Microsoft Word: Researcher feature will retire starting late December 2024

The Researcher feature in Microsoft Word will be retired starting late December 2024, with full retirement by January 2025. This affects Word for Windows and Mac desktops. Microsoft suggests using Copilot as an alternative. Users should be informed and documentation updated accordingly.

(more…)

Microsoft Places will be generally available in Q4 CY24

Microsoft Places, an AI-powered app for flexible work, will be available in Q4 CY24 with core and premium service plans. Existing Office 365 subscribers will receive the core service plan, including basic features for workplace coordination. Teams Premium users will get enhanced features. Deployment begins in November across all platforms.

(more…)

Product transitions to the cloud.microsoft domain – September 2024

The message details the transition of Microsoft products to the cloud.microsoft domain by September 2024, with some services already available. It advises admins to educate users, update organizational materials, ensure in-house apps are compatible, and verify network connections to *.cloud.microsoft are unblocked.

(more…)

Microsoft Forms: New data sync solution for Microsoft Excel for the web in Microsoft SharePoint Online and OneDrive

Microsoft Forms will soon introduce a new data sync solution for Excel on the web in SharePoint Online and OneDrive, replacing the old sync method. Rollout starts mid-October 2024 and should complete by mid-November 2024. This feature will be default and requires no admin action before rollout.

(more…)

Microsoft 365 admin center: Usage reports – Integrated apps and Copilot extensions

The Teams app usage report will be renamed to the Integrated Apps usage report and redesigned with new metrics and charts. These will provide insights into apps enabled for Teams, Outlook, Microsoft 365 apps, and Microsoft 365 Copilot (Copilot extensions) in your organization. The report will feature two sections: App Usage and User Activity. Insights will be organized by Publishing Type (Line-of-business apps, Microsoft partner apps, and Microsoft apps), Host Product (Teams, Microsoft 365 app, Outlook, Copilot), and Platform (Desktop, Mobile, Web). Additionally, the report will include views of app and user details.

(more…)

Extension of CNS service API support for Teams Phone Devices until Jan 15, 2025

The CNS Service API support for Teams Phone devices has been extended to January 15, 2025. The extension is temporary, and users must plan upgrades to avoid long-term service interruptions. Impacted models and required actions for updates are specified.

(more…)

Microsoft Viva: Viva Amplify – Collaborative authoring

Multiple authors can collaborate on a Viva Amplify publication at the same time.

(more…)

Change to data classification for Copilot usage information in the Microsoft 365 admin center and Viva Insights

The message informs that Microsoft 365 Copilot usage data has been reclassified as required service data, eliminating the need for optional diagnostic data for active usage metrics. This change is effective immediately, and no action is needed if devices are updated to specified application versions.

(more…)

Microsoft 365 admin center: Usage reports – Microsoft 365 Copilot extension usage

See usage of Microsoft 365 Copilot enabled apps (Copilot Extensions) in your organization.

(more…)

Outlook: People module improvements on new Outlook for Windows

In the new Outlook for Windows, the people module offers a streamlined contacts interface with a single view of each person, automatically linking duplicates and enriching them with organizational profiles. #newoutlookforwindows

(more…)


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.