New Year, New Momentum: Here are three Copilot updates to get you started into 2026

It's a new year, so I thought I'd start the year by mentioning three features already released, or soon going to be released. One of the features improves the workflow of sharing files with comments, the other improves the application specific Copilot, and the last feature makes it easer to find the nest available timeslot for a 1:1 meeting. As with all of my other posts, timelines can shift, and the timelines in this post is as written in the Message Center at the time of posting. AI-Summary experience when sharing files. With this new feature, copilot intent to help users share files with clearer context in just a few steps. Users will get the capability to generate a concise summary of a file and include it when sharing from the File Explorer share dialog or the OneDrive activity center. This will make it easier to share the context of a file and giving the receiver a faster understanding of what a document or file contains before they open it. General Availability announced...

A new file experience, learn how to block anonymous access to chat and avatars for all

The file app in Teams is getting a makeover, making it far easier to navigate through your own files, and to rediscover or relocate files shared by you or to you. The look and feel is a lot cleaner, and way easier to navigate. According to the roadmap, it should be available to must users by the end of July.

Anonymous access can be a concern for some organizations. Microsoft is now making it easier to control if anonymous meeting users have access to chat or not. Currently rolling out to tenants world wide, is the addition to Teams control panel and Powershell, to set a policy to exclude anonymous users. Take a look at the options and how to set them in this article. Internal users will get a warning when using a feature anonymous users can't use, if there are any in the meeting.

Avatars is rolling out to "anyone" with a valid license. Soon anyone can get their own Avatar for meetings. This feature is a great addition for those who are unable to join with a live camera feed. The avatar brings a new level of presence where a user can animate a lot of reactions otherwise unavailable to them. To set up avatars, users will have to use a Teams app where they can create several avatars. These avatars are then available in their meetings. Take a look at this documentation to get started.