Table of Contents
Summary
- Admins can pin Microsoft 365 Copilot and companion apps (People, File, and Calendar) to the Windows taskbar for easier access.
- The Copilot + Companion toggle is off by default, but can be enabled in the admin center.
- Pinned apps will only appear on Windows 11 Intune-managed devices where they are installed.
- Users can unpin apps at any time, and previously pinned apps will remain unaffected.
- This change does not install the apps; it only pins them if they are already installed.
Admin Impact: Medium
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 01 Oct 2025
Release End: 31 Oct 2025
Services: Intune
Category: Stay informed
Tags: New Feature, Admin Action
History
10/8/2025: Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Introduction
To improve access to Microsoft 365 Copilot and its productivity-enhancing companion apps, we’re introducing an update to the existing setting in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Admins can now pin the companion apps — People, File, and Calendar— to the Windows taskbar, along with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This update helps users quickly access Copilot’s capabilities — Chat, Search, Agents, Notebooks, and Create — alongside key productivity tools.
When this will happen
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in early October 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025.
How this affects your organization
Who is affected
- Admins managing Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
- Users on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices with Microsoft 365 Copilot and companion apps installed.
What will happen
The Copilot + Companion toggle is off by default.
When enabled:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot will be pinned to the taskbar on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
- People, File, and Calendar apps will be pinned only on Windows 11 Intune-managed devices where the apps are installed.
- When the setting is enabled, the companion apps (People, File, Calendar) are pre-selected in the admin UI for pinning. Admins can manually deselect any of these apps before applying the setting.
- Pinned apps will appear to the right of existing taskbar apps.
- Users who manually pinned these apps will see no change.
- Users can unpin apps from the taskbar at any time.
- This setting does not install the apps; it only pins them if already installed.
What you can do to prepare
- Manage the setting in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Copilot > Settings > User access > Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot app to the Windows taskbar
- Ensure Microsoft 365 Copilot is installed on Windows 10/11 devices.
- Ensure People, File, and Calendar apps are installed on Windows 11 devices.
- You can enable the pinning policy even if apps are not yet installed; they will be pinned once installed.
- Notify users about this change and update internal documentation.
- Learn more: Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot and Companion apps to the Windows taskbar
- This MC post is related to messages posts MC1160180 and MC 1115982 respectively
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.