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What's New in Microsoft 365 Copilot (October 2026)
Microsoft's latest Copilot release notes add search chat, model switching and PowerPoint skills. A plain guide to what changed and what is unclear.
In this article
Key takeaways
- Copilot Search now has a chat pane for follow-up questions, according to Microsoft's release notes.
- On the web you can ask for a new answer or switch to a different AI model.
- PowerPoint gains custom skills on Windows and file references on Mac.
- Licensing is often not stated, so check your own plan before expecting a feature.
Where this information comes from
Microsoft publishes a running list of Microsoft 365 Copilot changes. The latest batch is dated 6 October 2026 and covers items released between 22 September and 6 October. Microsoft gives one date for the whole batch rather than a date for each item, and for most items it does not state which licences are required.
Search and chat in one place
Microsoft says Copilot Search now includes a chat pane on Windows and the web. After finding results you can ask follow-up questions, summarise what you found or draft something from it without switching tools.
On the web, the More options menu under a Copilot response now offers Try Again for a fresh answer and Switch Model for an answer from a different AI model. This makes it easier to compare results when the first answer is not quite right.
PowerPoint changes
- Windows users can create custom skills, which are their own commands and workflows for Copilot in PowerPoint. Microsoft says a web version was announced separately.
- On Mac, you can name a SharePoint or OneDrive file, or its owner, in your prompt and Copilot uses it as context without an upload.
Notes for administrators
Admins can now edit a Copilot connector's query string and identity mapping rules after setup in the Microsoft 365 admin center, which previously needed a support ticket. A new SharePoint Admin Center report lists item-level permissions given to the Everyone and Everyone except external users groups, which helps with oversharing checks. Microsoft says it requires SharePoint Advanced Management. Viva Insights dashboards also add adoption analytics for Cowork.
Reports that go further, and why to be careful
A Geeky Gadgets article from 20 October 2026 reports more items, including new AI models in Copilot behind a Premium subscription, live dashboards in Excel and PowerPoint, and Outlook prioritisation. That is secondary coverage rather than a Microsoft announcement, it gives no rollout dates, and its model naming is inconsistent. We could not confirm these items in the release notes we read, so check Microsoft's own channels before relying on them.
Why these changes matter in daily use
Most of this batch is about small frictions rather than headline features. Being able to ask a follow-up inside search saves a trip between tabs, and a quick model switch lets you compare answers without rewriting your prompt. For people who build presentations often, reusable skills and file references reduce repeated typing. None of this needs hands-on testing to describe, but we have not tried these features ourselves. Everything above is Microsoft's own account of what was released.
Before looking for a feature, check which Copilot licence you have, because Microsoft's notes often do not state this. Rollouts are gradual, so a new option may not appear for you straight away. If you manage a tenant, review the new permissions report before widening Copilot access. Keep an eye on Microsoft's release notes page, since it is updated regularly.
Sources
Written by an AI from the sources above and checked by a person before publishing. We have not tested products unless we say so. See our editorial policy or tell us about an error through contact.
