Message center announcements
January 6, 2025 – January 12, 2025
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Microsoft Search: The old Search usage reports will retire
MC976821 | January 11 – The old Search usage reports in Microsoft 365 will be retired on April 1, 2025. Users should download necessary old reports by March 31, 2025, and familiarize themselves with the new reports, which cannot be reverted to the old format. Feedback on the new reports is welcomed. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: The new streamlined Chat and Channels experience
MC920179 | January 10 – The message details Microsoft Teams’ updated Chat and Channels experience, now streamlined for ease of use. The General Availability rollout is postponed to late March 2025. This update introduces a unified view for chats, teams, and channels, customizable sections, new filters, and an @mention view. It affects Teams on various platforms but excludes Education tenants. No admin action is required for the update. View more
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Microsoft Viva Engage: Private unlisted groups in external networks will retire and be deleted in January 2025
MC867664 | January 10 – Private unlisted groups in external networks on Microsoft Viva Engage will be retired on January 13, 2025, and deleted on February 10, 2025. Users should convert these groups to listed to retain data and comply with updated security and compliance measures. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: Forwarding loop components
MC950898 | January 7 – Microsoft Teams now allows forwarding loop components. Rollout begins in early January 2025, with full availability by early April 2025. This update removes previous restrictions on forwarding messages with loop components and will occur automatically without admin action needed. Users can forward by selecting ‘more actions’ on a message. For more details, visit Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 469507 or Microsoft Support. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Purview | Data Lifecycle Management: Separate Copilot retention policies from Teams chats
MC926899 | January 11 – Microsoft is updating the Purview Data Lifecycle Management to allow separate retention policies for Teams chats and Copilot interactions. Rollout begins mid-November 2024 for Public Preview and mid-February 2025 for General Availability. Admins can configure these settings without prior action required. Microsoft 365 Copilot license is necessary. View more
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Viva Engage: Verified Answers
MC976828 | January 11 – Microsoft Viva Engage is introducing a Verified Answers feature, allowing community experts and admins to mark credible answers as “Verified.” This enhances credibility, streamlines knowledge sharing, and boosts community engagement. Rollout begins January 2025, with no admin action required for the automatic update. View more
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Microsoft Viva Engage: Leadership feed available in SharePoint web part
MC976827 | January 11 – The message details the addition of a “leaders” feed to the Viva Engage conversations web part in SharePoint. Site admins can now include this feed, which displays content based on user license status. The feature is globally available and requires no action from admins. Users may see content from the leadership corner or home feed. View more
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Microsoft SharePoint: New Accessibility assistant tool for authoring Pages
MC976819 | January 11 – A new ‘Accessibility assistant’ tool for SharePoint Pages is coming to help creators ensure content accessibility. It will begin rolling out in late January 2025 for Targeted Release and mid-February 2025 for General Availability, completing in early March 2025. The tool will support five web parts and provide guidance to address accessibility issues. No admin action is required for the rollout. View more
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(Updated) Viva Learning: AI and Copilot Resources Provider visibility
MC962529 | January 10 – The AI and Copilot Resources Provider for Microsoft Copilot Academy will be visible by default to users with Copilot licenses starting mid-January 2025. Admins can manage permissions and content visibility. The rollout requires no admin action but updating documentation is advised. Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 412064 details this update. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: Shorter meeting URLs
MC772556 | January 10 – Microsoft Teams is shortening meeting URLs for easier sharing across all platforms, with updated rollout dates and new expiry details for meeting links. The new URL format will enhance security and usability, and old links will remain functional. Organizations should prepare for changes in URL parameters and inform users accordingly. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Viva: Leaders can use Microsoft 365 Copilot in Viva Insights
MC960821 | January 10 – Microsoft Viva Insights will soon integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling leaders to analyze organizational data and generate reports. New features include query capabilities and Copilot-driven reports. The update requires a Viva Insights premium license and will be available on various Teams platforms, with a Public Preview in December 2024 and General Availability in January 2025. No additional Copilot license is needed. View more
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New Outlook to be pre-installed on Windows 10 devices
MC976059 | January 10 – The new Outlook will be pre-installed on Windows 10 devices with the optional January 28, 2025 release, and the February 11, 2025 security update. It will exist alongside classic Outlook without altering configurations or defaults. Preparation guidance is available for controlling the installation. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android: Choose fonts while composing
MC847877 | January 9 – Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android will soon support choosing fonts while composing emails, with rollout starting mid-November 2024 and completing by late January 2025. Organizations should prepare by informing users and updating training materials. The update is detailed in Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 409969. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Purview | eDiscovery: Export enhancements
MC939916 | January 9 – Microsoft Purview eDiscovery’s Export feature is being enhanced with a unified structure, direct browser downloads for Standard users, faster exports, improved reporting, more options, and new columns in the Export item report. Rollout begins mid-February 2025, completing by mid-March 2025. No admin action is required. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Viva: A new reactions design in Viva Engage
MC892641 | January 9 – Microsoft Viva Engage is introducing a new reactions design in conversation cards, rolling out from early October 2024 to late January 2025. This update will appear in Viva Engage web, Microsoft Teams, Outlook apps, and interactive emails, with no admin action required. View more
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(Updated) Update to Get-CsPhoneNumberAssignment
MC950880 | January 9 – The update to Get-CsPhoneNumberAssignment cmdlet limits phone number retrieval to 1,000 numbers per query, starting January 6, 2025. Rollout begins mid-January and ends late January 2025. Exceeding this limit will result in a “Bad request.” Users should adjust their requests accordingly. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Purview eDiscovery | Modernized eDiscovery in new Microsoft Purview portal
MC808165 | January 9 – The Microsoft Purview eDiscovery has been updated with a modernized user experience in the Purview portal, unifying Content Search, eDiscovery Standard, and Premium. New features enhance security, search efficiency, and data management. Rollout begins July 2024 with full availability expected by March 2025. Organizations should update training materials accordingly. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Viva Engage: New features for Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption community
MC971030 | January 9 – Microsoft Viva Engage is introducing new features to support Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption, including question recommendations and admin controls to manage community features. The rollout begins mid-January 2025 and completes by mid-February 2025. No action is required from admins before the rollout. View more
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Microsoft Teams: iPad Multi-window support
MC975308 | January 9 – Teams now supports multiple windows on iPad. With this ‘multi-window’ feature, users can easily manage different Teams windows side-by-side, increasing productivity and flexibility.This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 467246. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Adding “Service level” to real-time metrics for the Queues app
MC975306 | January 9 – Coming soon to Microsoft Teams: In the Queues app, we will include Service levelin the real-time metrics. Authorized users will be able to review the Service level metric and adjust staffing accordingly. This message applies to the Queues app for Microsoft Teams on Windows desktop. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 472023. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft SharePoint: New setting to disable presence in the file viewer
MC906496 | January 8 – Microsoft has updated the rollout timeline for disabling user presence in OneDrive and SharePoint file viewers, now completing by mid-January 2025. Admins can use the SharePoint Online Management Shell to disable this feature per site collection. The feature is optional and requires no action before rollout. View more
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Updates available for Microsoft 365 Apps for Current Channel
MC974427 | January 8 – We’ve released updates to the following update channel for Microsoft 365 Apps: Current Channel View more
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Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions encryption support in new Outlook for Windows
MC974362 | January 8 – New Outlook for Windows is rolling out S/MIME support for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails. This feature is accessible in Options > More Options and will not impact organizations not using New Outlook or without S/MIME setup. Rollout is automatic, requiring no admin action but user notification is advised. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Edit your display name in meetings
MC974361 | January 8 – Participants in Microsoft Teams meetings will soon be able to edit their display name temporarily during the meeting. This feature is optional and controlled by meeting organizers. Rollouts begin in February 2025 and continue through April 2025, depending on the release schedule. Admins can enable this feature in the Teams admin center. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Enhanced confidentiality in voicemail greetings
MC974356 | January 8 – Microsoft Teams has increased voicemail greeting privacy, now omitting recipient names for external calls. This feature is available now and requires no admin action post-rollout. Users should be informed of this change, which also affects Skype for Business. View more
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Microsoft SharePoint Online: Re-imagined Hero with the new carousel layout in pages and news
MC974354 | January 8 – SharePoint Online introduces a Carousel layout for the Hero web part, enhancing pages and news with a slideshow, new styles, and a call to action. Rollout begins mid-January 2025 for Targeted Release and mid-February 2025 for General Availability, requiring no admin action. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Filter between active and archived teams in Shifts app schedules
MC974351 | January 8 – The Shifts app in Microsoft Teams will soon introduce a filter to toggle between active and archived teams, aiming to streamline focus on current schedules. This update, part of Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 422814, will roll out in early February 2025 and requires no admin action. View more
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Microsoft Forms | Data sync to Microsoft Excel: Support for migrating from the older solution to the new solution
MC855685 | January 7 – Microsoft Forms introduces a new data sync solution for Excel, replacing the older version by January 13, 2025. Users must manually update to the new solution before this date. Notifications and support for migration will be provided, with automatic rollout and no admin action required. Rollout begins late October 2024 for worldwide users and early January 2025 for GCC users. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Using Copilot agents in group chats
MC966631 | January 7 – Microsoft Teams will soon allow users to add Microsoft 365 Copilot agents to group chats for increased productivity, without needing a Copilot license. The feature will roll out in early February 2025 and will be available on various desktop platforms and the web. It will be enabled by default but can be disabled if desired. View more
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(Updated) New Pay-as-you-go billing model for Agents in SharePoint
MC952883 | January 7 – SharePoint introduces a new Pay-as-you-go billing model for Agents, enabling payment through an Azure subscription based on usage. Rollout begins mid-January 2025, with general availability by early February. Admins must set up billing in the Microsoft 365 admin center to activate this service. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Enable transcription policy by default
MC973519 | January 7 – Microsoft Teams is updating its default policy settings for transcription, which will be enabled by default for new tenants starting early February 2025. Existing tenants without customized policies will also be affected. This change aims to streamline transcription adoption and align with recording policies. No admin action is required before the rollout. View more
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Microsoft defender for Office 365: Tool tips and pointers in the Quarantine portal
MC973515 | January 7 – Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is introducing tooltips and pointers in the Quarantine portal to assist admins. Rollout completion is mid-December 2024 worldwide, and by late January 2025 for GCC, GCC High, DoD. No admin action is required for this automatic update. View more
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SharePoint Pages Flexible Sections
MC973514 | January 7 – SharePoint introduces Flexible Sections, allowing page customization without strict column structures. Web parts can be resized and moved dynamically. New section templates are available, and the features will roll out from late January to late April 2025. Organizations should prepare users and help desks for these updates. View more
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Simplify UX flow to enable Together Mode
MC973513 | January 7 – Together Mode in Microsoft 365 will have a new, simplified user experience flow, starting mid-February 2025. It will provide a clear step-by-step setup process, with enhanced transparency and easy access via meeting toolbar icons. Organizations may need to update training materials accordingly. This update is associated with Roadmap ID 470427. View more
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Microsoft Viva Engage: Multi-pin Conversations Carousel is now available
MC973512 | January 7 – The Multi-pin Conversations Carousel for Microsoft Viva Engage is now available, allowing up to six posts to be pinned with a carousel feature for two or more pins. Rollout begins mid-January 2025, completing by early February, with no admin action required. View more
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Microsoft Teams: New “Tag mentions” filter for the Activity feed
MC973502 | January 7 – Microsoft Teams is introducing a new “Tag mentions” filter in the Activity feed to help users see their tag mentions. This feature will start rolling out in early February 2025 and be available by default with no admin action required. View more
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Microsoft SharePoint: New “Editorial card” web part for Pages and News
MC973498 | January 7 – A new “Editorial card” web part is coming to Microsoft SharePoint for Pages and News, allowing manual content customization. It will start rolling out in late January 2025 and be available by default. No admin action is required before the rollout. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Add a Loop workspace tab to standard channels
MC973493 | January 7 – Microsoft Teams will soon allow adding a Loop workspace tab to standard channels for real-time collaboration. This feature, part of Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 472022, will roll out from late January to late February 2025. It will be available by default to all users with Loop enabled in Teams. View more
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Microsoft Teams: Pop out Chat, Copilot, and Notes panes in meetings
MC952888 | January 6 – Microsoft Teams will soon allow users to pop out Notes, Chat, and Copilot panes during meetings. This feature, part of Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 421607, and will roll out from mid-January to late February 2025. No admin action is required for this update. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: Access Workflows from the three-dot menu on shared file
MC750668 | January 6 – Microsoft Teams is updating to include Workflows from the three-dot menu on shared files, with a rollout timeline from late October 2024 to mid-January 2025. Users can configure and run instant workflows for files shared in Teams chat or channels. No action is needed to prepare for this update. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: New Cross-location shifts in the Shifts app
MC800503 | January 6 – The message details the upcoming rollout of the Cross-location Shifts feature in the Microsoft Shifts app for Teams, allowing frontline managers to offer and workers to select open shifts across multiple locations. Rollout updates and benefits are provided, along with preparation instructions and relevant documentation links. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: Brand impersonation protection for Teams Chat
MC910976 | January 6 – Microsoft Teams is introducing a new security feature to alert users of potential brand impersonation in Teams Chat, especially during initial contact from external domains. Rollout begins late October 2024 for Targeted Release and mid-November 2024 for General Availability, completing by mid-January 2025. This feature will be enabled by default with no admin configuration needed. View more
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(Updated) Microsoft Teams: Embed support for Teams town hall
MC889534 | January 6 – Microsoft Teams now allows embedding of Teams town hall events into sites managed by users. This feature includes engagement features like Q&A and reactions. Organizers can get the embed code from the town hall scheduling template. Rollout updates have been made, with completion expected by mid-January 2025. Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 401120 details this update. View more
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(Updated) New Microsoft Outlook for Windows: Receive reminders when offline
MC834186 | January 6 – The new Microsoft Outlook for Windows update, rolling out from early March to late April 2025, will allow users to receive, snooze, and dismiss reminders while offline. Users must enable Reminders in Settings to use this feature, which is on by default for all new users. View more
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