Microsoft Roadmap, messagecenter and blogs updates from 07-12-2025

Updated December 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction:]

Microsoft Edge for Business is introducing a “What’s New” webpage to inform and educate users about the latest features and enhancements in Edge and Microsoft 365 Copilot. After a major browser version update, this page will automatically open in a new tab the first-time users launch the updated browser. This one-time experience provides an overview of new capabilities, allowing users to explore and try out these features directly or simply close the tab and continue working as usual.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 526798.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025) and is expected to complete by late January 2026 (previously late December 2025).

[How this will affect your organization:]

• Who is affected: All users signed in with their Entra ID using Microsoft Edge for Business.
• What will happen:
  • After a major browser update, the “What’s New” page will open automatically in a new tab the first time the browser launches.
  • This feature will be on by default.
  • Admins can disable this experience using the Microsoft365CopilotUpdatePage policy, which will be available once the feature rolls out.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

No admin action is required before rollout. However, you may:

• Review your current configuration to determine the impact on your organization.
• Notify your users about this change.
• Update any relevant internal documentation.

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.

[Introduction]

We’re improving the reliability and performance of Microsoft Edge Workspaces by migrating to a new architecture. Workspaces, introduced in 2022, lets users create durable sets of tabs that can be saved and shared. As part of this update, we will migrate saved Workspace data from OneDrive/SharePoint to the Edge Sync service and remove the collaboration/share functionality.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Production, GCC, GCCH, DoD): Rollout begins mid-February 2026.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: All organizations using Microsoft Edge Workspaces.

What will happen:

• Saved Workspace data will migrate from OneDrive/SharePoint to Edge Sync service.
• Collaboration and sharing functionality will be removed.
• Organizations that have disabled Workspaces via EdgeWorkspacesEnabled policy will not have data migrated.
• If Sync is disabled through policy, existing Workspaces created under the current architecture will still migrate. However, new Workspaces created after migration will not sync across devices and will remain local to each device.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• No admin action is required; migration will occur automatically during rollout.
• If you wish to opt out, contact Microsoft CSS before rollout begins.
• If your organization has significant Workspace usage, notify users and update internal documentation.

Learn more: Workspaces in Microsoft Edge

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

[Introduction]

Turn scanned PDF files into editable, searchable text using built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the OneDrive mobile app. This feature helps users reuse information, speed up document workflows, and make content easier to find.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability for Worldwide, GCC, and GCCH: Rollout begins mid-December 2025 and is expected to complete by late January 2026.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: All users of OneDrive mobile apps on iOS and Android.

What will happen:

• Users can recognize text in scanned PDF files directly within the OneDrive mobile app.
• The feature is enabled by default.
• To use the feature:
1. Open the OneDrive mobile app.
2. Open the scanned PDF you want to make searchable.
3. Long-press the page and select Recognize Text (on iOS) or Recognize text (on Android).
4. After OCR completes, users will see the message: Text is now selectable.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• No action is required from admins.
• Some users may see this feature before others as rollout progresses.
• Communicate this change to helpdesk staff to assist users with the new functionality.
• Update internal documentation if you provide guidance on OneDrive mobile features.

Learn more: We will update this post with new documentation when it becomes available. 

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.

Introduction

Microsoft 365 Copilot makes PDF reviews faster and easier. It explains selected text in plain language and lets you customize prompts for tailored results, so you spend less time switching between apps.

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out in mid-December 2025 and expect to complete by late January 2026.

How this will affect your organization

The Copilot context menu provides quick access to actions that reduce PDF review time. Two options are available:

• Explain this (default): Instantly explains selected text in plain language.
• Custom prompt: Add your own prompt for tailored results—no need to switch apps.

For OneDrive for work users, the Copilot context menu is available for PDFs in OneDrive web.

Steps to use the Copilot context menu in OneDrive web:

1. Go to https://onedrive.com and sign in with your work account.
2. Select the PDF you want to review.
3. Highlight any text in the PDF. The context menu will display Explain this. Press Enter for a plain-language explanation. 



4. To customize, type your own prompt in the input field and press Enter for tailored results. 

Licensing requirements

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

What you need to do to prepare

No action is required at this time.

Note: Some users may see this feature before others in your organization.

Compliance considerations

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

Copilot readiness in the Microsoft 365 admin center provides a centralized experience for applying Microsoft’s recommended settings, policies, and actions for Copilot. It organizes these into predefined packages so admins can quickly deploy Copilot securely and confidently.

To support IT admins in navigating the fast-paced AI landscape, Microsoft is introducing Copilot Readiness Packages in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. These packages offer a centralized experience to discover Microsoft’s recommended admin presets, grouped by key administrative outcomes. Each package includes a personalized readiness assessment, contextual insights, and step-by-step guidance—helping admins deploy Copilot securely, confidently, and efficiently.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 526793.

[When this will happen]

• Targeted Release: Begins mid-December 2025; completes mid-January 2026.
• General Availability (Worldwide): Begins mid-January 2026; completes late February 2026.

[How this affects your organization]

Who is affected: Admins managing Microsoft 365 tenants with Copilot capabilities.

What will happen:

• A new Readiness pivot will appear under Copilot > Settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
• Admins will see grouped configuration sets aligned to key administrative outcomes.
• Each package includes Microsoft’s recommended presets, a personalized readiness assessment, and contextual insights.
• No changes will be made automatically; admins can review and apply configurations as needed.
• The experience is designed to reduce setup complexity and improve governance and security alignment.
• No Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature. Admins can configure both Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot settings without needing a license.

[What you can do to prepare]

No special preparation is required. To get the most out of the experience, admins should:

• Visit the Microsoft 365 admin center and navigate to Copilot > Settings > Readiness
• Review the suggested presets and readiness assessments
• Follow the provided guidance to complete any missing actions or policy updates
• Share feedback directly in the admin center to help improve clarity and completeness

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.