MC1409102 - Enabling group support for M365 Copilot Release preferences experience

What and Why:
Microsoft is enhancing Microsoft 365 Copilot release preferences by adding support for Microsoft Entra ID groups. This update enables admins to assign groups—not just individuals—to Standard or Deferred release audiences, providing more flexible, enterprise-ready control over how Copilot updates are deployed. This improvement supports phased rollouts, targeted validation, and stronger change management practices—helping organizations reduce risk and confidently adopt new Copilot capabilities.

Rollout Schedule:
General Availability (Worldwide): Rolling out from late June 2026 through late July 2026

Impact on Your Organization:

Who is affected:

• Microsoft 365 administrators configuring Copilot release preferences
• Organizations using Standard or Deferred release options for Microsoft 365 Copilot

Platforms/Services:

• Microsoft 365 admin center (web)
• Microsoft 365 Copilot

What will happen:

• Admins can assign Microsoft Entra ID groups to Standard or Deferred release audiences
• Groups can be used to override the tenant-wide release preference
• Enables targeted rollout scenarios such as:
• Assigning pilot groups to Standard release for early validation
• Assigning sensitive departments to Deferred release for additional review time
• Nested groups are not supported
• Total enrollment (users + group members) is limited to 100 users
• Feature is available through existing release preference controls in the Microsoft 365 admin center
• No change to end-user experience unless they are included in a targeted release group

Action Required / Recommendations:
No immediate action is required.

If you plan to use this capability:

• Identify or create Microsoft Entra ID groups for release targeting
• Ensure total enrolled users (including group members) remain within the 100-user limit
• Assign groups in the Microsoft 365 admin center under release preferences
• Regularly review group membership for compliance with limits
• Update internal rollout, pilot, and change management documentation

Additional resources:
Learn more about the modern change management model

Compliance considerations:

• This change introduces an admin control that can be configured using Entra ID group membership
• No other compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization