Microsoft is introducing Researcher with Computer Use, an updated feature for Microsoft 365 Copilot that leverages Windows Sandbox technology to let Copilot conduct deeper, more secure research. The feature enables Copilot to operate within a fully isolated virtual environment, including a browser, terminal, and text interface, allowing it to interact with content behind authentication gates, test code, and perform multi-step web tasks without affecting the user’s main system. The sandbox, first introduced in Windows 10 Pro, ensures that all actions are contained, disappearing when the session ends, while still allowing Copilot to inspect files and execute commands safely.
The new system emphasizes transparency and user control. As Copilot navigates the sandbox, it visually displays its actions through a “chain of thought” interface, with screenshots showing each step. Users can intervene at any point or provide credentials via a secure screen-sharing connection if Copilot encounters protected resources. Microsoft notes that this setup is primarily for research and code testing, though it also provides the added benefit of safer interaction with untrusted content.
Security and organizational controls are built in. By default, users won’t have access to sensitive internal data unless explicitly allowed by administrators. IT teams can configure which data sources Researcher can access, and Copilot always asks for user confirmation before taking any action or logging into external websites. Performance-wise, the new feature shows measurable improvement: on BrowseComp, a benchmark tracking complex browsing and research tasks, Researcher with Computer Use scored 44 percent higher than its predecessor. This update marks a significant step in Microsoft’s efforts to combine AI-driven research capabilities with secure, user-controlled computing.