Microsoft 365 Copilot: Copilot Workspaces is replacing standalone agent selection with agentic chat

What and why

Microsoft 365 Copilot Workspaces (formerly Copilot Notebooks) is moving to an agentic chat experience. As part of this change, Researcher, Analyst, and Designer will no longer be available as standalone agent options within Copilot Workspaces.

Instead of selecting or switching between agents, users can describe what they need in plain language. Copilot will automatically apply the appropriate research, analysis, or design skills based on the request and the workspace content.

This change simplifies the user experience while preserving existing capabilities. Researcher, Analyst, and Designer will remain available as separate agents in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for users who prefer working with a specific agent.

Rollout schedule

• Frontier preview: Rollout is planned to begin in December 2026. The completion date has not yet been determined.
• Rollout dates for general availability are still being finalized. We will provide additional information when available.

Impact on your organization

Who is affected

• Users of Microsoft 365 Copilot Workspaces who have access to the Frontier preview

Platforms and services

• Microsoft 365 Copilot Workspaces (formerly Copilot Notebooks)
• Microsoft 365 Copilot app

What will happen

• Standalone agent selection: Researcher, Analyst, and Designer will no longer appear as separate agent options within Copilot Workspaces.
• Agentic chat: Users can describe research, analysis, and design tasks in natural language. Copilot will automatically apply the appropriate skills based on the request and workspace content.
• No loss of capabilities: Research, analysis, and design capabilities will remain available within Copilot Workspaces.
• Simplified workflow: Users will no longer need to select or switch between agents when performing different tasks.
• Continued access to individual agents: Researcher, Analyst, and Designer will remain available as separate agents in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
• Default behavior: This change will apply automatically when it rolls out to your organization.

Action required and recommendations

No admin action is required. We recommend that you:

• Inform users that Researcher, Analyst, and Designer will no longer appear as separate agent options in Copilot Workspaces.
• Explain that users can describe their tasks directly in chat, and Copilot will apply the appropriate capabilities.
• Update internal training and support materials that instruct users to select specific agents within Copilot Workspaces.
• Direct users who prefer working with individual agents to Researcher, Analyst, and Designer in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
• Monitor Message center for additional rollout information.

Compliance considerations

This change introduces an agentic chat experience in Copilot Workspaces, allowing users to interact with research, analysis, and design capabilities through natural language rather than selecting individual agents.

Organizations should review this change as appropriate for their compliance requirements.