Microsoft Developing Secure Enterprise Alternative to OpenClaw

Microsoft is testing new features for its Microsoft 365 Copilot tool that would integrate capabilities similar to the open-source agent OpenClaw. The company has confirmed it is experimenting with these features, which are designed to provide enterprise customers with a more secure alternative to the famously risky OpenClaw project.

Expanding the Agentic Ecosystem

OpenClaw is a tool that runs locally on a user’s computer, allowing it to create agents that perform tasks on behalf of the user. While Microsoft has not clarified whether its new version will run locally or in the cloud, the company stated that the agent would function as a version of 365 Copilot that is always active, capable of completing multistep tasks over long periods.
This effort joins a series of agentic tools Microsoft has introduced in recent months. In March, the company announced Copilot Cowork, which is powered by "Work IQ" technology and utilizes Anthropic’s Claude to take direct actions within Microsoft 365 apps. Additionally, Microsoft introduced Copilot Tasks in February, an agent designed to handle broader responsibilities such as organizing email, travel, and appointments. Unlike the local-first approach of OpenClaw, both Cowork and Copilot Tasks currently operate in the cloud.

Focus on Enterprise Security

The push for a proprietary version of an agentic tool appears driven by a need for improved security, governance, and trust. While the open-source OpenClaw project has gained significant traction—notably among users running the software on Mac Mini hardware—it is often viewed as risky for corporate environments.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the company is continuously experimenting with ways to bring broader orchestration and autonomy to its AI experiences. The goal of these developments is to reduce day-to-day friction for users, allowing them to focus on high-priority tasks while maintaining enterprise-grade security standards.

Looking Ahead

Microsoft is expected to showcase this new agent, or an upgraded version of its existing tools, at the Microsoft Build conference in June. While the company declined to provide specific details regarding how this new agent compares to previous releases or whether it will adopt local-processing capabilities, the development underscores Microsoft's ongoing strategy to integrate autonomous agents into its core enterprise software suite.