🚨 16 new M365 updates reviewed for you from last week

Hi Reader,

Last week, Microsoft dropped 16 new updates in the Microsoft Message Center (week ending Sunday 31 May 2026).

Viva Glint: Heat Map reports can now be exported as fully editable PowerPoint slides

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

A new "Export report to PowerPoint" option will be available for Viva Glint Heat Map reports, producing editable slides rather than screenshots. Both export options will appear in the same dropdown. Existing permissions apply.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Mid-July 2026 (rollout start), Late July 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1326512 | Published: 29 May 2026

SharePoint Online: File-level archiving now available in public preview for Microsoft 365 Archive

Risk: Low | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Medium

Admins can now enable file-level archiving in SharePoint, allowing users with Edit permissions to move individual files or folders to low-cost archival storage at roughly 75% lower cost. Archived files remain visible in place but cannot be opened until reactivated, are excluded from Copilot responses, and are hidden from default search results. Reactivation is instant within 7 days, then up to 24 hours after that. Requires Microsoft 365 Archive to be enabled and configured via PowerShell. Site owners and users need clear guidance before this is enabled.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: Available now (preview), Late June 2026 (GA start), Late July 2026 (GA complete) | ID: MC1326254 | Published: 29 May 2026

SharePoint Online: Content pane toolbox reorganised for page and news post editing

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

The SharePoint page editing toolbox now shows all web parts immediately on opening, with dedicated tabs for Stock images, Videos, Recently used, and Section templates. Existing pages are unaffected. Page authors will notice the updated layout but no functionality is removed.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Late May 2026 (rollout start), Late June 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1326507 | Published: 29 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Information Barriers enforcement extends to same-tenant users in external group chats

Risk: Medium | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Medium

IB policies will now be enforced between internal users even when they participate in external group chats, calls, or meetings. New external conversations will automatically exclude non-compliant participants. Adding users to existing external conversations will be blocked where IB policies prevent it. Existing non-compliant conversations are not retroactively modified at rollout but may be reprocessed if policies or segment membership change. Admins should review IB policy impact on external collaboration and brief helpdesk and regulated teams ahead of the 15 June rollout.

Admin Action: Assess | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: 15 June 2026 (rollout start), 18 June 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1326258 | Published: 29 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Delegates and assistants can now organise events using shared or delegated mailboxes

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

Executive assistants and delegates can create and manage Teams events on behalf of leaders using shared or delegated mailboxes, with invitations and updates sent from the mailbox identity rather than the individual's address. Respects existing Exchange delegate permissions. Admins should review shared mailbox access and brief executive support staff.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Helpdesk briefing

Key dates: Early June 2026 (Targeted Release), Late July 2026 (GA complete) | ID: MC1326502 | Published: 29 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Guest invitation emails will now appear to come from the inviter's email address

Risk: Low | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Low

Teams guest invitations will no longer arrive from a Microsoft no-reply address. They will appear to come from the inviting user's email address, allowing external guests to reply directly. Users should be aware that guests may now reply to their personal work address. Helpdesk teams should expect questions about unexpected email replies from external guests.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: Late June 2026 (rollout start), Late July 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1325416 | Published: 28 May 2026

Microsoft 365 Apps: Cloud Update gains simplified group-based profile and channel management

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

Admins can now assign Cloud Update profiles using Entra ID groups and select update channels in a single step, replacing the previous per-device Switch channel control. Existing profiles are automatically migrated. Admins currently using the Switch device update channel control should add their groups to the appropriate profile.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Late June 2026 (preview complete and GA) | ID: MC1325406 | Published: 28 May 2026

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Significant navigation and chat experience redesign rolling out to the Copilot app

Risk: Medium | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Low

The Microsoft 365 Copilot app is getting a substantial redesign including a new pinned navigation section, a simplified agents flyout, a new Tasks tab for long-running Copilot activity, and a consolidated "Work IQ" toggle replacing separate work and web grounding controls. Chat layout is refreshed with a richer prompting canvas and cleaner responses. Available as opt-in in June, becoming default for all users in July. Users who rely on the current navigation or grounding controls will need to reorient.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: Late May 2026 (Frontier), June 2026 (opt-in GA), July 2026 (default-on) | ID: MC1325422 | Published: 28 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Live captions profanity filter will be off by default for users who have not configured it

Risk: Medium | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Low

The profanity filter for Teams live captions will switch from on to off by default. Users who have previously configured the setting are unaffected. For everyone else, captions may display unfiltered language after rollout. Users can re-enable the filter at any time in Teams settings. Helpdesk teams should be briefed and users should be informed before rollout.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: Early June 2026 (Targeted Release), Late June 2026 (GCC/GCCH/DoD GA) | ID: MC1324286 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: PowerPoint Live presentations can now be refreshed mid-meeting to load the latest version

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

Presenters using PowerPoint Live in Teams can reload the latest saved version of their deck during a live session without stopping and restarting the share. One-click, available by default. No admin configuration needed.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Late May 2026 (Targeted Release), Mid-June 2026 (GA complete) | ID: MC1324281 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Event organizers can now save events as reusable templates

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

Teams event organizers can save an existing event configuration including details, participants, branding, and settings as a reusable template for future events. No admin configuration needed.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Early June 2026 (Targeted Release), Mid-July 2026 (GA complete) | ID: MC1324279 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft Teams Shifts: Managers can now auto-assign open shifts based on availability and scheduling rules

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

A new Assign Open Shifts capability lets frontline managers automatically assign uncovered shifts within a schedule group, drawing on employee availability, approved time off, historical patterns, and configured scheduling rules. Managers review and adjust before publishing. Optional existing scheduling workflows are unchanged.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Mid-June 2026 (rollout start), Late June 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1324280 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft Teams Rooms: Visual room planning tool now available in the Pro Management portal

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

Teams Rooms Builder is a new visual planning tool in the Pro Management portal that lets IT admins design meeting spaces, select compatible devices and licences, and generate a Bill of Materials. Enabled by default for Teams Rooms Pro tenants. No purchasing capability is included and no changes are made to existing room configurations.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Early June 2026 (rollout start), Mid-June 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1324287 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft Teams: Users can now disable file previews in their personal Teams settings

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

A new "Enable file previews" setting under Settings > Files and links lets individual users turn off file previews in Teams chats and channels. On by default no change to existing behaviour unless users opt out. Per-client setting that must be configured separately on desktop and web.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: Early June 2026 (Targeted Release), Late June 2026 (GA complete) | ID: MC1324282 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft 365 Apps: Current Channel update released (26 May 2026)

Risk: Low | User Impact: Low | Admin Impact: Low

A new Current Channel update began rolling out on 26 May 2026. Organisations on automatic CDN updates require no action. Those managing updates manually can download and deploy now.

Admin Action: No action | Comms Action: No comms needed

Key dates: 26 May 2026 | ID: MC1323310 | Published: 27 May 2026

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Planner agent reaches general availability for licensed Copilot users

Risk: Low | User Impact: Medium | Admin Impact: Low

Planner agent is now GA in Microsoft 365 Copilot, letting users create, update, and manage personal tasks and shared plans using natural language. Preinstalled by default for all licensed Copilot users per-group restriction is no longer available. Admins can only block it at tenant level. Interactive task cards require user confirmation before changes are applied. Helpdesk teams and users should be briefed on the capability.

Admin Action: Review | Comms Action: Communicate to users

Key dates: Mid-June 2026 (rollout start), Late June 2026 (rollout complete) | ID: MC1323264 | Published: 26 May 2026

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Thank you and go well, Anthony

Disclaimer: Everything here is shared to help you understand your options and help you to make informed decisions. It's informational only, not prescriptive. Your organization's unique context, existing configuration and processes, risk appetite, and team capabilities always matter most when deciding what's right for you and your organization. This is intended for your personal use only and not commercial gain. This is a filtered view of the updates.