Agent update
Scheduled prompts for agents
From 1 Jul 2026, you can schedule recurring prompts to declarative agents such as Analyst and Idea Coach in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, on Windows, Mac and the web, instead of starting each run by hand.
How to use scheduled prompts for small business
A bookkeeper could schedule Analyst to compile a weekly performance snapshot from the usual workbook every Friday, then review the result before sharing it. A practice manager could set a Monday prompt that drafts a short operations briefing, including licences or renewals coming up. A marketing coordinator could run a recurring prompt that asks for a campaign results summary, then edit it before it goes to the owner.
The release notes say this replaces the need to start each interaction manually, and they list Windows, Mac and the web (roadmap ID 531759). They do not, in that entry, spell out a licence beyond Microsoft 365 Copilot, a price, or country availability. Later Microsoft documentation also describes scheduled prompts inside Copilot Cowork, including approval before a schedule is activated, but that is a separate help article. If you cannot see scheduling in the Copilot app, your admin or licence may not include it yet.
Most useful for: Data Analyst – Analyse trends, answer the business question and build the report or dashboard, Management Accountant – Prepare monthly management accounts and KPI reports, Operations Manager – Track performance across sites or the floor
Frequently asked questions
Which agents can I schedule, and where does this run?
The 1 Jul 2026 release notes name declarative agents such as Analyst and Idea Coach, and say "and more." They list Windows, Mac and the web (roadmap ID 531759). They do not publish a full list, a separate price, or a plan name beyond the Microsoft 365 Copilot release.
Will a scheduled prompt email clients or change files without me noticing?
The July release note does not describe approval or sending behaviour in detail. Microsoft's later Cowork help says Cowork confirms a schedule and asks for approval before activating it, and that you can edit, pause or cancel scheduled prompts. Treat unattended sending as something to check in the product, not as a promise from the short release note.
What does scheduling replace?
The release notes say this replaces the need to start each interaction manually. If you cannot see scheduling in the Copilot app, your admin or licence may not include it yet.