New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box
From Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive by Merill Fernando · Microsoft may not have sent this notice to your tenant.Rollout
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Schedule dates changed in the text
Date phrases in schedule sentences differ between the versions this installation saw- Seen 2 Feb 2026
end of January 2026→ end of February 2026 - Seen 12 Dec 2025
end of November 2025→ end of January 2026 - Seen 7 Nov 2025
mid-August 2025, late September 2025, mid-October 2025→ October 2025, end of November 2025 - Seen 24 Sep 2025
mid-September 2025→ mid-October 2025 - Seen 3 Sep 2025
late August 2025, early September 2025→ mid-September 2025, late September 2025 - Seen 21 Aug 2025 early September 2025
Read from date phrases in Microsoft's text, not from notice metadata. A changed phrase can be a moved rollout, a new milestone or just rewording; "What changed" below shows which.
What the notice says
Microsoft’s text, safely structuredUpdated 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).
How this affects 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.
What changed
Between archive captures, newest firstUpdated
December 12, 2025:February 2, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. Beginning in … 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end ofJanuaryFebruary 2026 (previously end ofNovember 2025).January). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, users …Updated
November 6,December 12, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. Beginning … 2025 (previously late September 2025) and expect to complete by end ofNovember 2025January 2026 (previouslymid-Octoberend of November 2025). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, …Updated
September 24,November 6, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. Beginningmid-August 2025,in October, we're introducing a new Tools feature in the Copilot Chat prompt box. … 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolloutlate Septemberin October 2025 (previouslymid-September)late September 2025) and expect to complete bymid-Octoberend of November 2025 (previouslylate September).mid-October 2025). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, users …Updated September
3,24, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. Beginning … 497298. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolloutmid-Septemberlate September 2025 (previouslylate August)mid-September) and expect to complete bylate Septembermid-October 2025 (previouslyearlylate September). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, …Updated
August 21,September 3, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. Beginning … 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 rolloutlate Augustmid-September 2025 (previouslymid-August)late August) and expect to complete byearlylate September 2025 (previouslylate August).early September). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, users …- Tags
New feature, User impact→ Updated message, New feature, User impact
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 … generation. When this will happen General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout
mid-Augustlate August 2025 (previously mid-August) and expect to complete by early September 2025 (previously lateAugust 2025.August). How this affects your organization Once this update is rolled out, users …- Tags
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