Here are three new updates to the user interface of Microsoft Copilot. These releases improve usability, expand interaction options, and streamline how users incorporate work content into prompts. All three of these features were actually announced "a long time ago", and the initial release started almost 6 months ago. But I guess the setup is complicated, as the rollout hasn't completed yet. This only proves the importance of paying attention to the official roadmap and the tenant message center in order to understand when features are being implemented for your organization. Timelines may continue to evolve as deployments progress, and this summary includes the official reference IDs and documentation links for verification.
Refreshed Navigation Experience
There is a redesigned navigation experience for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app heading your way, delivering a cleaner, more efficient layout. The update flattens the menu structure and groups related components to help users locate tools more intuitively. The General Availability began in December 2025 and is now expected to conclude by the end of February 2026, originally planned for January. Tis feature is associated with the Microsoft Roadmap ID 518222.
Voice Chat for Hands‑Free Interaction
Voice chat is finally coming to Microsoft 365 Copilot, offering users a natural, hands‑free way to brainstorm, explore topics, and search while retaining the ability to interrupt or redirect the conversation at any time. General Availability rollout actually began as early as early September 2025 for some, but it has taken quite some time and is now expected to complete by early March 2026 rather than January. Voice chat appears as an icon in the input box, requires no configuration, and is enabled by default across supported platforms. Read more about the roll-out status at the Microsoft Roadmap ID 481138
New way of referencing Emails in Copilot Chat
Microsoft has announced new content‑referencing capabilities in Copilot Chat, and two similar updates now bring this functionality to separate environments. Because they resemble one another, it is important to clarify that one applies specifically to Copilot Chat in Outlook, while the other applies to Copilot Chat more broadly. Both enhancements introduce the ability to use “/” in the prompt box to reference work files or emails without uploading them manually. The Outlook‑specific update ensures that email referencing is available only within Copilot Chat in Outlook, covering both the full app and side pane. The broader Copilot Chat enhancement enables the same referencing behavior across standard Chat experiences but continues to differentiate between Web scope and Work scope depending on the user’s license.
You may think this isn't a new thing, but that might be because the initial rollout started in early October 2025, I believe it should have been completed sooner, but it is now expected to finish by late March 2026 instead of January.
You may think this isn't a new thing, but that might be because the initial rollout started in early October 2025, I believe it should have been completed sooner, but it is now expected to finish by late March 2026 instead of January.
Thank you for reading this update on the upcoming Microsoft 365 Copilot enhancements. For more insights and ongoing coverage, you are welcome to follow me on LinkedIn