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Microsoft 365 companions are a suite of apps designed to enhance productivity by providing quick access to people, files, and calendar- powered by the Microsoft Graph, directly from the Windows 11 taskbar. Get the suite of Microsoft 365 companion apps here:
Download Microsoft 365 companion apps
The suite includes:
- People companion: Find people in the organization (and others they have communicated with), pin close collaborators to accelerate workflows, and quickly learn about people in current meetings without disrupting workflow.
- Files companion: Find your Microsoft 365 files, preview file contents, share files with colleagues, and access recently used documents.
- Calendar companion: Access Microsoft 365 calendar, view upcoming events, join meetings, and search appointments directly from the taskbar.
These apps integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365, allowing users to efficiently look up contacts, locate files, manage schedules, and streamline workflows without disruptions.
Learn more about the companion apps in Get started with Microsoft 365 companions.
Set up the companion apps
Starting late October 2025, Windows 11 devices that have Microsoft 365 Apps will automatically install the companion apps as part of the update process. Installation happens silently in the background and does not interrupt users.
Alternate ways to set up the companion apps
To deploy the companion apps, we recommend using the Microsoft 365 App update process for the simplest experience.
If you prefer a phased rollout, you can manually deploy the apps across your organization. This approach is fully supported but requires a few additional steps compared to automatic deployment. You can switch to automatic deployment anytime.
- Download the Microsoft 365 companion apps installer.
- Distribute using your preferred tool: Microsoft Intune or a third-party software distribution solution.
Note
To prevent automatic installation of companion apps, in Microsoft 365 Apps admin center, go to Device Configuration and select Modern App settings. Choose Microsoft 365 companion apps, then uncheck Enable automatic installation of Microsoft 365 companion apps and Microsoft 365 Apps.
User experience
As an IT admin, you can ensure these apps are always in the same spot on the Windows taskbar by pinning them with the convenient Pin Copilot + Companions setting or by configuring manually using Configure taskbar pinning for Windows 11.
To deliver relevant results the moment users open the app, it’s recommended to set them as start-up apps. This can be managed per app through policy in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
Enabling the optimal experience
The Microsoft 365 companion apps rely on Exchange Online and SharePoint (OneDrive) Online services. Users in your organization must be assigned a commercial license that includes both of these products to use the companion apps. Otherwise, users will see a "License required” page. Review the following table for these specific service plan IDs.
| Service Plan Name | Service Plan Display Name | Part Number | Service Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Online (Plan 1) | Exchange Online (Plan 1) | EXCHANGE_S_STANDARD | 9aaf7827-d63c-4b61-89c3-182f06f82e5c |
| Exchange Online (Plan 2) | Exchange Online (Plan 2) | EXCHANGE_S_ENTERPRISE | efb87545-963c-4e0d-99df-69c6916d9eb0 |
| Exchange Online Kiosk | Exchange Online Kiosk | EXCHANGE_S_DESKLESS | 4a82b400-a79f-41a4-b4e2-e94f5787b113 |
| SharePoint (Plan 1) | SharePoint (Plan 1) | SHAREPOINTSTANDARD | c7699d2e-19aa-44de-8edf-1736da088ca1 |
| SharePoint (Plan 2) | SharePoint (Plan 2) | SHAREPOINTENTERPRISE | 5dbe027f-2339-4123-9542-606e4d348a72 |
| SharePoint Kiosk | SharePoint Kiosk | SHAREPOINTDESKLESS | 902b47e5-dcb2-4fdc-858b-c63a90a2bdb9 |
| SharePoint (Plan 1) for Education | SharePoint (Plan 1) for Education | SHAREPOINTSTANDARD_EDU | 0a4983bb-d3e5-4a09-95d8-b2d0127b3df5 |
| SharePoint (Plan 2) for Education | SharePoint (Plan 2) for Education | SHAREPOINTENTERPRISE_EDU | 63038b2c-28d0-45f6-bc36-33062963b498 |
Note
If Teams is not included in your plan, the companion apps will still be accessible; however, calling and instant messaging features in the People app will be disabled. Additionally, the Files app will not display files shared through chats and meetings, and access to Teams meetings and chats will be unavailable in the Calendar app.
Announcing the apps to your organization
Before deploying the companion apps, it's recommended to send out an announcement to your organization to set expectations, reduce confusion, and encourage adoption.
Users want these apps on their taskbar because:
- Instant access – Users can quickly find people, files, and calendar events—right from the Windows taskbar, without switching apps or losing context.
- Streamlined workflows – Pinning these apps makes it easier to collaborate, join meetings, and locate important files, saving time throughout the day.
- Personalization – Users can choose which apps to keep on their taskbar, pin favorites, and customize their experience.
Updates and support
Companion apps update frequently and seamlessly, delivering new features, improvements, and bug fixes without disrupting Word, Excel, or other core apps. The apps use a lightweight, self-contained update system, unlike Microsoft 365 apps that rely on Office update channels and might require scheduled rollouts or IT involvement.
To stay informed about the latest updates, refer to the Microsoft 365 Companion Apps documentation.
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Privacy and security
Keep in mind the following privacy and security considerations.
People
The People app syncs with your organization’s directory to keep employee information current, enforces stringent security measures to protect end‑user privacy, and allows users to connect with external contacts when they’ve previously interacted via Microsoft 365 services (for example, Teams or email).
Files
End users control their file visibility in Files companion. They can choose to share files, and aren't shared by default. Files stored in shared locations, such as Microsoft 365 team sites, are accessible to team members with the appropriate permissions.
Note
Files companion currently supports Microsoft 365 files only. Non-Microsoft files aren't included in search results.
Calendar
End users can view private events unless they choose to share them. End users control their calendar visibility through Outlook.