(Updated) Decoupling admin controls for agents on/off from Researcher and Analyst

Message Center ID: MC1185442
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Plan for Change
Admin impact
December 15, 2025
December 2025

Summary

Researcher and Analyst remain available to all M365 Copilot license users even if Copilot agents are disabled in Agents Settings. This update, rolling out from December 15, 2025, affects IT admins managing agent access and requires reviewing access controls and updating documentation accordingly.

Details

Updated December 4, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

Researcher and Analyst are part of the core default experience for M365 Copilot Chat and will now continue to be available to all users with a Copilot license—even when the ability to use Copilot agents is disabled for some or all users in the organization. This change reflects customer feedback and ensures uninterrupted access to foundational productivity tools.

Screenshot 1: Agents Settings for who can access agents in the organization

user settings

[When this will happen:]

General Availability begins December 15, 2025 and will begin to rollout over the next few weeks.

[How this affects your organization:]

  • Who is affected: IT Admins that manage Copilot agent access in M365 Copilot Chat and M365 Copilot licensed users.
  • What will happen:
    • Researcher and Analyst will remain accessible in M365 Copilot Chat via tools, even when Copilot agents are disabled in Agents Settings for some or all users.
    • When No users or Specific users/groups is selected in Agents Settings, Researcher and Analyst will not appear in the left navigation of M365 Copilot Chat for those users or @mention.
    • Existing admin controls to block Researcher and Analyst agents will continue to function as expected as set by the admin in the Agent inventory.

Screenshot 2: Agent inventory

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

December 5, 2025 at 4:31 AM Updated
Title
Previous
Decoupling admin controls for agents on/off from Researcher and Analyst
New
(Updated) Decoupling admin controls for agents on/off from Researcher and Analyst
Summary
Previous
Researcher and Analyst tools in M365 Copilot Chat remain available to all Copilot license users even if Copilot agents are disabled. Admin controls for agent access are decoupled, effective December 15, 2025. Admins should review access settings, update documentation, and inform support teams accordingly.
New
Researcher and Analyst remain available to all M365 Copilot license users even if Copilot agents are disabled in Agents Settings. This update, rolling out from December 15, 2025, affects IT admins managing agent access and requires reviewing access controls and updating documentation accordingly.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-11-12T23:46:23.897Z
New
2025-12-05T00:21:49.330Z
Tags
Previous
Admin impact
New
Updated message,Admin impact
Body Content
Previous

[Introduction]

Researcher and Analyst are part of the core default experience for M365 Copilot Chat and will now continue to be available to all users with a Copilot license—even when the ability to use Copilot agents is disabled for some or all users in the organization. This change reflects customer feedback and ensures uninterrupted access to foundational productivity tools.

Screenshot 1: Agents Settings for who can access agents in the organization

user settings

[When this will happen:]

General Availability begins December 15, 2025.

[How this affects your organization:]

  • Who is affected: IT Admins that manage Copilot agent access in M365 Copilot Chat and M365 Copilot licensed users.
  • What will happen:
    • Researcher and Analyst will remain accessible in M365 Copilot Chat via tools and @mention, even when Copilot agents are disabled in Agents Settings for some or all users.
    • When No users or Specific users/groups is selected in Agents Settings, Researcher and Analyst will not appear in the left navigation of M365 Copilot Chat for those users.
    • Existing admin controls to block Researcher and Analyst will continue to function as expected as set by the admin in the Agent inventory.

Screenshot 2: Agent inventory

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated December 4, 2025: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

Researcher and Analyst are part of the core default experience for M365 Copilot Chat and will now continue to be available to all users with a Copilot license—even when the ability to use Copilot agents is disabled for some or all users in the organization. This change reflects customer feedback and ensures uninterrupted access to foundational productivity tools.

Screenshot 1: Agents Settings for who can access agents in the organization

user settings

[When this will happen:]

General Availability begins December 15, 2025 and will begin to rollout over the next few weeks.

[How this affects your organization:]

  • Who is affected: IT Admins that manage Copilot agent access in M365 Copilot Chat and M365 Copilot licensed users.
  • What will happen:
    • Researcher and Analyst will remain accessible in M365 Copilot Chat via tools, even when Copilot agents are disabled in Agents Settings for some or all users.
    • When No users or Specific users/groups is selected in Agents Settings, Researcher and Analyst will not appear in the left navigation of M365 Copilot Chat for those users or @mention.
    • Existing admin controls to block Researcher and Analyst agents will continue to function as expected as set by the admin in the Agent inventory.

Screenshot 2: Agent inventory

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

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