MC1188228 – M365 Change Digest

One-line summary

Users with Microsoft 365 Copilot license can summarize files and share summaries via File Explorer and OneDrive activity center; rollout starts January 2026, no admin action needed.

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Details

Summary

Microsoft 365 Copilot will enable users to generate and share AI-generated file summaries directly from Windows File Explorer and OneDrive activity center starting January 2026. The feature is enabled by default, requires a Copilot license, and aims to enhance collaboration without needing admin setup.

Body (from Message Center)

Updated January 26, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

We’re bringing the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot directly into your daily file experience in Windows. This new feature enables users to generate summaries of files and share them directly from the share dialog in File Explorer and the OneDrive activity center. This enhancement is designed to streamline collaboration and improve productivity by making it easier to provide context when sharing files.

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

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rollout begins in early January 2026 and is expected to complete by end of February 2026 (previously late January).

How this affects your organization:

Who is affected: All users of OneDrive and File Explorer in Windows with Microsoft 365 Copilot enabled.
What will happen:
- Users will be able to summarize files and include the summary when sharing via File Explorer or OneDrive activity center:
- The feature is enabled by default.
- No admin configuration is required.

What you can do to prepare

No admin action is required to enable this feature.

If your organization uses or plans to use Copilot, consider:

Informing users about the new summary-sharing capability.
Updating internal documentation to reflect this new functionality.
Reviewing Microsoft Copilot licensing and availability details: Which Copilot is right for me or my organization? | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

Question	Answer
Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data?	Yes. This feature uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to generate summaries of user files, which involves AI processing of customer content.
Does the change provide users any new way of interacting with generative AI?	Yes. Users can now generate and share AI-generated summaries directly from File Explorer and OneDrive activity center.

Raw JSON (for debugging)

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    "action_required_by": null,
    "ai_action_required_by": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "ai_actions": [
      "Inform users about new summary-sharing",
      "Update internal documentation",
      "Review Copilot licensing"
    ],
    "ai_master_tags": [
      "User",
      "Admin",
      "Copilot License"
    ],
    "ai_model": "gpt-4.1",
    "ai_summary": "Users with Microsoft 365 Copilot license can summarize files and share summaries via File Explorer and OneDrive activity center; rollout starts January 2026, no admin action needed.",
    "ai_topics": [
      "Copilot",
      "Windows",
      "OneDrive"
    ],
    "category": "planForChange",
    "details_map": {
      "Summary": "Microsoft 365 Copilot will enable users to generate and share AI-generated file summaries directly from Windows File Explorer and OneDrive activity center starting January 2026. The feature is enabled by default, requires a Copilot license, and aims to enhance collaboration without needing admin setup."
    },
    "id": "MC1188228",
    "importance": 5,
    "is_major_change": true,
    "last_modified": "2026-01-26T23:35:06Z",
    "ms_products": [
      "Copilot"
    ],
    "platforms": null,
    "roadmap_ids": [],
    "services": [
      "Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)"
    ],
    "severity": "normal",
    "tags": [
      "Updated message",
      "New feature",
      "User impact",
      "Admin impact"
    ],
    "title": "(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Summarize and share OneDrive files in Windows using Copilot"
  }
}