HISTORICAL NEWSLETTER / Microsoft 365

June 2025 Technology Newsletter

A historical monthly edition covering Microsoft cloud, security, collaboration, and hybrid infrastructure updates.

What’s New in the Hybrid Data Center?

Cisco

Cisco Live 2025 is underway in San Diego, showcasing Cisco’s long-term strategy to enable AI-ready enterprises. The focus this year is on preparing networks and data centers to support the intense workloads and demands of artificial intelligence.

Key Announcements

AI-Ready Network Architecture Cisco unveiled its new secure, scalable networking stack optimized for AI-era demands. Unified control across Meraki and Catalyst platforms is now possible through a new management layer. AI-specific hardware improvements support increased throughput and performance for inference and training workloads.

Cisco unveiled its new secure, scalable networking stack optimized for AI-era demands.

Unified control across Meraki and Catalyst platforms is now possible through a new management layer.

AI-specific hardware improvements support increased throughput and performance for inference and training workloads.

AgenticOps and Deep Network Model Cisco introduced “AgenticOps,” a concept leveraging LLMs for network automation and decision-making. The new Deep Network Model, an advanced networking-focused LLM, powers: Cisco AI Assistant: Chat-based management for networks. Cisco AI Canvas: A visual generative AI interface for IT collaboration.

Cisco introduced “AgenticOps,” a concept leveraging LLMs for network automation and decision-making.

The new Deep Network Model, an advanced networking-focused LLM, powers: Cisco AI Assistant: Chat-based management for networks. Cisco AI Canvas: A visual generative AI interface for IT collaboration.

Cisco AI Assistant: Chat-based management for networks.

Cisco AI Canvas: A visual generative AI interface for IT collaboration.

Security Innovations for AI Workloads Cisco debuted a new AI security posture: post-quantum encryption, threat detection for AI agents, and real-time monitoring. These updates are designed to secure generative AI applications, APIs, and workloads from modern threats.

Cisco debuted a new AI security posture: post-quantum encryption, threat detection for AI agents, and real-time monitoring.

These updates are designed to secure generative AI applications, APIs, and workloads from modern threats.

Industrial & Wireless Expansion New ruggedized industrial switching hardware targets smart factories and OT networks. Wi-Fi 7 access points launch with Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) support for latency-sensitive environments.

New ruggedized industrial switching hardware targets smart factories and OT networks.

Wi-Fi 7 access points launch with Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) support for latency-sensitive environments.

Digital Resilience & Observability Enhanced Splunk integration provides real-time analytics and visibility across hybrid environments. Focus on reducing MTTR through event correlation and actionable AI insights.

Enhanced Splunk integration provides real-time analytics and visibility across hybrid environments.

Focus on reducing MTTR through event correlation and actionable AI insights.

Whether attending in person or virtually, Cisco Live 2025 is proving to be a defining moment in the intersection of AI, networking, and cybersecurity.

Useful Resources:

Cisco Live Official Site

Cisco Live Official Site ↗

Broadcast Agenda

Broadcast Agenda ↗

Nutanix

Major Announcements from .Next 2025Nutanix hosted its .Next conference in Washington DC in May 2025, delivering major updates for organizations managing hybrid and multicloud environments. Lots of great announcements! Catch up on many of them here in our event recap.

Key Highlights

External Storage Support A long-awaited feature: AHV now supports external storage. Initial integrations include: Dell PowerFlex (Generally Available) NCP with Pure Storage and Cisco FlashStack (Validated configurations)

Dell PowerFlex ↗ · NCP with Pure Storage ↗

A long-awaited feature: AHV now supports external storage.

Initial integrations include: Dell PowerFlex (Generally Available) NCP with Pure Storage and Cisco FlashStack (Validated configurations)

Dell PowerFlex ↗ · NCP with Pure Storage ↗

Dell PowerFlex (Generally Available)

Dell PowerFlex ↗

NCP with Pure Storage and Cisco FlashStack (Validated configurations)

NCP with Pure Storage ↗

NC2 Multicloud Enhancements NC2 is now available on Google Cloud, expanding beyond AWS and Azure giving customers even more choice in hyperscaler deployments. Key features: Multicloud Snapshots on Azure for zero-compute disaster recovery. Elastic SAN brings scalable storage to NC2 on Azure. New EC2 instance types supported for AWS deployments.

NC2 Multicloud Enhancements ↗

NC2 is now available on Google Cloud, expanding beyond AWS and Azure giving customers even more choice in hyperscaler deployments.

Key features: Multicloud Snapshots on Azure for zero-compute disaster recovery. Elastic SAN brings scalable storage to NC2 on Azure. New EC2 instance types supported for AWS deployments.

Multicloud Snapshots on Azure for zero-compute disaster recovery.

Elastic SAN brings scalable storage to NC2 on Azure.

New EC2 instance types supported for AWS deployments.

Version Releases AOS 7.0.1.5 (Unified Release) AHV 10.0.1 (Latest) LTS versions: AOS 6.10.1.6, AHV 20230302.103014 Prism Central: 2024.3.1.2

AOS 7.0.1.5 (Unified Release)

AHV 10.0.1 (Latest)

LTS versions: AOS 6.10.1.6, AHV 20230302.103014

Prism Central: 2024.3.1.2

Omnissa Breakthrough Horizon VDI is now deployable on Nutanix AHV. This eliminates the need for vSphere and opens VDI to more customers. Beta starts this summer, GA expected later in the year.

Horizon VDI is now deployable on Nutanix AHV. ↗

Horizon VDI is now deployable on Nutanix AHV.

Horizon VDI is now deployable on Nutanix AHV. ↗

This eliminates the need for vSphere and opens VDI to more customers.

Beta starts this summer, GA expected later in the year.

Cohesity

Data Protection & IntegrationCohesity expands long-term support and integrations, targeting Microsoft 365 workloads, OpenShift virtualization, and government cloud compliance.

LTS Update Released Version 7.1.2 Update 4 brings improved support for Microsoft 365 workloads.

Version 7.1.2 Update 4 brings improved support for Microsoft 365 workloads.

Federal Capability Expansion Achieved AWS Government Competency for secure GovCloud workloads.

Federal Capability Expansion ↗

Achieved AWS Government Competency for secure GovCloud workloads.

RedHat Integration Now supports VM-level protection for OpenShift Virtualization environments. Adds flexibility for container-native application backups.

RedHat Integration ↗

Now supports VM-level protection for OpenShift Virtualization environments.

Adds flexibility for container-native application backups.

Pure Storage

Sustainable Storage + Cloud ExpansionDriving sustainability through hardware reuse and hybrid-ready cloud storage solutions for Azure and AWS.

//RC20 Flash Array Built using renewed components. Delivers the same high performance under Pure’s Evergreen model.

//RC20 Flash Array ↗

Built using renewed components.

Delivers the same high performance under Pure’s Evergreen model.

Cloud Integration Expansion Azure cloud block storage now mirrored in AWS via Elastic VMware Service. Simplifies hybrid cloud storage deployments.

Cloud Integration Expansion ↗

Azure cloud block storage now mirrored in AWS via Elastic VMware Service.

Simplifies hybrid cloud storage deployments.

Sustainability Transparency Published carbon footprint comparisons between SSDs and traditional HDDs. Flash vs HDD – Part 1: Flash storage has much lower embodied carbon than HDDs, especially in power efficiency. Device-Level Comparison: Even high-capacity SSDs outperform HDDs in sustainability and energy use. Highlights operational energy savings and lifecycle benefits.

Flash vs HDD – Part 1 ↗ · Device-Level Comparison ↗

Published carbon footprint comparisons between SSDs and traditional HDDs. Flash vs HDD – Part 1: Flash storage has much lower embodied carbon than HDDs, especially in power efficiency. Device-Level Comparison: Even high-capacity SSDs outperform HDDs in sustainability and energy use.

Flash vs HDD – Part 1 ↗ · Device-Level Comparison ↗

Flash vs HDD – Part 1: Flash storage has much lower embodied carbon than HDDs, especially in power efficiency.

Flash vs HDD – Part 1 ↗

Device-Level Comparison: Even high-capacity SSDs outperform HDDs in sustainability and energy use.

Device-Level Comparison ↗

Highlights operational energy savings and lifecycle benefits.

Rubrik

Security Cloud & Azure ProtectionSecurity-first updates focus on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), access control, and flexible Azure protection with RBAC and private Exocompute clusters.

CDM Updates 9.3.2 and 9.2.3-p4 now available.

9.3.2 and 9.2.3-p4 now available.

Security Recommendations MFA for all local users – Enable passkey-based MFA which is highly resistant to phishing  IP Allow List - Limit RSC access to a known set of customer source IP addresses  User Account Lockout - Protect against brute force password attacks  Breached Password Protection – Identify compromised credentials being used for local Rubrik accounts

MFA for all local users – Enable passkey-based MFA which is highly resistant to phishing

IP Allow List - Limit RSC access to a known set of customer source IP addresses

User Account Lockout - Protect against brute force password attacks

Breached Password Protection – Identify compromised credentials being used for local Rubrik accounts

SSO Deadline All legacy Rubrik Security Cloud SSO configurations must be migrated to native IdP by July 31, 2025.

All legacy Rubrik Security Cloud SSO configurations must be migrated to native IdP by July 31, 2025.

Granular RBAC for Azure Role-based access now available at VM, SQL DB, Blob Storage, and Resource Group levels.

Role-based access now available at VM, SQL DB, Blob Storage, and Resource Group levels.

Exocompute Changes Private mode will be mandatory post-July 15. Clusters older than 24 hours will auto-delete unless jobs are pending. On-demand cluster scaling improves resource optimization.

Private mode will be mandatory post-July 15.

Clusters older than 24 hours will auto-delete unless jobs are pending.

On-demand cluster scaling improves resource optimization.

What’s New in Microsoft Cloud?

Azure

Azure: Smarter, Faster, Cheaper Cloud Ops with AI and No-Code Tools

Cost Management EnhancementsAzure Cost Analysis now features AI-powered recommendations to identify unused resources and right-size workloads improving overall cloud efficiency and spend control.

Automated Policy RemediationAzure Policy now supports automatic remediation for more built-in policies, reducing manual intervention while enforcing compliance across environments.

AVD Screen Capture ProtectionA new preview feature in Azure Virtual Desktop enables screen capture protection, improving data security for sensitive or regulated remote sessions.

No-Code Alerts in Azure MonitorAzure Monitor now allows admins to build complex alert conditions without writing KQL, making monitoring more accessible and intuitive.

Compute Gallery ImprovementsUpdates to Azure Compute Gallery improve VM image versioning and replication across regions, streamlining multi-region deployments and disaster recovery planning.

Microsoft Build 2025 Announcements Coding Agent: Automates code reviews, writing, and bug fixes. Digital Twin Builder: Expanded features and CosmosDB integration for modeling real-world systems. “Chat with your data:” A new Power BI feature enabling natural language conversations across semantic models, apps, and agents.

Microsoft Build 2025 ↗ · Coding Agent ↗ · CosmosDB ↗

Coding Agent: Automates code reviews, writing, and bug fixes.

Coding Agent ↗

Digital Twin Builder: Expanded features and CosmosDB integration for modeling real-world systems.

CosmosDB ↗

“Chat with your data:” A new Power BI feature enabling natural language conversations across semantic models, apps, and agents.

Azure AI Foundry Updates Azure AI Agent Service is now generally available, allowing enterprises to automate processes and dynamically select the best OpenAI model for each prompt or workflow.

Azure AI Foundry Updates ↗

Azure AI Agent Service is now generally available, allowing enterprises to automate processes and dynamically select the best OpenAI model for each prompt or workflow.

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Deeper Integrations, Visual Prompts, and Admin Control

New Features for Users:

Researcher and Analyst AgentsNow generally available and ready to install for enterprise users.

SharePoint/OneDrive File PromptsBy early July, users can select SharePoint and OneDrive folders directly via the “Attach cloud files” icon in prompts.

Excel-Driven PowerPoint CreationBy the end of the month, users can search for Excel files and use them to generate presentations. If needed, they can paste a direct URL to the file in OneDrive or SharePoint.

Excel UI EnhancementsThe Copilot icon and right-click context menu now follow your cell activity, letting you launch summaries and formula suggestions directly from the worksheet.

Copilot in FormsForms can now reference existing files from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to dynamically populate forms with context-aware content.

Mobile App Copilot FeaturesIn Office mobile apps (Teams, Outlook, Word), users can now generate visuals using natural language, helping bring ideas to life on the go.

Third-Party Data in Copilot StudioAdmins can connect data sources like Zendesk using Copilot connectors, allowing users to pull live data into conversations (e.g., “Show my open Zendesk tickets.”).

Audio Summaries & Document RewritesTeams meeting transcriptions, Word docs, and PDFs can now be converted into audio summaries, available in either summary or podcast format.Word also gains: One-click grammar/spelling fixes. The ability to rewrite, shorten, or expand sections while keeping the rest of the file private. Quantitative insights via the new Understanding tab (totals, dates, percentages).

One-click grammar/spelling fixes.

The ability to rewrite, shorten, or expand sections while keeping the rest of the file private.

Quantitative insights via the new Understanding tab (totals, dates, percentages).

Visual Input and AccessibilityDrag-and-drop a chart or visual into Copilot chat to extract text, generate alt text, or get a plain-language description, ideal for accessibility checks or summarizing data quickly.

Admin Features:

Agent Ownership ManagementStarting June 30, admins can use PowerShell to reassign ownership of Copilot agents if the original creator leaves the organization or changes roles.

Budget and Usage ControlAdmins can now: Allocate Copilot budgets by department. Set usage caps. Manage file uploads (DOCX, PPTX, PDF) and apply sensitivity labels for security and compliance.

Allocate Copilot budgets by department.

Set usage caps.

Manage file uploads (DOCX, PPTX, PDF) and apply sensitivity labels for security and compliance.

Defender for Cloud Apps

Defender for Cloud Apps: API Migration, Firewall Policy Changes, and Catalog UX Improvements

Key Updates:

SIEM Agent Deprecation:Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps will deprecate SIEM agents starting November 2025. Organizations must migrate to supported alternatives: Microsoft Defender XDR Streaming API Microsoft Graph Security Alerts API

Microsoft Defender XDR Streaming API

Microsoft Graph Security Alerts API

Cloud App Catalog Redesign:The Cloud App Catalog UI has been revamped for improved navigation, usability, and security compliance visibility.

Firewall Configuration Update:Customers must update firewall rules to maintain service continuity. Two options are available:Allow specific source IP address rangesUse the AzureFrontDoor service tag (MicrosoftSecurity)

Allow specific source IP address rangesUse the AzureFrontDoor service tag (MicrosoftSecurity)

⚠ This requirement is repeated to ensure no disruption to Defender service access.

Defender for Office 365

Defender for Office: Enhanced Safe Links Protections and New Teams Security Guidance

Safe Links Expansion:Microsoft is expanding Safe Links capabilities in Defender for Office 365 to provide stronger protection through: Zero-hour Auto Purge (ZAP) Quarantine improvements Enhanced end-user reporting of malicious messages

Zero-hour Auto Purge (ZAP)

Quarantine improvements

Enhanced end-user reporting of malicious messages

Deployment & SecOps Guides:New deployment and SecOps configuration guides are now available to help organizations set up and fine-tune Teams protection under Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 (MDO Plan 2).

Defender XDR

Defender XDR: Unified SIEM, Advanced Hunting for Teams, and AI-Driven Phishing Triage

Sentinel SIEM Integration:Microsoft is merging Sentinel’s SIEM capabilities into Defender XDR, creating a more streamlined and cohesive security operations experience.

Advanced Hunting Enhancements:New telemetry and analytics capabilities include: Microsoft Teams-specific tables, such as MessageEvents and MessagePostDeliveryEvents. An expanded IdentityInfo table to improve user-based threat detection.

Microsoft Teams-specific tables, such as MessageEvents and MessagePostDeliveryEvents.

An expanded IdentityInfo table to improve user-based threat detection.

AI-Powered Phishing Triage Agent:A new Security Copilot Phishing Triage Agent is in development to: Autonomously process phishing submissions Eliminate false positives Reduce manual workload for SOC analysts

Autonomously process phishing submissions

Eliminate false positives

Reduce manual workload for SOC analysts

Entra ID

Entra ID: Stronger External Auth, Sync Security, and Conditional Access Visibility

External Identity Provider Support:SAML and WS-Fed Identity Provider (IdP) support is now generally available, allowing users from partner organizations to authenticate using their own credentials, no need to provision or manage separate Entra IDs.

authenticate using their own credentials ↗

Custom Extensions for Attribute Collection:Organizations can now enable custom pre- and post-sign-up logic, including: Validation of user data Modification of attributes during registration flows

Validation of user data

Modification of attributes during registration flows

Application-Based Authentication (OAuth 2.0):Now in public preview, this feature allows more secure synchronization between Entra and on-premises directories using app identities and OAuth 2.0, replacing older credential-based sync methods.

Conditional Access Policy Impact Analysis:Admins can now evaluate Conditional Access changes against recent login attempts to: Predict real-world outcomes Reduce misconfigurations Ensure smoother policy rollout and enforcement

evaluate Conditional Access changes ↗

Predict real-world outcomes

Reduce misconfigurations

Ensure smoother policy rollout and enforcement

Exchange Online

Exchange Online: Stronger Defaults, Better Sync, and Easier Email Auth

Safe Attachments Policy Change:Between July and August 2025, the default “Monitor” action will be changed to “Block” in Exchange Online Protection. Remaining options: Off, Block, Dynamic Delivery.

SMTP AUTH Enforcement:Expect tighter enforcement of SMTP AUTH to reduce spam and unauthorized email relay. Legacy configurations should be reviewed and updated.

Out of Office Sync Improvements:Out of Office status will sync more reliably across desktop and mobile Outlook clients.

Simplified DKIM/DMARC Setup:The Exchange Admin Center now offers a streamlined setup experience for DKIM and DMARC, helping improve email deliverability and authentication.

Intune

Intune: BYOD Android Overhaul Begins Late 2025

Android BYOD Management Is Changing:Microsoft is preparing to shift Intune’s BYOD Android device management to the Android Management API (AM API).

Android BYOD Management Is Changing: ↗

What to Do Now:Organizations should begin to: Revise enrollment policies Update internal documentation Train helpdesk teams for the new experience

Revise enrollment policies

Update internal documentation

Train helpdesk teams for the new experience

What’s Coming:In the second half of 2025, IT teams can opt into web-based enrollments for personally-owned Android work profile devices. Previously enrolled devices will need to migrate to the new model for continued support.

Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center

Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center: New SharePoint Storage Visibility and Insights

Key Update:

SharePoint Storage Tab Coming Soon:A new Storage tab will be added to the Microsoft 365 admin center’s usage reports, providing: Quota consumption overviews Actionable storage management recommendations to help admins optimize capacity and prevent overages

Quota consumption overviews

Actionable storage management recommendations to help admins optimize capacity and prevent overages

OneDrive

OneDrive: License Enforcement Deadlines and Personal Account Prompts

Unlicensed Account Enforcement Timeline: June 24, 2025: Admins can view detailed reasons for unlicensed status. July 28, 2025: Accounts unlicensed by this date will be flagged. September 26, 2025: Affected accounts become read-only. October 29, 2025: Read-only accounts will be archived.

June 24, 2025: Admins can view detailed reasons for unlicensed status.

July 28, 2025: Accounts unlicensed by this date will be flagged.

September 26, 2025: Affected accounts become read-only.

October 29, 2025: Read-only accounts will be archived.

Personal Account Sign-In Prompt:OneDrive will prompt users to sign in with their personal Microsoft account if already signed in on the device. This does not sync personal and work files, but may confuse users. Admins can disable this behavior via policy for a cleaner experience.

This does not sync personal and work files, but may confuse users.

Admins can disable this behavior via policy for a cleaner experience.

Outlook (Classic)

Outlook (Classic): Smoother Transitions Between Outlook Versions

Improved Window Behavior:Since mid-May 2025, when users switch from the new Outlook to Classic Outlook, the new Outlook remains minimized instead of closing completely.

Parallel Access Update (June 2025):Beginning in early June, users will be able to open Classic Outlook without closing or leaving the new Outlook, enabling easier side-by-side use during transition or testing phases.

Outlook (New)

Outlook (New): Offline Access, Enhanced Delegation, and Copilot-Powered Productivity

Offline Mode in Public Preview: Users can now access recent emails, calendar items, and contacts even when offline, ideal for travel or connectivity disruptions.

Users can now access recent emails, calendar items, and contacts even when offline, ideal for travel or connectivity disruptions.

Delegation Enhancements: Features like shared mailboxes and calendar access are now approaching full parity with Classic Outlook, making the new version more viable for enterprise workflows.

Features like shared mailboxes and calendar access are now approaching full parity with Classic Outlook, making the new version more viable for enterprise workflows.

Third-Party Add-In Compatibility: Microsoft is gradually expanding support for third-party add-ins. Organizations should verify compatibility with line-of-business tools before fully transitioning.

Microsoft is gradually expanding support for third-party add-ins. Organizations should verify compatibility with line-of-business tools before fully transitioning.

Streamlined Copilot Features: Users can now pin important emails, schedule send times, and use Copilot directly within the interface for quick summaries and drafting, boosting everyday productivity.

Users can now pin important emails, schedule send times, and use Copilot directly within the interface for quick summaries and drafting, boosting everyday productivity.

Planner

Planner: Project for the Web Retires, Planner Takes the Lead with AI & Agile Tools

Project for the Web Retirement:Starting August 2025, Microsoft will retire Project for the Web. All users will be automatically redirected to the new Planner. No manual migration or license changes are required.

What’s New in Planner:The enhanced Planner experience now includes: Goals and Sprints for Agile Project Management. Task history and advanced dependencies. AI-powered tools like Copilot and the Project Manager agent for intelligent planning and execution.

Goals and Sprints for Agile Project Management.

Task history and advanced dependencies.

AI-powered tools like Copilot and the Project Manager agent for intelligent planning and execution.

Power Platform

Power Platform: Expanded Security Controls for Copilot Agent Governance

Scalable Security Management:Admins can now manage security across environments more efficiently with new governance capabilities.

Copilot Agent Governance (Starting June 16):New controls allow admins to: Limit agent sharing Disable anonymous access Enforce authentication provider policiesThese updates enhance security for organizations using Microsoft Copilot Studio to build and deploy agents.

Limit agent sharing

Disable anonymous access

Enforce authentication provider policiesThese updates enhance security for organizations using Microsoft Copilot Studio to build and deploy agents.

Purview Information Protection

Purview Information Protection: Smarter Data Protection for AI and Enterprise Apps

AI Usage Visibility by Department:A new graph in Data Security Posture Management for AI shows which departments are using AI apps, using profile data from Entra ID.

Data Security Investigations (DSI):A newly released AI-powered tool for identifying incident-related data, performing content analysis, and mitigating risk in a unified dashboard.

Attachment Previews in Compliance Center:Starting June 2025, admins can preview email attachments directly in Content Explorer.

Granular Retention Policies:Admins can now separate Teams chats and Copilot interactions into different retention policies using PowerShell.

Inline AI App Protection in Edge for Business:New inline data loss protection (DLP) controls for AI apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek, enabling sensitive data prompt blocking.

Enterprise AI App DLP Category:New DLP collection policy category for Enterprise AI apps (requires Azure + E5 licensing). Organizations must update policies to continue collecting data from apps like ChatGPT Enterprise.

SharePoint

SharePoint: Improved Sharing, Smarter Site Creation, and AI-Powered Enhancements

External Sharing Reset Required (Effective July 1):After integrating with Microsoft Entra B2B, previously shared links will no longer work. Users must re-invite external collaborators. MFA setup and user communication recommended.

Users must re-invite external collaborators.

MFA setup and user communication recommended.

Site Creation Improvements: New experience includes granular permissions and live template previews.

New experience includes granular permissions and live template previews.

AI Enhancements in SharePoint Premium: Expanded features for auto-tagging, content classification, and Copilot-powered summaries.

Expanded features for auto-tagging, content classification, and Copilot-powered summaries.

Stronger Default Security for New Sites: Tighter external sharing policies, especially in Microsoft 365 E5 environments.

Tighter external sharing policies, especially in Microsoft 365 E5 environments.

Dynamic FAQ Web Part Coming Soon: Powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot. Auto-curates FAQ content for licensed users.

Powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Auto-curates FAQ content for licensed users.

Teams

Teams , Classic retires; new windows, smarter Copilot

Classic Teams retires, multi-window support arrives

Classic Teams will be unavailable after July 1, 2025.

The new Teams Reader role in the admin center provides read-only settings access.

Users can open Chat and Teams in separate windows for productivity, rolling out July to August 2025.

The Copilot panel in chats and channels is becoming more context-aware.

Teams Chat & Channels , New retention controls, tab renamed to “Shared”

Retention policies and UI changes coming

Admins can set separate retention policies for Copilot interactions and Teams chats.(GA rollout begins early June 2025)

The “Files” tab in Teams channels will be renamed “Shared” tab.(Rollout: early July to mid-August 2025)

Teams Meetings , Town Hall settings, Sign Language Mode, Lobby chat

Accessibility, roles, and new messaging features:

New policy: TownhallEventAccessType allows admins control access. (Everyone vs Organization + Guests)

Meeting invites will differentiate between Attendee, Presenter, and Co-organizer.

Sign Language Mode adds inclusive experiences.

Temporary display name edits during meetings are coming soon.

Lobby chat enables one-way messages to waiting attendees.

Teams Mobile , Privacy updates, ringtones, and call alerts

Location privacy, ringtones, and call notifications:

Location sharing has been updated for emergency calls. Users must opt in (June rollout).

Users can now customize ringtones by call type (e.g., forwarded, delegated). Find these settings under Teams Settings > Calling > Choose a ringtone.

Call Waiting Beep is now available (enabled via settings on desktop; default on mobile).

Teams Phone , Shared lines, contact management, auth updates

Shared line control and simplified device management:

Admins can now remotely manage contacts for common area phones.

Devices allow users to: Assign shared lines to line keys. View boss/delegate presence. Add/edit external contacts directly on-device.

Assign shared lines to line keys.

View boss/delegate presence.

Add/edit external contacts directly on-device.

Line key enhancements support: Shared line, delegation, call queues, transfers. Efficient multi-call handling with fewer menus.

Shared line, delegation, call queues, transfers.

Efficient multi-call handling with fewer menus.

Authentication updates for Android Teams Devices: Must update app versions by December 31, 2025. Key migration dates: July 31 and September 30, 2025.

Must update app versions by December 31, 2025.

Key migration dates: July 31 and September 30, 2025.

Teams Admin Center , Track client health and version rollouts

New client health insights:

A new TAC page lets admins monitor: Teams desktop client health Version adoption rates

Teams desktop client health

Version adoption rates

Teams Premium , AI alerts for sensitive data, coaching tools added

Sensitive content alerts and queue coaching tools:

Teams will proactively alert meeting organizers if sensitive info is shared onscreen. Alerts cover: bank information, credit card numbers, etc.

Alerts cover: bank information, credit card numbers, etc.

Teams Queues app now includes: Monitor, Whisper, Barge, and Takeover features for private coaching.

Monitor, Whisper, Barge, and Takeover features for private coaching.

Viva Insights

Viva Insights: Copilot Unlocks Team Skill Insights in Viva

Full Access for Copilot Users: Viva Insights is now fully available to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers.

Natural Language Reporting: Leaders with licenses can prompt Copilot to explore team skills data.

Dynamic Visual Reports: Copilot generates interactive insights to support workforce planning and performance tracking.

Windows

Windows: Copilot Expands, Time Sync Fixes Urged

Secure Time Seeding Warning: Microsoft urges disabling STS on Windows Server 2016–2025 due to time drift issues.

Copilot Upgrades: Now dockable and integrated with system controls like dark mode and Bluetooth.

Start Menu Ads Testing: Preview builds include “recommendations” disabled via Group Policy or Intune.

Improved Windows Backup: More system settings are now saved to the cloud for faster PC setup and recovery.

Continue reading

Copilot collaboration starts with information ownership ↗

Purview and AI: make the data boundary explicit ↗