Today we’re introducing Project Opal in Microsoft 365 Copilot – a new AI-powered capability that executes task-based work inside a secure, observable environment you control.
Every organization faces the challenge of repetitive, manual work – tasks that consume valuable time and take away from strategic priorities, creativity, and high-impact work. Consider the time it takes to gather information across multiple sites and tools for a compliance audit, onboarding new employees with equipment orders and system access, or validating purchase orders – all important tasks that need to get done, and the type of work that Opal is designed to do.
Our early preview customers are starting to use Opal to:
- Automate evidence collection for quarterly compliance audits—navigating required websites, capturing and organizing screenshots, and validating documentation. At Microsoft, engineers have saved up to 20 hours per week on audit tasks by delegating these steps to Project Opal.
- Streamline secure group membership requests by automating multi-step approval workflows.
- Simplify HR processes such as submitting timesheets and requesting holiday leave.
- Execute onboarding checklists by adding new employees to distribution lists, ordering devices, and notifying facilities—ensuring a smooth, consistent start for every new hire.
Let’s take a look at how Opal works.
Project Opal Experience
To access Project Opal, users open the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on desktop or web and select the Frontier module in the left rail. A new browser is opened where users can kick off a new job or see previous jobs that have been completed. To start a new job, users select 'New' and describe the work they want to get done and click 'Start'. Project Opal creates a plan, launches a secure Windows 365 Cloud PC, and uses an advanced reasoning model and computer use to complete the task. Users can view Project Opal's actions in the activity view, pause and take control at any time, and guide the work as needed. Users can update and adjust the task by entering in a new command or request in the conversation box and Opal processes the information and updates the plan accordingly.
Project Opal uses several capabilities to get work done:
- Task-First Experience: Project Opal puts tasks front and center. You can kick off new jobs, re-run previous ones, or select from curated suggestions. Every job is observable and steerable, so you’re always in control.
- Advanced Reasoning Model: The reasoning model turns your request into a dynamic plan, sequences the right tools, and adapts mid‑flow to complete the job.
- Computer-Use: Project Opal executes certain steps in the plan by using Microsoft Edge in a compliant Windows 365 for Agents Cloud PC. To use the browser, the reasoning model sends step-by-step instructions for computer use to click, type, and navigate in Microsoft Edge – just like a human user. It can only navigate to sites allowed by the organization, and the user can take control at any time. No screenshots are saved when the user is in control.
- Real-Time Observability: You can watch Project Opal work in real time or review its activity later. The job view includes a detailed plan, a live computer view (with the ability to replay everything that happened while Project Opal was in control), and an activity timeline that logs every action and user interaction.
- Steerability: If Project Opal encounters a step that needs your input – like entering sensitive information – it will let you know in the activity timeline or browser notifications (if you have them enabled) so that you can take control of the Windows 365 Cloud PC. Project Opal pauses, lets you intervene, and then resumes the work.
- Admin Controls & Security: Project Opal is opt-in and governed by granular admin controls. Organizations decide exactly what Project Opal can access via allow lists, configure scenario starters, and add context for better decision-making.
Security and Safety
Project Opal is built with enterprise-grade security, transparency, and control by default:
- Secure, Compliant Execution: Every job runs inside a dedicated, secure Windows 365 Cloud PC, which is Entra-joined and Intune-enrolled. All actions and messages sent or received by Project Opal are transparent to the user. Learn more about Windows 365 for Agents here.
- Oversight (Supervisor): A separate supervisor provides independent checks on the reasoning model – monitoring actions, enforcing guardrails, and prompting for human input when needed.
- User Control: The user can pause task execution at any time and can even take control of the Windows 365 Cloud PC. No screenshots are taken while you’re in control.
- Allow list: By default, Project Opal cannot access any sites; admins define exactly which domains are permitted by specifying an allow list that’s applied via Edge policies.
Admin Controls
Project Opal is opt-in and managed through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Other settings can be configured in the Project Opal Admin Portal:
- Deployment: Toggled off by default; admins must turn on Project Opal for their organization.
- Configuration: Admins set up a Windows 365 Cloud PC pool, define the website allow list, and customize scenario starters.
- Guidance: Organization-specific instructions and hints help Opal be more effective.
Getting Started
Project Opal is available via the Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed customers. It’s early and will change substantially - that’s by design. If your organization is willing to try out Project Opal in these early stages and help us shape the experience, we’d love for you to come build with us!
Learn more about how to get started:
- Admin Setup: For IT admins to set up and deploy Project Opal in their organization.
- User Support: For end users to leverage step-by-step guidance for the experience.
Join us at Microsoft Ignite
For anyone attending Microsoft Ignite in San Francisco or online, make sure to join in on the following:
- Watch our breakout session BRK280: Project Opal in Action: Executing Task-Based Work (both in-person and livestreamed) on Wednesday, November 19 at 1:30PM – 2:15PM PST
- Come talk live in-person with the Project Opal team to ask your questions and see it in action at the Agent 365 & Project Opal Expert Meet Up in Moscone North/South Exhibit Level at the Hub
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