Table of Contents
Summary
- Copilot Chat will no longer be controlled by the Pin admin setting for unlicensed users in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
- Users blocked by admin policy will see Chat in the app but will remain restricted, with their landing page defaulting to Search.
- Ineligible users will not see Chat in navigation and will receive a pop-up message if they attempt to access it directly.
- No changes will occur for licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot users or those with default pinning configured.
- No admin action is required; optional documentation review is available for managing the Copilot app and Chat.
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 01 Jan 2026
Release End: 28 Feb 2026
Services: M365 Copilot
Category: Stay informed
Tags: Feature Update, User Adoption
History
12/15/2025 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Introduction
We’re simplifying the behavior of Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app by removing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app from the scope of the Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat admin setting.
Screenshot 1: Pin setting before and after this change
We’re also making Copilot Chat availability state transparent in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Users blocked by Admin policy from Integrated apps will now see Chat in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app navigation. Their access will remain restricted, and their default landing page stays on Search. When these users access Chat in Microsoft 365 Copilot, a message will notify them that Chat is unavailable.
Screenshot 2: User experience in the M365 Copilot app for a user blocked from accessing Copilot
Users ineligible for Copilot due to age, region, or environment won’t see Chat in the app navigation. If users attempt to access the Chat URL directly, a pop-up message will appear letting them know they are not eligible to use Copilot.
When this will happen
General Availability: Rollout will begin in late January 2026 and complete by late February 2026.
How this affects your organization
Who is affected:
- Organizations using the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
- Users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license who have Chat pinning in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app disabled.
- Users blocked from Copilot by admin policy.
- Users ineligible for Copilot due to age, region, or environment restrictions.
What will happen:
- The Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat setting will no longer control Chat visibility in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for unlicensed users.
- For users without a Copilot license, Chat appears as the app’s default landing page.
- Users blocked by admin policy:
- Will see Chat in navigation but remain restricted.
- The landing page remains on Search, while Chat displays a restriction notice.
- Users ineligible for Copilot (due to age, region, or environment):
- Won’t see Chat in navigation.
- If they access Chat via direct URL, a pop-up message will appear letting them know they are not eligible to use Copilot.
- No changes for licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot users or those with default pinning already set.
What you can do to prepare
No admin action is required.
Optional:
Review documentation for managing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and Copilot Chat:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot app features that admins can control | Microsoft Learn
- Manage Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Microsoft Learn
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.