MC1168292 - New setting to pin Microsoft 365 Copilot and Companion apps to the Windows taskbar.

Introduction

To improve access to Microsoft 365 Copilot and its productivity-enhancing companion apps, we’re introducing an update to the existing setting in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Admins can now pin the companion apps — People, File, and Calendar— to the Windows taskbar, along with the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This update helps users quickly access Copilot’s capabilities — Chat, Search, Agents, Notebooks, and Create — alongside key productivity tools.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in early October 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025.

How this affects your organization:

• Who is affected:
  • Admins managing Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
  • Users on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices with Microsoft 365 Copilot and companion apps installed.
• What will happen:
  • The Copilot + Companion toggle is off by default.
  • When enabled:
    • Microsoft 365 Copilot will be pinned to the taskbar on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
    • People, File, and Calendar apps will be pinned only on Windows 11 Intune-managed devices where the apps are installed.
    • When the setting is enabled, the companion apps (People, File, Calendar) are pre-selected in the admin UI for pinning. Admins can manually deselect any of these apps before applying the setting.
    • Pinned apps will appear to the right of existing taskbar apps.
    • Users who manually pinned these apps will see no change.
    • Users can unpin apps from the taskbar at any time.
    • This setting does not install the apps; it only pins them if already installed.

What you can do to prepare:

• Manage the setting in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Copilot > Settings > User access > Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot app to the Windows taskbar
• Ensure Microsoft 365 Copilot is installed on Windows 10/11 devices.
• Ensure People, File, and Calendar apps are installed on Windows 11 devices.
• You can enable the pinning policy even if apps are not yet installed; they will be pinned once installed.
• Notify users about this change and update internal documentation.
• Learn more: Pin Microsoft 365 Copilot and Companion apps to the Windows taskbar
• This MC post is related to messages posts MC1160180 and MC 1115982 respectively 

Compliance considerations:

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