Retirement of Microsoft Places team guidance feature

Microsoft is retiring the Team Guidance feature in Microsoft Places by November 3, 2025, to streamline collaboration and promote Microsoft 365 Groups. The retirement includes phased read-only and removal stages. Organizations should inform users, transition to Microsoft 365 Groups, and update training accordingly.

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Microsoft 365 admin center – Usage reports: Copilot Search usage

A new Copilot Search usage report will be available in the Microsoft 365 admin center by early September 2025, showing user activity and search metrics. It is enabled by default, requires no setup, and helps organizations monitor Copilot Search adoption and usage trends.

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Rollout Pause – Line Key Configuration via Teams Admin Center

The rollout of line key configuration in Teams Admin Center for Teams phones is paused worldwide to address feedback and improve shared device license support. Admins should configure line keys directly on devices temporarily. Audit logging and reporting via TAC may be affected until the experience resumes.

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Microsoft Defender Core Service coming to Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016

Microsoft Defender Core service will be introduced for Windows Server 2012 R2 and 2016 to improve Defender Antivirus stability and performance. Public preview starts August 28, 2025; general availability by early October 2025. It installs by default with platform update 4.18.25060.7-0 and requires specific URL allowances and process whitelisting.

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Microsoft Intune In Development for September 2025 is now available

The Microsoft Intune In Development page for September 2025 has been updated with upcoming features. Organizations should review the changes to prepare IT staff and update user guidance accordingly, as these features will appear in the next month or later releases.

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Microsoft Copilot Studio – Block the use of maker-provided credentials for authentication

We are announcing the ability for admins to enforce the use of end-user credentials by managing how authentication is handled. This feature will be generally available starting September 19, 2025.

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Windows Backup for Organizations is now available

Windows Backup for Organizations is now generally available. It provides a simple and secure way to back up and restore settings and the list of Microsoft Store apps on eligible enterprise devices running Windows 10 and Windows 11, version 22H2 and higher. With the capability during the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) to restore a familiar experience on a new device or after a device reset or reimage, users can get back to work faster. And, if you’re still in the process of moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Windows Backup for Organizations can help streamline the transition.  

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The August 2025 Windows non-security preview update is now available for some supported versions of Windows

The August 2025 non-security preview update is now available for Windows 11, version 23H2 and Windows 10, version 22H2. The non-security preview update for Windows 11, version 24H2 will be available soon. Information about the contents of this update is available from the release notes, which are accessible from the Windows 11 and Windows 10 update history pages. To learn more about the different types of monthly quality updates, see Windows monthly updates explained.

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Microsoft Intune: Intune settings available in Catalog and Account Protection template for Adminless feature

Adminless settings able to be configured in settings catalog and account protection template.

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Microsoft Teams: Control External Access by Domain for Specific Users and Groups

Gain granular control over external communication. By setting custom External Access policies, you can define domain allow/deny lists and assign them to specific users or groups – capabilities that were previously tenant-wide only (“Teams and Skype for Business users in external organizations”). Use this to pilot with a department, restrict high‑risk roles to approved partners, or open federation broadly where appropriate. Example: Allow Group A to communicate only with a specific domain, while Group B can communicate with all external domains.

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I've been working with Microsoft Technologies over the last ten years, mainly focused on creating collaboration and productivity solutions that drive the adoption of Microsoft Modern Workplace.