Short Version
Microsoft is introducing Researcher with Computer Use for deeper research and better outputs. Due from 30th October 2025, for organisations with Frontier access.

Details
Microsoft is introducing Researcher with Computer Use in Microsoft 365 Copilot. An extension that enables you to interact with public, gated, and interactive web content using a secure virtual computer. Basically, they claim deeper research and better outputs. The three points that jump out at me are: it can ask you for credentials to log into websites (you take control, then hand the activity back to Copilot), the virtual machine is isolated from your network and the internet, and Microsoft shares statistics to show that this option performs better than Researcher alone.

This is currently only available to organisations participating in the Microsoft Copilot Frontier Program – an early-access initiative that allows select users to test advanced Copilot AI.

Reading through Microsoft documentation for this feature, I found it challenging to distinguish functionality unique to Researcher with Computer use versus general Copilot and Researcher functionality they’re simply regurgitating. I suggest you start by watching the video below for a quick overview, and then read the supporting links to learn more.


Further Reading

  1. What is Researcher Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot? | Microsoft Learn
  2. Introducing Researcher with Computer Use in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Community Hub
  3. Researcher with Computer Use frequently asked questions | Microsoft Learn
  4. Researcher with Computer Use admin configuration | Microsoft Learn

Availability
Due from 30th October 2025, for organisations with Frontier access.

Source, related links, and references
MC1181726.
Image(s): Microsoft.
Discover what else is new for Copilot.

Page originally published
1st November 2025, and kept up to date.

Do you need to explain updates like this at work? Slide Deck members can download and use the latest Evergreen slides (the slides I use for my YouTube updates). Sign up for a free trial and cancel at any time.

Would you (and your colleagues) like to attend a live webinar covering this month’s updates? Monthly, free, just 55 minutes and more fun than it sounds! Sign up for the sessions I deliver with The Inform Team: Microsoft 365 Evergreen.

🎬 Are you, or your colleagues, struggling to get the most out of Copilot? On The Inform Team’s webinar You switched on Microsoft 365 Copilot. Now what? I discuss and demo no-prompt, easy ways that Copilot can help you without typing a single prompt. Watch and share here.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR