Microsoft is building a locally‑running “Claw” agent to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot for enterprises

At a glance:

• Microsoft is testing a locally‑running “Claw” agent for enterprise Microsoft 365 Copilot customers with tighter security.
• The feature would join existing tools such as Copilot Cowork (March) and Copilot Tasks (February) and may use Anthropic’s Claude model.
• Microsoft plans to showcase the Claw at Build 2026 in San Francisco (Oct 13‑15) as demand for Mac Mini devices rises.

The new agent and its ambitions

Microsoft has confirmed to The Information that it is building a locally‑executing “Claw” agent to extend the capabilities of its Microsoft 365 Copilot suite. The tool would run on a user’s PC or Mac, allowing it to perform actions autonomously without sending data to the cloud, and would be targeted at enterprise customers who need stronger security controls than the open‑source OpenClaw project provides. Executives say the agent is intended to be “always working,” able to chain together multistep tasks over extended periods, effectively turning the desktop into a proactive personal assistant.

Microsoft also plans to integrate the agent with its “Work IQ” layer, which personalizes the experience across Outlook, Teams, and other Office apps, and may tap Anthropic’s Claude model as one of several supported back‑ends. Early testing suggests the agent can handle tasks such as drafting documents, scheduling meetings, and managing email threads without user intervention, potentially freeing up significant workflow time.

How it builds on existing tools

Copilot Cowork, released in March, introduced a “Work IQ” layer that personalizes responses across Outlook, Teams, and other Office apps, moving beyond simple search or chat. The feature was powered in part by Anthropic’s Claude, which Microsoft added as an optional model alongside its own proprietary engines. While Cowork operates in the cloud, it demonstrated the ability to trigger actions such as creating meeting invites or pulling data from files on behalf of the user.

In February, Microsoft previewed Copilot Tasks, a more consumer‑focused agent that can organize email, schedule travel, and manage appointments, again using cloud‑based processing. The marketing material positioned Tasks as a “prosumer” tool, highlighting its ability to handle multi‑app workflows that extend beyond the traditional Office suite. Both Cowork and Tasks illustrate Microsoft’s broader push to embed AI agents that can autonomously complete real‑world tasks, a capability the new local Claw aims to expand and secure.

Market context and timing

The announcement comes amid a surge in demand for compact Mac Mini units, which have become the preferred hardware platform for users of the open‑source OpenClaw project, prompting manufacturers to increase inventory. Microsoft is expected to debut the Claw at its Build 2026 conference, scheduled for June in Seattle, with a follow‑up showcase in San Francisco from October 13‑15, 2026 as reported by The Verge. Industry analysts view the move as part of a larger race among tech giants to offer on‑device AI agents that can operate securely within corporate environments.

If the locally‑running Claw delivers on its promise of always‑on, multistep task automation with enterprise‑grade security, it could accelerate adoption of Microsoft 365 in regulated sectors such as finance and healthcare. The initiative also signals Microsoft’s intent to deepen its AI partnership ecosystem, potentially integrating more third‑party models like Claude while maintaining a proprietary security layer. Observers will watch the June Build demo closely for concrete timelines, pricing, and the extent to which the Claw will be limited to Windows machines versus broader device support.