Microsoft 365 Copilot: Retirement of the Skills agent from Frontier

Originally posted by Microsoft Mar 4, 2026 Uncategorized 0 Comments

The Skills agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot will retire by the end of March 2026, with removal from new installations by March 16, 2026. Skills data is now integrated directly in Copilot and available via the Learning and Workforce Insights agents. Users should transition and reconfigure delegation accordingly.

We are retiring the Skills agent (currently in Frontier) in Microsoft 365 Copilot as part of an evolution to streamline the Copilot experience.

Skills data and capabilities are now available directly in Microsoft 365 Copilot and through two agents available now in Frontier: the Learning agent and the Workforce Insights agent.
Frontier agents help us learn what users value most and how they want to experience M365 Copilot. Skills agent feedback provided by Frontier customers has directly shaped our broader approach to improving people experiences in Copilot. Integrating current skills capabilities directly into Copilot, the Learning agent, and the Workforce Insights agent, gives organizations consistent access to skills data while supporting broader scenarios for employees and leaders. 

 When this will happen

• Skills data is already available for people-based queries in M365 Copilot. The Learning agent and Workforce Insights agent are available now for testing through the Frontier program.
• The Skills agent will be removed from the agent store for new installations on March 16, 2026.
• The Skills agent will be fully retired at the end of March 2026, at which point existing users will lose access.

How this affects your organization

Who is affected

• Organizations currently using the Skills agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot through the Frontier program.
• Leaders who previously used the Skills agent for organization-wide skills insights or delegated access.

What will happen

• The Skills agent will no longer be available for installation after March 16, 2026.
• Existing users will lose access when the retirement is complete at the end of March 2026.
• Skills-based experiences will continue through:
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot, which now surfaces skills and people discovery through natural, chat-based queries.
  • Learning agent, which provides personalized skill-based learning paths and recommendations.
  • Workforce Insights agent, which provides organizational insights including team structure, skills mix, and talent visibility.
• Delegation settings previously configured in the Skills agent will not carry over and must be reconfigured in the Workforce Insights agent.

What you can do to prepare

• Begin transitioning your users from the Skills agent to Microsoft 365 Copilot, the Learning agent, or the Workforce Insights agent before March 16, 2026.
• If leaders in your organization relied on delegation within the Skills agent, reconfigure delegation in the Workforce Insights agent. Manage delegation: Manage delegation policies – Workforce Insights agent
• Review internal documentation and update any references to the Skills agent.
• Visit the Agents in Microsoft 365 Adoption site and the Ignite 2025 announcement blog for the latest information about the new Copilot agents.

Learn more:

• Agents in Microsoft 365 | AI Agents Hub | Microsoft Adoption
• Frontier program – Microsoft Adoption 
• Introducing new Microsoft 365 Copilot agents to drive workforce transformation | Microsoft 365 Copilot Blog
• Manage delegation policies – Workforce Insights agent | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

Message ID: MC1243548