Summary
- Microsoft is adding a new M365 admin center setting to pin the Microsoft Copilot app to the Windows taskbar for selected user groups.
- Admins can target pinning by Entra ID group membership, such as by department, function, or pilot/champions groups.
- The setting only affects eligible Intune-managed Windows devices where the Copilot app is already installed; it does not install the app.
- To use the new control, admins need the Intune Administrator or Global Administrator role and should ensure the app is installed on target devices first.
Primary Service: M365 Copilot
Admin Impact: Medium
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 30 Sept 2026
Release End: 30 Sept 2026
Services: Admin, Intune, M365 Copilot, Windows
Category: Plan for change
Tags: Admin Action, Feature Update
History
9/28/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
We are adding a new option in the M365 admin center that lets you choose which user groups receive the Microsoft Copilot app pinned to the Windows taskbar. This gives you more control on how you target pinning of the app – by department, function, champions group, etc. This setting only pins Copilot on eligible Intune-managed Windows devices where the app is already installed.
Rollout Schedule
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out on late September 2026 and expect to complete by late September 2026.
Impact on Your Organization
Admins will have an additional option under Copilot > Settings > Pin Microsoft Copilot App to Window Taskbar which will allow them to Pin Copilot App to the Windows taskbar of one or more user groups:
Pin for selected groups: Use the group picker to select the user groups for Copilot pinning.
This setting doesn’t install the app; it only pins the app where it is already installed.
Create user groups first depending on your preferred pinning strategy. Some examples below:
- Pin Copilot to a pilot user group: Start with a Copilot champions group. Add more groups as you expand, then select Pin for all devices when you’re ready.
- Pin by department: Target groups such as Sales or HR as each team completes Copilot onboarding.
This update applies to organizations with Intune-managed Windows devices that have the Microsoft Copilot app installed in Windows OS.
Learn more: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot/pin-copilot-taskbar
Action Required/Recommendations
To use group-based pinning, make sure the Microsoft Copilot app is installed on the Windows devices you want to target. You must have the Intune Administrator or Global Administrator role to see and configure this setting.
Compliance considerations
Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? Yes. The feature introduces or updates a user-facing AI or Copilot experience as described in this message.
Does the change include an admin control and, can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership? Yes. The feature includes or affects admin controls, policies, permissions, roles, authentication, or management settings as described in this message. Review the linked documentation or admin center controls for group-based configuration support.