💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
- Feature: Microsoft is introducing support for Declarative Agents in Copilot Chat within the classic Outlook for Windows client.
- Functionality: Declarative Agents allow for a customized Copilot experience by integrating specific plugins, enterprise connectors, and orchestration logic directly into the email client.
- Updated Timeline: Rollout will begin in early January 2026 (delayed from October 2025) and is expected to reach General Availability by the end of January 2026.
- Scope: This update applies to both Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed users and standard Copilot Chat users (though capabilities vary by license).
Impact
- User Interface: Users will see a new right-side panel in classic Outlook containing entry points to browse the app store, create new agents, and access agents deployed by administrators.
- Default Status: Declarative Agents in Copilot Chat will be enabled by default for all tenants with Copilot licenses. No manual opt-in is required for basic functionality.
- Licensing Tiers:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot License: Users have full access to advanced orchestration, enterprise connectors, and plugins.
- Copilot Chat (No License): Users can build and use “knowledge-only” agents but will have limited access to advanced enterprise features.
- Administrative Control: Admins can manage these agents via the “Integrated apps” section in the Microsoft 365 admin center, allowing them to block, remove, or assign agents to specific groups.
- Advanced Requirements: Use of SharePoint or Microsoft Graph connectors within agents requires explicit administrative opt-in and the configuration of billing setups.
Action Required
- Review Settings: Navigate to the Integrated apps section of the Microsoft 365 admin center to verify agent management policies.
- Configure Connectors: If your organization requires agents to access SharePoint or Graph data, ensure that Copilot extensibility is enabled and billing is configured via the Microsoft 365 or Power Platform admin centers.
- Manage Governance: Define which users or groups should have the authority to create or install Declarative Agents before the January 2026 rollout.
- Update Documentation: Inform your helpdesk and IT support teams about the new right-side panel in classic Outlook to prepare for user inquiries.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: stayInformed
Severity: normal
Updated November 3, 2025: We are making additional fixes which will delay this release. Our updated plan is to make this feature available by end January, 2026. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction:]
To enhance the extensibility of Microsoft 365 Copilot, we’re introducing support for Declarative Agents in Copilot Chat within classic Outlook for Windows. Declarative Agents will be available for Copilot Chat users (without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license) and Microsoft 365 Copilot users (with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license). Declarative Agents allow users to customize their Copilot experience by integrating plugins, enterprise connectors, and orchestration logic. This update aligns classic Outlook with other Copilot Chat experiences, delivering consistent agent capabilities across platforms.
This update is tracked under Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 481559.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early January 2026 (previously late October 2025) and expect to complete by end of January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025).
[How this will affect your organization:]
Who is affected:
- Organizations using classic Outlook for Windows with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
- Admins managing Copilot extensibility and agent deployment
What will happen:
- Declarative Agents will be available in Copilot Chat within classic Outlook for Windows
- Users will see a right-side panel in Outlook showing:
- Agents previously installed by the user
- Agents deployed by the admin
- Entry points to browse agents in the app store
- Option to create a new agent
- Declarative Agents in Copilot Chat are enabled by default for Microsoft 365 tenants with Copilot licenses
- No admin opt-in is required to use agents in Copilot Chat
- Advanced agent capabilities (access to SharePoint or Graph connectors) require explicit admin opt-in and billing setup
- Admins can manage agents through the Integrated apps section of the Microsoft 365 admin center, including:
- Enabling or disabling Declarative Agents for the organization
- Assigning access to specific users or groups
- Blocking or removing agents from the organizational catalog
- Managing agent visibility and availability
Licensing tiers:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: Requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Users get full access to Declarative Agents, including those integrated with plugins, enterprise connectors, and advanced orchestration features
- Copilot Chat: Designed for users without the Copilot license. These users can still access Copilot Chat and build knowledge-only Declarative Agents, but with limited capabilities
[What you can do to prepare:]
- Review agent management settings in the Integrated apps section of the Microsoft 365 admin center
- Ensure Copilot extensibility is enabled for your organization if you plan to use agents.
- If you plan to use advanced agent capabilities (such as Graph or SharePoint connectors), configure billing and opt-in via the Microsoft 365 admin center or Power Platform admin center.
- Communicate this update to helpdesk and support teams.
Learn more:
