Note: These capabilities are currently rolling out, and users might not have access to them yet.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in Outlook now supports shared mailboxes and delegated mailboxes. Users with access to a shared or delegated mailbox can use Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat directly while working in that mailbox, without changing accounts or adding mailbox-specific prompt text.
This article explains what’s available today, how Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat behaves with shared access, and what features are coming soon.
For information on how Shared Mailbox users and Delegates can use the Copilot chat app, please go to Use Copilot in shared mailboxes and delegate mailboxes.
How it works:
When you work in a shared or delegated mailbox in Outlook:
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Use Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in Outlook directly from the shared mailbox instead of switching back to your primary mailbox.
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Summarize and Draft work for all shared and delegated mailboxes.
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A special prompt syntax is not required, meaning you don’t need to include phrases like “in @domain.com.” You can ask questions as if the mailbox were your own.
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Folder-level permissions are supported along with Full Access permission, so users can access Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in Outlook based on the folders they’re allowed to view.
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Conversation history is saved to your primary account, ensuring there’s no cross-contamination between users who access Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat from the same shared mailbox.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat respects existing Outlook permissions. What Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat can access and respond to depends on the mailbox and folder permissions granted to the user. Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat does not elevate access or expose content beyond what the user is already permitted to view.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat conversations started from a shared mailbox are still associated with the user’s primary account. Other users accessing the same shared mailbox will not see each other’s Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat conversation history.
Get started with shared mailboxes in Outlook
If you’re new to shared mailboxes or want to manage your settings, please go to the article Open and use a shared mailbox in Outlook.
This article walks through adding shared mailboxes, managing permissions, and configuring how shared mailboxes appear in Outlook.
What doesn't work yet
Some Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat capabilities are not available yet when working in shared or delegated mailboxes. These features are planned for future updates.
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Microsoft 365 Copilot ChatCapabilities in Outlook |
Current Status |
Planned Availability |
|---|---|---|
|
Email triage using Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat like marking emails as read/unread, deleting emails, categorizing emails, pinning, flagging, or applying mailbox rules |
Not supported |
Coming soon |
|
Sending emails on your behalf |
Not supported |
Coming soon |
|
Calendar insights (for example, listing events) |
Not supported |
Coming soon |
|
Scheduling or updating meetings |
Not supported |
Coming soon |
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat can still help you understand, summarize, and draft content, but it can’t take direct actions yet or manage calendar items in shared or delegated mailboxes.
What admins should know
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No additional configuration is required to enable Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat for shared or delegated mailboxes.
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Existing mailbox and folder permissions determine Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat access.
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Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat conversation history remains tied to each user’s primary account.
Consider updating internal documentation or training materials to reflect these new Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat capabilities.
