Microsoft is currently facing challenges with its product naming strategy, exemplified by its plans to create a Copilot key for Windows 11 PCs. The tech giant is contemplating a rebranding of its Microsoft 365 application to align with its Copilot branding initiative.
In a recent announcement via the Microsoft 365 message center, the company revealed intentions to rename Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot. Additionally, the branding for Microsoft Copilot—used by Entra account users—will be updated to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This rebranding will affect both the application name and its AI chat assistant service for enterprise users.
Microsoft has deemed this change “necessary,”citing that the existing naming conventions are somewhat perplexing. Their apparent solution is to integrate the “Copilot”label across every Enterprise product, which they may view as a brilliant strategy.
Furthermore, the URL for Microsoft 365 Copilot will be updated to M365Copilot.com, while requests to office.com and microsoft365.com will redirect to m365.cloud.microsoft. A refreshed icon for the app is also in development.
This new icon will maintain the Copilot design but will include the “M365” designation. These updates are scheduled to be implemented by mid-January 2025, which is fast approaching.
To summarize:
Microsoft 365 will transition to Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Microsoft Copilot (for Entra Account users) will be rebranded as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.
As noted in recent updates, the Copilot key will no longer directly launch the Copilot application; instead, it will redirect users to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
It’s important to understand that Microsoft 365 Copilot serves as a centralized platform for managing Microsoft 365, including the Copilot feature, although it’s not limited to Copilot alone. The Copilot application is not compatible with enterprise PCs, which is why the Copilot app will redirect to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
Admittedly confusing, right? Best of luck to enterprises as they try to clarify this for their clients.
Is This Change Really Necessary?
Microsoft has a history of changing product names frequently. Previously known as Bing Chat, the Copilot branding has now evolved into something new, and now the Microsoft 365 app is next in line for a name revision that emphasizes its Copilot features.
This rebranding initiative follows their recent proposal to alter the Copilot key’s functionality on enterprise PCs, directing it to open the Microsoft 365 app, which will automatically launch the Copilot assistant in a new tab. However, this name change may complicate matters unnecessarily for users with Entra accounts.
If users can already access Copilot within the 365 app, why make this adjustment? The Microsoft 365 app encompasses a wider range of Microsoft offerings beyond Copilot, which may be of lesser importance to enterprise users.
An alternative solution could have been allowing access to the Enterprise version of Copilot through a browser while keeping the Microsoft 365 app as a supplementary option. Renaming Copilot to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat could lead to confusion when trying to recall the name.
Ultimately, only time will reveal whether this situation will become as controversial as the decision to introduce the Copilot key.