(Updated) New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box

Message Center ID: MC1122153
Microsoft 365 suite Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Plan for Change
New feature User impact
October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026

Summary

Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button providing easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by January 2026, requires no admin action, and improves feature discoverability and usability. Inform users and update documentation as needed.

Details

Updated December 12, 2025: 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 January 2026 (previously end of November 2025).

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.

    Change History

    December 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM Updated
    Summary
    Previous
    Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will add a Tools feature in the prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by November 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability.
    New
    Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button providing easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by January 2026, requires no admin action, and improves feature discoverability and usability. Inform users and update documentation as needed.
    Last Updated Date
    Previous
    2025-11-07T23:41:31.343Z
    New
    2025-12-12T19:23:50.693Z
    Body Content
    Previous

    Updated November 6, 2025: 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 November 2025 (previously mid-October 2025).

    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.

      New

      Updated December 12, 2025: 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 January 2026 (previously end of November 2025).

      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.

        November 8, 2025 at 12:31 AM Updated
        Summary
        Previous
        Starting late September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and will complete rollout by mid-October 2025.
        New
        Starting October 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will add a Tools feature in the prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. Rollout completes by November 2025, requires no admin action, and enhances feature discoverability and usability.
        Last Updated Date
        Previous
        2025-09-24T16:01:00.137Z
        New
        2025-11-07T23:41:31.343Z
        Body Content
        Previous

        Updated September 24, 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 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 late September 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously late September).

        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.

          New

          Updated November 6, 2025: 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 November 2025 (previously mid-October 2025).

          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.

            September 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM Updated
            Summary
            Previous
            Starting mid-September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by late September 2025.
            New
            Starting late September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and will complete rollout by mid-October 2025.
            Last Updated Date
            Previous
            2025-09-03T20:02:41.250Z
            New
            2025-09-24T16:01:00.137Z
            Body Content
            Previous

            Updated September 3, 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 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 mid-September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September).

            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.

              New

              Updated September 24, 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 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 late September 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously late September).

              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.

                September 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM Updated
                Summary
                Previous
                Starting late August 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. It enhances feature discoverability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by early September 2025.
                New
                Starting mid-September 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This improves feature discoverability and usability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by late September 2025.
                Last Updated Date
                Previous
                2025-08-21T13:38:23.640Z
                New
                2025-09-03T20:02:41.250Z
                Body Content
                Previous

                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 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.

                When this will happen

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

                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.

                  New

                  Updated September 3, 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 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 mid-September 2025 (previously late August) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September).

                  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.

                    August 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM Updated
                    Title
                    Previous
                    New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box
                    New
                    (Updated) New Tools feature coming to the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box
                    Summary
                    Previous
                    Starting mid-August 2025, Microsoft Copilot Chat will feature a new Tools button offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. This default-enabled update enhances feature discoverability without requiring admin action; organizations should inform users and update training as needed.
                    New
                    Starting late August 2025, a new Tools feature will appear in the Microsoft Copilot Chat prompt box, offering easy access to task-specific AI capabilities based on user licenses. It enhances feature discoverability, requires no admin setup, and rollout will complete by early September 2025.
                    Last Updated Date
                    Previous
                    2025-07-30T21:57:19.093Z
                    New
                    2025-08-21T13:38:23.640Z
                    Tags
                    Previous
                    New feature,User impact
                    New
                    Updated message,New feature,User impact
                    Body Content
                    Previous

                    Beginning mid-August 2025, 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.

                    When this will happen

                    General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-August 2025 and expect to complete by late August 2025.

                    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.

                      New

                      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 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.

                      When this will happen

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

                      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.

                        July 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM Updated
                        Last Updated Date
                        Previous
                        2025-07-25T22:32:42.037Z
                        New
                        2025-07-30T21:57:19.093Z
                        Body Content
                        Previous

                        Beginning mid-August 2025, 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.

                        When this will happen

                        General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-August 2025 and expect to complete by late August 2025.

                        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.

                          New

                          Beginning mid-August 2025, 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.

                          When this will happen

                          General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rollout mid-August 2025 and expect to complete by late August 2025.

                          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.

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