Microsoft Resumes Automatic Installation of Microsoft 365 Copilot
In a notable development, Microsoft has reignited its plans for the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on select Windows PCs. Initially set in motion late last year, this initiative faced a temporary halt in March 2026 due to technical complications. However, the tech giant from Redmond has now resumed the rollout, signaling a new chapter for users of Microsoft 365 applications.
According to a recent update shared on its Message Center aimed at IT administrators, Microsoft is moving forward with the automatic installation of the Copilot app on commercial Windows PCs that already have Microsoft 365 apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, installed. This means that users with an active Microsoft 365 license can expect to see the Copilot app appear in their Installed Apps section shortly.
For IT administrators, there is a silver lining: they retain the ability to manage this rollout. Should they prefer to opt out, devices within their tenant will not automatically receive the Copilot app. The phased rollout, which utilizes feature flags, has already commenced and is projected to conclude by the end of June. The timeline for this rollout is as follows:
- Feature Flag 1: Started June 4, expected to finish June 10
- Feature Flag 2: Expected to start on June 11, expected to finish June 17
- MSGraph schema rollout: Expected to start on June 18, expected to finish June 24
- Feature Flag 3: Expected to start on June 25, expected to complete by July 1
While Microsoft has not yet provided specific details on how to toggle these feature flags in its Message Center, the absence of this information on its public support page has not gone unnoticed. In light of this significant change, Microsoft has advised IT admins to proactively inform users about the impending installation, ensuring they are not taken by surprise by the appearance of a new app without prior notice or consent.
It’s worth noting that users who already have the Copilot app installed or those located in the European Economic Area (EEA) will remain unaffected by this latest initiative, which Microsoft has aptly described as a “major change.” As the rollout progresses, the tech community will be watching closely to see how this integration enhances the user experience within the Microsoft ecosystem.
