UK CMA opens strategic market status investigation into Microsoft business software

The UK Competition and Markets Authority formally opened its strategic market status investigation into Microsoft's business software ecosystem on May 14, 2026. The CMA will test whether Microsoft holds SMS and whether bundling, interoperability limits and defaults restrict customer choice, with Copilot and cloud licensing in scope. The CMA has until February 13, 2027 to issue its decision notice, and a designation would open the door to conduct requirements.

• Investigation opened May 14, 2026
• Statutory deadline for the SMS decision notice: February 13, 2027
• Scope covers bundling, interoperability, defaults, Copilot and cloud licensing
• Invitation to comment closed June 4, 2026; no designation yet