Microsoft Roadmap, messagecenter and blogs updates from 10-02-2026

Updated February 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

 We’re introducing voice chats in Microsoft 365 Copilot. 

This update enables users to interact with Copilot using voice, offering a more natural, hands-free experience. Voice chat in M365 Copilot allows users to brainstorm ideas, explore topics, and quickly search—while being able to interrupt or redirect the conversation at any time. This feature will support productivity and accessibility across platforms.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap 481138.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will start early September 2025 (Previously iOS-only in mid-August) and is expected to complete by early March 2026 (previously end of January). 

[How this will affect your organization:]

Users will see a voice chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the input box when using M365 Copilot. Selecting this icon will start voice conversation with Copilot, enabling a more natural and flexible way to interact with AI. This feature is on by default and does not require admin configuration. 

iOS/Android: 

Web/Windows/Mac: 

[What you can do to prepare:]

This feature will be on by default. No action is required by an admin. It is recommended that you notify your users about this new capability and update internal documentation.  

Updated February 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Access to emails by typing ‘/’ in the prompt box will only be available when using Copilot Chat in Outlook. This applies to both the full app and side pane experience. Thank you for your patience.

We’re enhancing Copilot Chat for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license with new capabilities that make it easier for them to include work content—such as files and emails—in their prompts when using Chat in Web scope. By typing ‘/’ in the prompt box, users can quickly search and reference relevant files or emails, streamlining prompt creation and improving Copilot responses. Additionally, some suggested prompts beneath the input box will now include relevant files or emails to help users get started quickly.

Note: Web scope in Copilot Chat is still grounded only in the web. Users can also choose to include additional content in the prompt for Copilot to reason over, such as with the methods described above. Users must switch to Work scope to have Chat automatically grounded in content from their organization’s graph or their personal graph.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 500377.

When this will happen:

• Files: Currently available (Roadmap ID 497112)
• Emails: Rollout begins early October 2025 (previously mid-September) and completes by end of March 2026 (previously end of January).  Roadmap ID 500377.

[How this will affect your organization:]

This update improves usability and prompt relevance in Copilot Chat by allowing users to reference files and emails in their prompts (without uploading them manually) or as part of suggested prompts under the input box. Users will only see content they have access to, based on interaction signals (such as accessed, modified, or shared) and properties (such as creation or last update date).

No changes to default settings or user permissions are required.

What you can do to prepare:

No admin action is required. You may want to inform your users of these changes.

Learn more: Using Context IQ to refer to specific files, people, and more in Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat

Compliance considerations

Updated February 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Access to emails by typing ‘/’ in the prompt box will only be available when using Copilot Chat in Outlook. This applies to both the full app and side pane experience. Thank you for your patience.

We’re enhancing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat with new capabilities that make it easier for users to include work content—such as files and emails—in their prompts. By typing ‘/’ in the prompt box, users can quickly search and reference relevant files or emails, streamlining prompt creation and improving Copilot responses. Additionally, some suggested prompts beneath the input box will now include relevant files or emails to help users get started quickly.

Note: For users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, Copilot Chat is still grounded only in the web. Users can also choose to include additional content in the prompt for Copilot to reason over, such as with the methods described above. Chat is not automatically grounded in the organization’s graph or the user’s personal graph – this is only available for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license when using Chat in Work scope.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 500377.

When this will happen:

• Files: Currently available (Roadmap ID 497112)
• Emails: Rollout begins early October 2025 (previously mid-September) and completes by end of March 2026 (previously end of January). Roadmap ID 500377.

How this affects your organization:

This update improves usability and prompt relevance in Copilot Chat by allowing users to reference files and emails in their prompts (without uploading them manually) or as part of suggested prompts under the input box. Users will only see content they have access to, based on interaction signals (such as accessed, modified, or shared) and properties (such as creation or last update date).

No changes to default settings or user permissions are required.

What you can do to prepare:

No admin action is required. You may want to inform your users about the new reference capabilities.

Learn more: Using Context IQ to refer to specific files, people, and more in Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat

Compliance considerations

Updated February 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.  

[Introduction:]

We’re rolling out a refreshed “See All” experience for the SharePoint News web part (News.aspx page), bringing a modernized layout, improved visual rhythm, and new AI-powered capabilities to help users engage with news more effectively.  A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to access the AI capabilities. 

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 499654.

[When this will happen:]

Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and completed in mid-February 2026 (previously late November 2025).

General Availability:

• Worldwide: Rollout will begin in late February 2026 (previously early February) and is expected to complete by mid-March 2026 (previously February).
• GCC, GCCH and DoD: Rollout will begin in late February 2026 (previously early February) and is expected to complete by mid-March 2026 (previously February).

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: Users of SharePoint sites with the News web part enabled.

What will happen:

• When users click the “See all” button in the News web part, they will see a refreshed dynamic mosaic grid layout.
• The update enhances hierarchy, legibility, and editorial rhythm.
• Core interaction patterns remain unchanged.
• AI-powered capabilities will be available to users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
• Some users may see the new experience before others in your organization.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• No admin action is required.
• The new experience will apply automatically when using the News web part.
• There is no impact to existing News web part functionality.
• If needed, communicate this change to your helpdesk or internal support teams.

Learn more: Use the News web part on a SharePoint page | Microsoft Support

[Compliance considerations:]

Updated February 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

We’re expanding the ability for users to report suspicious Microsoft Teams messages to customers with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. Previously available only to Plan 2, this update helps security teams identify and investigate potential phishing, malware, and spam across internal and external Teams chats, channels, and meeting chats. This enhancement strengthens protection by incorporating user-reported signals into existing Defender detections.

Users will be able to report messages in two ways:

• Report as security risk — for messages suspected to contain phishing, malware, or other malicious content.
• Report as not a security risk — for messages that were incorrectly identified as threats (false positives).

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 531760.

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in mid-March 2026 (previously mid-February) and is expected to complete in late March 2026 (previously mid-February).

Who is affected:

• Microsoft 365 tenants using Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1
• Users across Microsoft Teams
• Security admins reviewing reported messages

What will happen:

• Users will see options to report messages as security risks or not security risks. 
• Reports will appear on the User reported page in the Defender portal and/or your configured mailbox.
• This feature is opt-in and respects your existing User reported settings.
• Teams admin center toggles for reporting will be automatically enabled when User reported settings are turned on.

• Enable and configure User reported settings in the Defender portal.
• Review message reported destination preferences for reported messages.
• Communicate reporting guidance to users.
• Review supporting documentation.
• Update internal documentation as needed.

Learn more: 

• How your submissions to Defender for Office 365 are processed behind-the-scenes | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Blog
• Turn off or turn on user reporting of Teams messages in the Defender portal | Microsoft Learn
• User reported message settings in Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Microsoft Learn

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.