Microsoft 365 Message Center item MC1393471

MC1393471 - (Updated) Copilot Cowork generally available today

Copilot Cowork is now generally available worldwide with GPT-5.5, new plugins, and Microsoft Purview integration. It requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and usage-based billing via Copilot Credits. Admins must enable billing by June 16, 2026, or Frontier users lose access by July 1. A new Cost Management Dashboard helps control spending and usage.

Message Center ID: MC1393471
Category: plan For Change
Severity: normal
Services: Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Tags: Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact, Deferred feature
Published: 2026-06-16
Last updated: 2026-06-22
Expires: 2026-08-31

Updated June 17, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. [What and Why] Starting today, Copilot Cowork is now generally available worldwide (Tier 1 languages). This release includes multi-model capabilities—OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 Thinking, new plugins, updated skill management, updated navigation, Microsoft Purview integration, and support for branded templates and image creation. GPT-5.5 and browser use via Microsoft Edge (default-off, admin-enabled) are available in Frontier.Read the announcement: Copilot Cowork is now generally available  Copilot Cowork requires both:A Microsoft 365 Copilot license to access the experience.Usage-based billing enabled via Copilot CreditsNote: The Microsoft 365 Copilot license remains our commitment to delivering broad, everyday AI productivity at a predictable, per-user price. It includes Copilot Chat, Copilot in Office apps and Teams, Work IQ, multi-model, and pre-built agents like Researcher.To manage usage-based billing, a new Cost Management Dashboard. in the Microsoft 365 admin center enables admins to configure billing, set spending policies, and control spend. Learn more on how to setup and manage here. To use Copilot Cowork: Admins need to enable usage-based billing starting June 16, 2026.PrerequisiteMicrosoft 365 Copilot license requiredBillingUsage based billing via Copilot Credits; no usage is bundled with the M365 Copilot licenseCowork Access End users who accessed Copilot Cowork via Frontier (prior to 6/16) retain access through June 30, 2026 without incurring cost. Starting 6/23, end users will receive an in-app banner notification with the expiration date.After July 1Access ends without billing configured; no interruption if billing is in place. For Frontier active users: Admin action is required before July 1, 2026. Without billing configured, active Frontier users will lose access. Refer to (MC1393468) to learn more.[Rollout Schedule]Worldwide (General Availability - Standard Release): Beginning mid-June 2026 and expected to complete late June 2026Worldwide (General Availability - Deferred Release): Beginning mid-July 2026 and expected to complete late July 2026.Rollout occurs automatically; visibility depends on eligibility and admin configuration[Impact on your organization]Who is affectedMicrosoft 365 AdminsEnd users who accessed Copilot Cowork via the Frontier program prior to June 16, 2026Platforms/ServicesMicrosoft 365 Copilot app (web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)Microsoft 365 admin centerMicrosoft Edge (for browser-based workflows)Microsoft PurviewCopilot plugin ecosystemWhat will happenCopilot Cowork becomes generally availableUpdated UI and entry point for Copilot CoworkAccess to Copilot Cowork requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and usage-based billing enabledIf usage-based billing is not enabled, users won't be able to access or use Cowork. Admins can control the discoverability of Copilot Cowork and consumptive features (Copilot Settings> AI experiences enabled by usage-based billing)Usage is billed via Copilot CreditsA new Cost Management dashboard in the Microsoft 365 admin center gives admins visibility and control over billing configuration, spending policies, and usage reporting.[Action required / Recommendations] Navigate to the Cost Management Dashboard in the Microsoft 365 admin center and complete the following:1. Enable usage based billing Required for any user to access Copilot Cowork starting June 16, 2026 Without this, Frontier users lose access on July 1, 2026.2. Setup and configure spending controls• Estimate spend using Cowork Cost Estimator• Set hard spending caps at the tenant, group, or user level to prevent overspend• Scope access to specific services to limit exposure• Configure budget alerts to receive notifications before spend crosses a defined threshold3. Choose a purchasing option: pay-as-you-go ($0.01/credit, no commitment) for flexibility or Copilot Credits P3 (annual commitment, lowest per-credit rate) for predictability4. Monitor usage: Use built-in reporting and insights to track usage trends, identify cost drivers, and stay ahead of overages across your organization.See managing AI experiences enabled by usage-based billing for step-by-step setup guidance.Recommended:Communicate this change to helpdesk and 6/30 deadline to your end usersEstimate spend and review which users should have access to Copilot Cowork Update internal guidance for Copilot usage and cost governanceAdditional resources:Copilot Credits overviewCopilot Credit Licensing GuideCowork Estimator Cowork documentation[Compliance considerations]This service generates and stores customer data and supports the following capabilities: Purview eDiscovery, Data Retention, Purview Sensitivity Labels, Tenant Restrictions, Token Protection, Audit Logging, Customer Lockbox, Role-Based Access Control, Active-Active Hosting, Third Party Pentest Report, Customer Key, Data Export Capability, Incident Notification, Service Level Agreement.This service supports: Data Residency (Data At Rest).GPT-5.5 in Copilot Cowork available in Frontier respects EU Data Boundary commitmentsThis service provides a method of communication and supports the following capabilities: Information Barriers, Purview Communication Compliance.This service provides a method of communicating with generative AI and supports the following capabilities: Purview Communication Compliance.Customer administrators can control user access to this service using the following interfaces: Licensing, Admin center UI, PowerShell Cmdlet, Admins have user/group granularity for controlling access to the service, Users have opt-in or opt-out options for use of the service.