Posted inMicrosoft 365 apps

MC1483844: Microsoft Copilot Adds GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 Models Across Microsoft 365 Apps

5 minutesPosted inMicrosoft 365 apps
MWPRO IMPACT SCORE
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
61
0 25 50 75 100
HIGH IMPACT • REVIEW RECOMMENDED
Recommended Action:
Review the update and plan any required actions before rollout.
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Primary Audience

Tenant AdminsMicrosoft 365 AdminsTeams AdminsIT ManagersService Owners
Why this score?
AI Confidence
HIGH
Enough detail is available to trust this assessment.
Assessment Reasoning
This announcement introduces the rollout of new GPT‑6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 models in Microsoft Copilot experiences. Admins may need to review subprocessor settings for OpenAI and Anthropic, validate configuration and communicate model options to users. End users will see new selectable AI models in Copilot tools, but normal usage continues without disruption. Rollout is active, requiring awareness and moderate planning effort from admin teams.
65
🛡️ Admin Impact
HIGH
55
👥 User Impact
HIGH
60
⚡ Urgency
HIGH
55
🔧 Effort
HIGH
ℹ️ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
📌

AT A GLANCE

Microsoft Copilot now includes GPT‑6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5, giving users more model options. These models are rolling out across Copilot Studio, Cowork, and Microsoft 365 apps.
👥

END USERS

Users may see new model choices in Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Chat.
🛡️

IT ADMINS

Check whether the OpenAI and Anthropic subprocessors are enabled before making these models available to users and update internal guidance.
📅

ROLLOUT TIMELINE

Rolling out:
From September 2026

📢 Official Microsoft Message Center Announcement

Microsoft Copilot: GPT 6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 beginning to roll out today
Message ID: MC1483844 (Updated)

[What and Why:]

To give users more choice and flexibility when working with AI in Microsoft Copilot, we’re expanding the set of AI models available in Microsoft Copilot.

Starting today, GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 begin rolling out with usage-based billing in Cowork and Microsoft Copilot Studio.

GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 will also begin rolling out in phases across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Chat in the coming week as part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot user subscription license (USL). Limits apply to these models, but they are designed to support broad day-to-day AI usage across organizations and are implemented in such a way that the vast majority of users are not expected to reach them. Users approaching a limit will receive in-product notifications and can continue their work by switching to Auto mode or selecting another available model. 

[Rollout Schedule:]

  • General Availability:
  • Cowork and Copilot Studio: Rollout begins today, September 30, 2026.
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Chat: Phased rollout begins in the coming week. 

[Impact on Your Organization:

Who is affected:

  • Cowork and Copilot Studio: Users assigned a user subscription license (USL) with usage-based billing (UBB) enabled.
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Chat: Users assigned a user subscription license (USL).
  • Access to Claude Sonnet 5.5 additionally requires the Anthropic subprocessor to be enabled in your organization.
  • Access to GPT-6.1 Sol additionally requires the OpenAI subprocessor to be enabled in your organization for select surfaces.

Platforms/Services:

  • (USL) Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
  • (USL) Microsoft Word
  • (USL) Microsoft Excel
  • (USL) Microsoft PowerPoint
  • (UBB) Copilot Cowork
  • (UBB) Microsoft Copilot Studio

What will happen:

  • Users will be able to select GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 using the model selector from supported Microsoft Copilot experiences.
  • The feature is enabled by default for eligible licensed users who meet the applicable configuration requirements.

[Action Required / Recommendations:]

No action is required for organizations that want users to access these models.

Recommended actions:

  • Review whether the Anthropic subprocessor is enabled if you plan to make Claude Sonnet 5.5 available to users.
  • Review whether the OpenAI subprocessor is enabled if you plan to make GPT-6.1 Sol broadly available to users. If disabled, GPT-6.1 Sol may not be available from all supported Copilot surfaces.
  • Review your organization’s AI usage guidance and communicate model availability to end users.
  • Inform helpdesk and support teams that users may encounter usage-limit notifications and can continue working using Auto mode or another available model.
  • Review the announcement blog for additional details: Available today: OpenAI’s GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 in Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft Community Hub.
  • Update internal user documentation and training materials, as appropriate.

[Compliance Considerations:]

Consideration Explanation 
Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5 are additional AI models that users can select within Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences to generate responses based on content and context available to the user through Copilot. 
Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? Users gain access to new model choices, GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Sonnet 5.5, in supported Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences. 
Does the change include an admin control and can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership? Access to Claude Sonnet 5.5 depends on administrative configuration of the Anthropic subprocessor. 

Source: Microsoft Message Center • Analysed by MWPro

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