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Microsoft 365 Copilot app to be automatically installed on Windows devices outside EEA

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Microsoft has reversed its plan to automatically install the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows devices outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The forced rollout, originally scheduled to begin in early December 2025 and complete by mid-December, was halted in March 2026 and temporarily disabled without an official explanation. Existing installations remain unaffected. IT administrators can still opt out of automatic installation via the Apps Admin Center and may use new policies to uninstall Copilot on managed devices. Microsoft initially announced in September 2025 that the Copilot app would integrate AI-powered features across Microsoft 365 suite apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and be added to the Windows Start Menu by default, with completion by mid-November 2025. The app was positioned as a centralized entry point for Copilot experiences, though opt-out controls remained available for administrators.

Timeline

  1. 15.09.2025 18:59 3 articles · 6mo ago

    Microsoft 365 Copilot app automatic installation begins in early October 2025

    Microsoft will start automatically installing the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on Windows devices outside the EEA that have the Microsoft 365 desktop client apps. The installation was originally scheduled to begin in early October and be completed by mid-November 2025, but was later revised to a December 2025 timeframe. The app integrates AI-powered Copilot assistant features with Microsoft 365 suite apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. IT administrators can opt out of the automatic installation through the Apps Admin Center. Microsoft has since halted the automatic installation in March 2026, temporarily disabling the forced rollout without providing a reason. Existing installations remain unaffected.

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Information Snippets

Similar Happenings

Microsoft Introduces Policy to Uninstall Copilot on Managed Devices

Microsoft is testing a new policy that allows IT administrators to uninstall the AI-powered Copilot digital assistant on managed devices. This policy, RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, is available in the Dev and Beta Insider channels for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046). The policy applies to devices where both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are installed, the app was not user-installed, and it has not been used in the last 28 days. The policy is available for Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs and can be enabled via the Group Policy editor. This update also addresses several known issues in the File Explorer and Windows Update settings.

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Microsoft 365 Companion Apps to Receive Expanded Copilot Integration

Microsoft is expanding the availability of Copilot features in Microsoft 365 companion apps. The Copilot AI assistant will be integrated into the Calendar app in addition to the existing People and Files apps. These companion apps are currently available only for enterprise and business users, not for Microsoft 365 Personal subscribers. The integration aims to enhance productivity by providing instant suggestions and contextual information directly from the taskbar.

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Copilot on Windows Updated to Connect to Email and Create Office Documents

Microsoft has updated the Copilot digital assistant on Windows to include voice activation via the wake word "Hey Copilot". This feature allows users to interact with Copilot hands-free, enhancing accessibility and engagement. The update also enables Copilot to connect to email services and generate Office documents. The new features are rolling out to systems running Copilot version 1.25095.161.0 and higher, with users able to link their Google and Microsoft accounts to search and summarize information from emails, files, and calendars. The feature is opt-in and requires manual configuration. Users can also create and export Office documents directly from Copilot responses. This update is gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders worldwide.

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