Microsoft has announced a big Copilot update with three new pieces: Home, Code, and Autopilot. Most of it is early access only right now, so almost nobody needs to do anything today. The useful part is knowing what’s coming, so it doesn’t catch you off guard when it lands in your business.
3
new pieces: Home, Code and Autopilot
25 Sep 2026
when Microsoft announced the update
Early access
for now, so it isn’t switched on for everyone yet
Microsoft releases big Copilot updates in batches, and people in the industry call each batch a “wave.” The last one Microsoft officially called Wave 3 arrived in March 2026. This new batch, announced on 25 September, is what many people are now calling Wave 4. Microsoft’s own announcement just calls it “the new Copilot,” so if you search for that name instead, you’ll find the same thing.
Put simply, Copilot used to be something you chatted with. This update is about Copilot doing things for you, and doing them more on its own.
Home
The front door
One starting place for everything. You ask for something, and Copilot works out whether it’s a quick question or a bigger job to hand off. Word, Excel and PowerPoint files can also be created and edited right there.
Code
Build things in plain English
Describe a small app, report or automation in everyday words, and Copilot builds it for you. No programming knowledge needed. It’s built on the same technology as GitHub Copilot.
Autopilot
The one that works alone
A helper that keeps working on a task even when you’ve logged off, like an assistant who finishes the job overnight. It replaces an earlier tool called Scout.
Probably not, and that’s fine. Home and Code are rolling out gradually, starting with a small group of early-access customers. Autopilot is in private preview, which is even narrower. Microsoft hasn’t announced a date when any of this reaches every business.
If we manage your Microsoft 365 for you, there’s nothing you need to do. We’re keeping an eye on the rollout, and you’re welcome to ask us any time when these features are likely to reach your business. If we don’t look after your Microsoft setup yet, get in touch and we can talk it through.
Chatting with Copilot and using it inside your Office apps is covered by the licence you already have. The newer “do the work for me” features are different. Reports so far suggest they use up Copilot credits, which are a kind of usage allowance, rather than being free with the licence. Microsoft’s announcement didn’t include any pricing, so treat that as unconfirmed until it does.
Autopilot is also reportedly able to work with files and run tasks on a computer, not just inside a chat window. That’s powerful, and it’s exactly why a business should decide who gets access and what it’s allowed to touch before it arrives, not after.
A new AI feature being announced is not the same as it being ready for your business. Let the early adopters find the rough edges first, and use the time to get your rules and licensing in order.
Technicalities can check what Copilot licensing you have today, set up sensible AI rules for your team, and let you know when something is actually ready to switch on.
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