MC1515940 - Microsoft OneDrive: Copilot actions in the File Explorer context menu are being retired
Microsoft 365 Message Center announcement MC1515940.
MS Message Center's Summary
Microsoft is retiring specific OneDrive Copilot actions from the File Explorer context menu between mid November and early December 2026. Affected actions include summarize and compare files. Users can still access these features using alternative methods such as right clicking to ask Copilot or using the activity centre. Administrators should update internal help documentation and inform staff of the new workflow.
- Administrator impact
- No direct administrator action is required.
- End user impact
- Specific Copilot actions will disappear from the File Explorer context menu, requiring users to use alternative menus for file interactions.
- Importance
- 3/10: This is a routine service change that removes minor features with alternative paths available and needs internal documentation updates.
Microsoft Summary
Microsoft is retiring several OneDrive Copilot actions from the File Explorer context menu by early December 2026, simplifying usage. Users can still access Copilot features via right-click "Ask Copilot," the File Explorer Home icon, or the OneDrive activity center. No admin action is needed.
- Message Center ID
- MC1515940
- Category
- plan For Change
- Severity
- normal
- Services
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Tags
- User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
- Published
- 2026-10-19
- Last updated
- 2026-10-19
- Expires
- 2027-01-01
[What and why] We're simplifying how people use Copilot with their OneDrive files in File Explorer. As part of this change, we're retiring the OneDrive Copilot Summarize , Create FAQ , Compare Files , Ask a question, Explain image, Explain images, Compare images, Extract text actions from the File Explorer context menu. Users can continue to work with their OneDrive files in Copilot from one central place by right-clicking a file and selecting Ask Copilot , or by hovering over a file in File Explorer Home and selecting the Copilot icon. The OneDrive Copilot actions will also remain available in the OneDrive activity center. [Rollout schedule] General Availability (Worldwide): Retirement will begin in mid-November 2026 and is expected to complete by early December 2026. [Impact on your organization] Who is affected Users who use Copilot with OneDrive files in File Explorer. Platforms and services OneDrive Copilot File Explorer What will happen The OneDrive Copilot Summarize , Create FAQ , Compare Files , Ask a question, Explain image, Explain images, Compare images, and Extract text actions will be retired from the File Explorer context menu. The OneDrive Copilot actions will remain available in the OneDrive activity center. Users can either right-click a OneDrive file and select Ask Copilot or hover over a file in File Explorer Home and select the Copilot icon to open a new Copilot conversation with the file attached. Files are attached by reference, so their existing permissions and protections continue to apply. Simplified Copilot experience for OneDrive files in File Explorer Retired context menu actions for OneDrive files in File Explorer [Action required and recommendations] No administrative action is required. We recommend that you notify users about this change and update any training or help desk documentation that references the retiring File Explorer context menu actions.