Default enablement of Copilot models for CB/CE [GA] (#62375)

Co-authored-by: Copilot Autofix powered by AI <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Laura Coursen <lecoursen@github.com>

Author: 3 people

content/copilot/concepts/index.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ children:
   - /policies
   - /mcp-management
   - /network-settings
-  - /preparing-for-new-features-and-models
+  - /learning-about-new-features-and-models
 contentType: concepts
 ---
 

…preparing-for-new-features-and-models.md …earning-about-new-features-and-models.mdcontent/copilot/concepts/preparing-for-new-features-and-models.md renamed to content/copilot/concepts/learning-about-new-features-and-models.md content/copilot/concepts/preparing-for-new-features-and-models.md renamed to content/copilot/concepts/learning-about-new-features-and-models.md

@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 ---
-title: Preparing for new features and models
+title: Learning about new features and models
 shortTitle: New features and models
-intro: 'Stay informed about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} features and models, and make confident decisions about enabling them for your enterprise.'
+intro: Stay informed about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} features and models, and make confident decisions about enabling them for your enterprise.
 versions:
   feature: copilot
 contentType: concepts
 category:
   - Learn about Copilot
+redirect_from:
+  - /copilot/concepts/preparing-for-new-features-and-models
 ---
 
 {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is evolving rapidly, with new features and models released regularly. If you're an enterprise administrator, staying informed helps you make confident decisions about which capabilities to enable, when to adopt them, and how to manage risk across your organizations.
@@ -54,6 +56,10 @@ You can find information about the models available and upcoming models in the f
 * **Model comparison**: To compare model capabilities side by side, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/reference/ai-models/model-comparison).
 * **Changelog**: Model updates are announced in the [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} changelog](https://github.blog/changelog/label/copilot/).
 
+#### Default enablement
+
+{% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement %}
+
 #### Special categories
 
 {% data variables.product.company_short %} categorizes certain types of model, allowing you to plan for model transitions and set user expectations.

content/copilot/concepts/models/default-availability.md

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+---
+title: About default availability of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models
+shortTitle: Default availability
+intro: A policy controls whether unconfigured models default to enabled or disabled.
+product: '{% data variables.copilot.copilot_business_short %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %}'
+versions:
+  feature: copilot
+contentType: concepts
+category:
+  - Learn about Copilot
+  - Manage Copilot for a team
+redirect_from:
+  - /copilot/concepts/models/automatic-enablement
+---
+
+On {% data variables.copilot.copilot_business_short %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %} plans, the **Default availability for released models** policy will control whether unconfigured generally available (GA) models default to enabled or disabled. If this policy is enabled, users will benefit from the latest models without the need for administrator intervention.
+
+<!-- expires 2026-08-26 -->
+
+To give you time to prepare, this policy can be configured but **does not currently affect model availability**. On August 26, 2026, new GA models and existing unconfigured GA models will automatically follow the default set in the policy. These are models that you have not explicitly chosen a setting for. They will be labeled as "inherits default" in the UI.
+
+To prepare for this change, you can disable the policy or explicitly disable models you don't want to be enabled.
+
+<!-- end expires 2026-08-26 -->
+
+## Which models follow the policy?
+
+{% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement-excluded-models %}
+
+## How do I prevent default enablement?
+
+To disable default enablement entirely, disable the **Default availability for released models** policy in your enterprise or organization's models policies. You can set a policy for the entire enterprise, or disable the policy only in organizations with stricter compliance requirements.
+
+If you keep the **Default availability for released models** policy enabled, you can explicitly disable individual models so that they are not eligible for automatic enablement.
+
+For instructions on managing model policies, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-enterprise/manage-availability-of-default-models) and [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-organization/manage-default-models).
+
+## How do I prepare for new models?
+
+We recommend keeping up with new model releases so you can choose your enablement settings for each one. New models are announced on {% data variables.product.github %}'s changelog. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/preparing-for-new-features-and-models#learning-about-new-copilot-models).

content/copilot/concepts/models/index.md

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ versions:
   feature: copilot
 contentType: concepts
 children:
+  - /default-availability
   - /bring-your-own-key
   - /utility-models
   - /auto-model-selection

content/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-enterprise/enable-custom-models.md

@@ -40,8 +40,7 @@ You can choose whether the models you have added are available to organizations
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.access-enterprise %}
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.ai-controls-tab %}
 1. In the sidebar, click **{% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}**.
-1. Click **Configure allowed models**.
-1. Click the **Custom models** tab.
+1. Click **Configure custom models**.
 1. Above the list of API keys, click the **Added models** tab.
 1. Next to a model, click **Configure**. If any organizations already have access to the model, instead of "Configure", you will need to click **All organizations** or **X organizations**.
 1. In the modal that opens, click the **Access** tab.

content/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-enterprise/manage-availability-of-default-models.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-title: Managing availability of default models
+title: Managing availability of models in your enterprise
 shortTitle: Manage model availability
 intro: 'You can control which {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models are available to specific organizations.'
 versions:
@@ -10,45 +10,35 @@ product: '{% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %} or {% data varia
 allowTitleToDifferFromFilename: true
 ---
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> Managing availability of default models for organizations is in public preview and subject to change.
+## About managing model availability
 
-## About managing default model availability
+As an enterprise owner, you can manage which {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models are available to organizations within your enterprise. For each model, you can choose whether it is automatically enabled for all organizations or whether individual organizations can choose to enable it.
 
-As an enterprise owner, you can manage which default {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models are available to organizations within your enterprise. For each model, you can choose whether it is automatically enabled for all organizations or whether individual organizations can choose to enable it.
+> [!IMPORTANT] {% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement %}
 
-## Choosing which models are available
+## Navigating to your model policies
 
-You can choose which default models from {% data variables.product.github %} are available to organizations in your enterprise.
+From the model configuration page, you can enable or disable specific models. You can also configure the **Default availability for released models** policy to choose the default status of unconfigured models.
 
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.access-enterprise %}
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.ai-controls-tab %}
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.copilot-sidebar %}
 {% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.configure-allowed-models %}
-1. Above the list of models, click **Add models**.
-1. In the modal, select or deselect the checkboxes next to the models you want to make available or remove.
-1. Click **Save**.
 
-## Setting organization availability for a model
+## Enabling or disabling models
 
-You can control whether a model is automatically enabled for all organizations or whether organizations can choose to enable it themselves.
+You should explicitly configure all models for which you want to set a policy. Any models that are not in your models list, or that are set to **Optional** and not explicitly configured by organization owners, will inherit the default specified in the **Default availability for released models** policy.
 
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.access-enterprise %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.ai-controls-tab %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.copilot-sidebar %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.configure-allowed-models %}
-1. In the "Default models" tab, next to a model, click the dropdown menu and select an availability option:
-   * **Enabled**: The model is enabled for all organizations in your enterprise.
-   * **Optional**: Organizations can choose whether to enable the model.
+Select a status for each model in the list:
+
+* **Enabled**: Enabled for everyone, cannot be disabled by organizations.
+* **Disabled**: Explicitly disabled for everyone, cannot be enabled by organizations.
+* **Optional**: Organizations can choose whether to enable or disable it. If left unconfigured by an organization, defaults to enabled or disabled depending on the organization's **Default availability for released models** policy setting.
 
-## Creating targeted model rules
+## Granting access to specific organizations
 
 Targeted model rules let you control exactly which models are available to specific organizations, giving you more granular control than the enterprise-wide availability settings.
 
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.access-enterprise %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.ai-controls-tab %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.copilot-sidebar %}
-{% data reusables.enterprise-accounts.configure-allowed-models %}
 1. In the "Targeted model rules" section, click **Create access rule**.
 1. Next to "Target organizations", click **Add organizations**, then select the organizations you want the rule to apply to.
 1. Under "Allowed models", click **Add models**, then select the models you want to make available to the selected organizations and click **Save**.

content/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-organization/manage-default-models.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-title: Managing default models
+title: Managing the availability of models in an organization
 shortTitle: Manage default models
 intro: 'Configure which default {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models are available to members of your organization.'
 permissions: Organization owners
@@ -12,18 +12,22 @@ category:
 allowTitleToDifferFromFilename: true
 ---
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> Managing default models at the organization level is in public preview and subject to change.
-
 ## Which models can I configure?
 
 If your organization is part of an enterprise, the enterprise owner controls which {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models are available and how they can be configured at the organization level.
 
+<!-- expires 2026-08-26 -->
+<!-- unconfigured label will no longer exist -->
+
 When viewing the model settings for your organization, you may see the following statuses:
 
 * **Enabled** or **Disabled** with a {% octicon "shield" aria-label="shield" %} icon: The enterprise owner has enforced this setting. You cannot change the availability of this model.
 * **Enabled**, **Disabled**, or **Unconfigured** in a dropdown menu: The enterprise owner has made this model optional. You can configure the availability for your organization.
 
+> [!IMPORTANT] {% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement %}
+
+<!-- end expires 2026-08-26 -->
+
 ## Configuring model availability for your organization
 
 If the enterprise owner has set a model to **Optional**, you can enable or disable it for your organization.
@@ -36,6 +40,8 @@ If the enterprise owner has set a model to **Optional**, you can enable or disab
    * **Enabled**: The model is available to members of your organization.
    * **Disabled**: The model is not available to members of your organization.
 
+On this page, you can also configure the **Default availability for released models** policy to choose the default setting for unconfigured models.
+
 ## Further reading
 
 * [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/reference/supported-surfaces-for-policies)

content/copilot/reference/ai-models/supported-models.md

@@ -201,6 +201,12 @@ Utility models power background features across surfaces, and cannot be disabled
 
 {% data reusables.copilot.utility-models %}
 
+## Models eligible for default enablement
+
+{% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement %}
+
+{% data reusables.copilot.model-autoenablement-excluded-models %}
+
 ## Next steps
 
 * To get up and running with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/get-started/quickstart).

content/copilot/tutorials/roll-out-at-scale/govern-at-scale/govern-for-adoption.md

@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ Developers get the most value from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_sh
 
 Consider enabling vetted capabilities promptly, rather than disabling features by default and enabling them only after review:
 
-* **Enable new features and models as they become available**, unless you have a specific compliance reason not to. {% data variables.product.github %} vets all features and models before release.
+* **Enable new features as they become available**, unless you have a specific compliance reason not to. {% data variables.product.github %} vets all features and models before release.
+* **Enable new models automatically**. By default, most new generally available models are enabled automatically. We recommend keeping the **Default availability for released models** policy enabled and only explicitly disabling individual models that you do not want to be available.
 * **Only set enterprise-level defaults to disabled for non-negotiables**, such as compliance-critical controls or features that conflict with regulatory requirements.
 * **Scope restrictions to sensitive organizations**. Rather than blocking features enterprise-wide, disable them only in organizations with stricter compliance requirements. This lets other organizations move faster.
 

data/reusables/copilot/model-autoenablement-excluded-models.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<!-- expires 2026-08-26 -->
+
+New and existing unconfigured models will follow the default set in the policy. Unconfigured models are:
+
+<!-- end expires 2026-08-26 -->
+
+* At the enterprise level, models that have not been added to the models list on the models configuration page.
+* At the organization level, models that have been made "optional" by an enterprise administrator, and that an organization owner has not explicitly enabled or disabled.
+
+When a new model is released, it is unconfigured by default.
+
+The following models are **not** eligible for default enablement, regardless of whether they are new or existing:
+
+* Models that have been explicitly disabled
+* Pre-GA models
+* Open weight models (DeepSeek, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_kimi_k27_code %})
+* Models that are not covered by {% data variables.product.company_short %}'s data retention agreement ({% data variables.copilot.copilot_claude_fable_5 %})
+* For enterprises that have restricted models to data-resident or FedRAMP-compliant models, any models that do not respect these policies