Technical readiness — channels and licences
You'll be able to Choose a supported update channel for Copilot and explain why Semi-Annual is excluded.
Copilot needs a fast channel
Microsoft 365 Apps must run on the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel to use Copilot — every channel except Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. Current gives newest features fastest; Monthly Enterprise is more predictable.
Channel choice
Newest features as soon as they're ready. Best fit for a fast-moving product like Copilot.
Predictable monthly release. Good if you want to validate before wider release.
Not supported for Copilot. (Note: from July 2026 Semi-Annual moves to monthly servicing — re-verify.)
Check what you know
Which update channel is NOT supported for Copilot today?
Copilot needs Current or Monthly Enterprise Channel — not Semi-Annual.
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Identity and access foundations
You'll be able to Explain how Copilot uses Conditional Access and MFA, and what to prepare in Microsoft Entra.
Copilot honours your access controls
Copilot honours Conditional Access policies and multifactor authentication. It uses the same MFA and CA you configure for the tenant. Use Microsoft Entra security groups to target Copilot users — the same groups you use for channel and licence assignment.
Identity checklist
- Security groups — create an Entra group for your Copilot cohort.
- MFA — require multifactor authentication for users.
- Conditional Access — review tenant-level policies so users can still reach Microsoft 365 services.
Check what you know
How does Copilot treat your existing Conditional Access and MFA?
Copilot rides your existing Entra identity, MFA and Conditional Access — prepare the groups.
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People readiness
You'll be able to Identify what to check about people — baseline digital skill and likely champions — before go-live.
Ready people, not just ready tech
Microsoft's framework is people-first. Before go-live, gauge baseline digital skill, find heavy Microsoft 365 users to start with, and spot the likely champions who will help peers.
The readiness report helps
The Microsoft 365 Copilot readiness report in the admin center highlights users who could benefit most, based on day-to-day Microsoft 365 activity.
Check what you know
What does 'people readiness' ask you to assess?
Check people, not just plumbing: baseline skill and who will champion it.
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Security and compliance posture
You'll be able to Name the baseline security measures to have in place as part of AI readiness.
Security baseline
- MFA — enabled for all users.
- Unified audit logging — turned on in Purview.
- Conditional Access — reviewed and scoped to Microsoft 365 services.
- Regulatory obligations — checked as part of the foundation, not after.
Check what you know
Which belongs in the AI-readiness security baseline?
Baseline posture: MFA on, audit logging on, Conditional Access reviewed.
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Acceptable-use and AI policy
You'll be able to Explain why an acceptable-use policy matters and what expectations it should set.
Set expectations in writing
Tell staff what they may and may not do with Copilot, and set realistic expectations of what it can and cannot do. Copilot can be wrong; outputs need a human review. Make that explicit.
Check what you know
What is one job of an acceptable-use policy for Copilot?
A short AUP sets expectations and makes 'review the output' a rule.
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Readiness checklist and pilot environment
You'll be able to List what a go-live readiness checklist and pilot environment should include.
Microsoft's readiness activities
- Test environment — validate configurations and scenarios.
- Pilot group — a select cohort to find issues and gather feedback.
- Communication plan — tell users what's changing and where to get help.
- Policy review — Conditional Access and SharePoint/SAM policies confirmed.
Check what you know
Which item belongs on the readiness checklist?
Go live behind a checklist: test env, pilot group, comms plan, policies confirmed.
Sources for this bite
Sources & notes
Everything here traces to Microsoft Learn, retrieved June 2026.
Microsoft Learn sources used in this stage
- Set up Microsoft 365 Copilot and assign licenses
- Change update channel of Microsoft 365 Apps to enable Copilot
- Copilot honors Conditional Access and MFA (architecture)
- License options for Microsoft 365 Copilot
- MS-4007: Drive enablement of Microsoft 365 Copilot (user enablement framework)
- Microsoft 365 Copilot readiness report (admin center)
- Configure a secure and governed foundation for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Accuracy flags
- Update channels change July 2026 (Semi-Annual moves to monthly servicing). Re-verify channel guidance at build time.