Microsoft is simplifying its Copilot experience by bringing its separate Copilot apps closer together under one updated Microsoft Copilot app.
The change combines features from the regular Microsoft Copilot app with tools available through Microsoft 365 Copilot. The goal is to give users one main place for AI chat, image creation, files, productivity tools, and other Microsoft 365 services.
People will be able to sign in with personal, work, or school accounts inside the updated app. However, Microsoft will continue to keep personal and business data separate. This means information from a personal Microsoft account will not automatically mix with data from a company or school account.
Users who currently have both Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot will see their experience moved toward the new unified app. Chat history and most created content will also move during the transition.
Microsoft is also retiring some Copilot features as part of the change.
Copilot Podcasts will no longer be available after August 18, 2026. Users who have created podcasts can download them before the feature disappears.
Deep Research is also being retired from the consumer Copilot app starting August 18. The feature was designed to create detailed research reports and analyses using AI.
Group Chat is changing as well. Existing Group Chats will be converted into individual conversations with Copilot. Users will still be able to see much of their own previous chat history, but they will no longer be able to continue those conversations as shared group chats. Some content created or shared by other participants may also become unavailable.
Microsoft says most users will not need to manually prepare for the update. Web users will be redirected to the newer Copilot experience, while mobile users may receive an app update. The updated experience is beginning to reach web and mobile users in August, with Windows and Mac updates following later.
The new Copilot will also provide easier access to Microsoft services such as Word, Excel, Outlook, files, email, calendars, and cloud storage. This could make Copilot more useful as a single AI assistant for both everyday tasks and workplace productivity.
Files created or shared through the standalone Copilot experience will also move toward OneDrive, giving users a more familiar location to manage their AI-generated and uploaded content.
Basic Copilot features such as AI chat, image creation, and file uploads will continue to have a free option, although usage limits can apply. Microsoft 365 subscribers will receive higher limits and access to more advanced AI capabilities.
The consolidation shows Microsoft is trying to reduce confusion around its growing number of Copilot products. Instead of asking users to move between similar AI apps, Microsoft is building a more consistent Copilot experience that can handle personal and professional tasks from one interface.
At the same time, retiring features such as Podcasts and Deep Research shows that Microsoft is also cutting or reorganizing parts of Copilot as it decides which AI tools should remain central to the platform.
