(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: The chat experience will offer better search refinement in the CIQ menu "Files" tab

Message Center ID: MC1048631
Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Stay Informed
New feature User impact
September 2025 October 2025
Desktop Web

Summary

Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat experience will soon include File type and People filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab for improved search refinement. The rollout begins early October 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances finding relevant files faster with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.

Details

Updated October 3, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

 Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early October 2025 (previously late September) and expect to complete by early October 2025 (previously mid-September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

Related Roadmap Items

Change History

October 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat will soon include "File type" and "People" filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab, enhancing search refinement. This update, rolling out globally from late September to early October 2025, requires no admin action and improves finding relevant files faster.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat experience will soon include File type and People filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab for improved search refinement. The rollout begins early October 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances finding relevant files faster with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-09-24T16:10:10.210Z
New
2025-10-03T14:34:26.077Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated September 24, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by early October 2025 (previously mid-September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

New

Updated October 3, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

 Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early October 2025 (previously late September) and expect to complete by early October 2025 (previously mid-September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

September 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat will soon include File type and People filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab for improved search refinement. The rollout starts late August 2025, completing by mid-September, requiring no admin action. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is needed to use this feature.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat will soon include "File type" and "People" filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab, enhancing search refinement. This update, rolling out globally from late September to early October 2025, requires no admin action and improves finding relevant files faster.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-08-15T19:40:17.927Z
New
2025-09-24T16:10:10.210Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated August 15, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously early August) and expect to complete by mid-September 2025 (previously mid-August).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

New

Updated September 24, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by early October 2025 (previously mid-September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

August 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM Updated
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat will soon include File type and People filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab for improved search refinement. The rollout starts early August 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances finding relevant files by applying specific search criteria.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot's chat will soon include File type and People filters in the CIQ menu's Files tab for improved search refinement. The rollout starts late August 2025, completing by mid-September, requiring no admin action. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is needed to use this feature.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-07-24T14:45:03.313Z
New
2025-08-15T19:40:17.927Z
Body Content
Previous

Updated July 24, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early August 2025 (previously late June) and expect to complete by mid-August 2025 (previously mid-July).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

New

Updated August 15, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Coming soon to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly BizChat): Users will be able to use a File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu to apply search criteria and find relevant files more quickly.

Context IQ (CIQ) is a set of AI capabilities from Microsoft that allows users to search for, select, and insert relevant enterprise or personal data directly into their prompts or conversations. This capability helps users to “ground” or anchor their prompts in specific, contextually relevant data, making responses more accurate, specific, and useful.

This message applies to the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and Copilot Chat on the web.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481136.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously early August) and expect to complete by mid-September 2025 (previously mid-August).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Before this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can refine search results by entering text in the search box in the CIQ menu.

After this rollout, in the chat experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can enter text in the search box and also use the File type filter and People refiners in the CIQ menu's Files tab.

The CIQ menu Files tab before this rollout:

admin controls

The CIQ menu Files tab after this rollout, with the new File type filter and People refiners:

admin controls

This feature will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to determine the impact for your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

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