In a significant update slated for early next year, Microsoft is set to transform the user interface of its Microsoft 365 app. The company has announced that the app will adopt a new icon and will be rebranded as “Microsoft 365 Copilot,” with the changes taking effect in mid-January 2025.
Key Changes to the User Interface
According to a recent communication via the Microsoft 365 Message Center, several notable modifications will be implemented:
- The traditional top header will be eliminated, shifting essential tools such as user profile, settings, and feedback to the bottom left toolbar.
- The feedback button will now reside under the “Settings and more” section located in the same bottom left toolbar.
- A search box will be prominently featured on the Homepage, allowing users to easily locate content across various file types and storage locations. Importantly, the search experience itself will remain unchanged; only its placement will be adjusted.
- All applications listed on the left toolbar will be aligned to the top, while AI-enhanced features like Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and Copilot Pages will be grouped together for better accessibility.
- The organization logo, previously displayed in the top header, will no longer be visible within the app, although it will still appear in other Microsoft 365 applications.
- The “Back” button will be removed from the Windows Microsoft 365 Copilot app, but users can still navigate between pages using the left AppBar.
- The “My Day” feature will also be discontinued, meaning users will no longer have access to the calendar and to-do functionalities within the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
- Additionally, the “Help me create” feature will be retired. This feature, which was introduced in February 2024 to assist users in transitioning from intent to document creation using a language model, will be replaced by AI-powered document creation capabilities integrated into the new Copilot tab.
With these changes, Microsoft aims to streamline the user experience and enhance the integration of AI tools within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The rollout of these updates is anticipated to commence in mid-January 2025.
