the changed details. If you are already a customer, choose login.
If you are new to cloudscout.one please choose a plan.
change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-02-07 | MC Summary | Microsoft 365 Copilot will introduce a unified plus (+) menu by late February 2026, consolidating grounding, tools, and sources into one menu for easier access. This change affects Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot users, is enabled by default, requires no admin action, and improves workflow and discoverability. | Microsoft 365 Copilot will introduce a unified plus (+) menu by late February 2026, consolidating grounding, tools, and data sources for easier access. This change replaces the separate Tools menu, is enabled by default, requires no admin action, and aims to streamline user workflow. |
| 2026-02-07 | MC Last Updated | 02/05/2026 01:08:00 | 2026-02-06T17:26:35Z |
| 2026-02-07 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
Microsoft is introducing a unified plus (+) menu to make it easier for users to add grounding, tools, and sources when prompting in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Grounding refers to the content users connect to Copilot-such as files, sites, or other organizational data-that helps improve response relevance. This update consolidates related actions into a single menu, improving discoverability and streamlining the workflow for adding entities or updating inputs. This simplified menu will be available for Copilot Chat users (without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) and Microsoft 365 Copilot users (with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license). Note: The Tools menu will be consolidated under the unified plus (+) menu and no longer exist as a separate menu in the prompt box after this change. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in late February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid‑March 2026. | Updated February 6, 2026: We have updated the image below. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Microsoft is introducing a unified plus (+) menu to make it easier for users to add grounding, tools, and sources when prompting in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Grounding refers to the content users connect to Copilot-such as files, sites, or other organizational data-that helps improve response relevance. This update consolidates related actions into a single menu, improving discoverability and streamlining the workflow for adding entities or updating inputs. This simplified menu will be available for Copilot Chat users (without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) and Microsoft 365 Copilot users (with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license). Note: The Tools menu will be consolidated under the unified plus (+) menu and no longer exist as a separate menu in the prompt box after this change. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in late February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid‑March 2026. |
| 2026-02-07 | MC Title | Microsoft 365 Copilot app: Unified plus (+) menu | (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot app: Unified plus (+) menu |
| 2026-02-07 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, User impact | Updated message, Feature update, User impact |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
