Authored by: Ciaran Reynolds
Dynamics Consultant
Microsoft’s Power Platform and Copilot Wave Release 2026 Wave 1 sends a clear message AI is moving from helpful to genuinely transformative.
In our recent mhance webinar, we explored the standout updates across Power Automate Dataverse Power Apps Copilot Studio Power Pages and governance tooling focusing on what actually matters for customers not just what is new.
This session and summary highlight a selection of key updates from the Wave Release. Microsoft has announced hundreds of new and enhanced features across the Power Platform and Copilot many of which are not covered in detail here.
Here is a round up of the most impactful changes and why they matter.
Smarter Automation with Power Automate
Microsoft is focusing on reliability visibility and maker productivity.
What is new
- Inline property previews – Makers can see structured previews of dynamic content while building flows reducing test runs errors and guesswork.
- Restore deleted flows – Accidentally deleted a flow You will be able to recover it directly from the portal within a defined timeframe.
- Version control for Desktop Flows – Desktop flows now get version history rollback and auditability similar to cloud flows.
Why it matters
Faster builds fewer mistakes and automation you can trust even in complex environments.
Dataverse Bringing Business Data into Copilot
Dataverse is becoming a first class data source inside Microsoft Copilot.
Key updates
- Dataverse data available in Work IQ – This enables Copilot and agents to reason over real business data answering questions and taking action with context.
- Prompt columns now generally available – Use AI directly inside Dataverse columns to summarise feedback classify data extract insights and store them as queryable fields.
- Improved bulk delete experience – Bulk delete jobs are now more reliable solution aware and deployable across environments.
Why it matters
AI insights become usable data not just suggestions powering better apps flows and reporting.
Power Apps Better UX Faster Insights More AI
Power Apps continues to shift toward a modern AI assisted builder experience.
Highlights
- Offline and online switching improved – Users can instantly access real time data when online without lengthy resyncs.
- Enhanced search in canvas apps – Lookup fields now use Dataverse search supporting partial matches fuzzy logic and typo tolerance.
- Generative pages available globally – Build app pages using natural language now with local language date and number formats supported.
Why it matters
Better usability for frontline teams and significantly faster app creation for makers.
Copilot Studio From Chatbots to Action Taking Agents
This wave marks a shift from Copilot answering questions to taking action.
Standout features
- Custom Model Context Protocol servers – Securely connect Copilot agents to external systems such as DocuSign and DevOps using controlled reusable toolsets.
- Custom success metrics – Define your own KPIs to measure agent effectiveness tied to real business outcomes.
Why it matters
Organisations can deploy AI agents with confidence governed measurable and capable of real work.
Power Pages Full Websites Built with AI
AI now supports end to end Power Pages site creation including page design content security roles and permissions and production ready configuration.
Additional improvements include
- Integrated analytics in Monitor Hub
- Security agents to detect threats abuse and unusual login behaviour
- Enhanced auditing and authentication controls
Why it matters
Faster site delivery built in security and clearer visibility without deep Power Pages expertise.
Governance and Admin Visibility Control and Confidence
Microsoft has made significant improvements for admins and IT teams.
Key enhancements
- Faster operational alerts – Health issues can now be detected and actioned more quickly rather than on a 24 hour cycle.
- New Power Platform usage analytics – Track adoption engagement and value across Power Apps Power Automate and Copilot Studio in one place.
Why it matters
Better governance lower risk and clearer insight into what is delivering value and what is not.
What This Means for mhance Customers
Across the Wave Release the direction is clear
- AI is embedded not bolted on
- Automation is more transparent and resilient
- Governance and control are keeping pace with innovation
Whether you are modernising legacy systems improving service delivery or exploring AI led transformation these updates unlock practical opportunities to work smarter safely.
Want to explore how these features apply to your organisation? Get in touch with mhance or join one of our upcoming events to see the Power Platform and Copilot in action.