Automatic deployment of Redmond's assistant halted for now
Microsoft has paused plans to force the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on users, halting automatic installations for an unspecified period.
"This app provides a centralized entry point for accessing Copilot experiences and AI-powered capabilities across Microsoft 365," Microsoft said.
"This change simplifies access to Copilot and ensures users can easily discover and engage with productivity-enhancing features."
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Customers using Microsoft 365 desktop client apps were the target audience, and the Windows behemoth originally planned to start rolling it out in early October. This slipped to December 2025 and has now been temporarily halted.
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In a post on the Microsoft 365 Message Center, Microsoft stated that existing installations were unaffected, and the change excluded customers in the European Economic Area (EEA), which were already out of scope.
Administrators wanting the rollout to resume "can deploy the app via other methods and should await further updates."
It was possible to stop deployment of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible devices if an administrator opted out. Otherwise, the app appeared as an icon in the Start Menu, unless it had already been installed.
It's an odd decision from Microsoft, although it might reflect a change of priorities as the policy of Copilot All The Things reportedly undergoes a rethink, at least as far as Windows 11 is concerned.
It's fair to say the reaction from Microsoft's commercial customers was not universally positive, which was likely also a factor in the decision to halt the rollout temporarily. Making it opt-out by default increased the administrative workload and forced IT leaders to make decisions and set policies based on Redmond's whims rather than a corporate schedule.
The automatic deployment was designed to encourage adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot, yet it is clear from social media posts that not all users welcomed the assistant's arrival.
Temporarily halting the rollout, regardless of duration, will give admins breathing space as Microsoft considers how to proceed. ®