Windows Autopatch Hotpatch: No Reboots for Security Updates
Overview:
A new feature in Windows Autopatch, Hotpatch, is now in public preview. This solution allows IT admins to apply security updates without rebooting devices. This update will streamline the update process while minimizing disruption culture.
Impact:
It’s a nifty tool that can apply Monthly B release security updates to Windows 11 24H2 devices in the background without downtime. It will maintain security while avoiding work-stopping restarts. IT admins can opt-in by enrolling devices through the Microsoft Intune admin center.
Action Needed:
No admin action is required before the rollout. But you should inform your users about the change. Make sure to take advantage of this feature and review your patching policies. In the future, Hotpatch will be a permanent feature to increase overall IT efficiency.
Microsoft Purview | eDiscovery: Export Enhancements
The Microsoft Purview eDiscovery Export feature is being enhanced to offer faster and more consistent ways to manage legal/compliance data.
What’s New?
By utilizing these improvements, you will experience faster and easier-to-use eDiscovery export.
Key Changes:
- Consistent Export Structure: A single interface for Standard and Premium cases.
- No Application Download Requirement for Standard Users: They can now download all the data from the browser directly.
- Faster Exports: Back-end architecture update for fast processing and unlimited ZIP file exports.
- Improved Reporting: Four new export reports available in various formats including .pst for comprehensive documentation.
- Additional Export Options: New. msg format for exports and a better distinction between SharePoint/OneDrive and Teams/Viva Engage export options.
- Deprecation of Some Options: Elimination of Azure Storage export and .eml format because they are rarely used and pose a security risk.
- New Report Columns: New columns i.e. Classification Types and Meeting Names, added to make export reports richer in information which helps with compliance.
When Will This Happen?
- Public Preview: Now in Public Preview.
- General availability: Full rollout anticipated by the end of December 2024.
What You Need To Do:
No action is required from admins prior to the rollout, but reviewing configurations and updating internal documentation is recommended. These improvements will speed up and streamline the eDiscovery process and are a direct response to feedback from their customers.
Viva Goals Retirement – Key Details
Overview
Viva Goals is retiring on December 31, 2025, with no new features coming after December 5, 2024. Microsoft will secure/patch the platform till end-of-support but stop developing it.
Impact
Organizations using Viva Goals should disable auto-renewal not to get billed post-retirement. As of December 5, 2024, however, no new features will be added, making it imperative that you start looking for alternatives.
Action Needed
- Disable Auto-Renewal
- Contact Support: For service plan or technical questions, contact Microsoft or email at info@winmgmtexperts.com
- Notify your team and update documentation.
Plan ahead to ensure a smooth transition.
Transition to New Outlook for Windows – April 2026 Update
Overview:
From April 2026, Microsoft 365 Enterprise users will be transitioned from classic Outlook for Windows to the new Outlook. The change will improve the experience by introducing recent features like Copilot, theming, and time-saving appointments like Pinning and Snoozing emails.
Impact:
This transition will occur automatically, and users will be able to switch back to classic Outlook as needed. This will be announced to users in advance, and they will be able to cancel the change happening in the Outlook options menu. Some users, for example, those on perpetual licenses or using on-premise accounts, will not be toggled.
Action Needed:
There is nothing for admins to do, as this is an automatic rollout. However, it is wise for them to make users aware and also update any related documentation. The “Admin-Controlled Migration to New Outlook” policy will let admins opt-users out.
Changes to Teams PowerShell Cmdlets – Prepare for Deprecation in 2025
Overview
Microsoft will deprecate the Get-CsDialPlan cmdlet and DialPlan attribute in Get-CsOnlineUser and LocationProfile in the Get-CsUserPolicyAssignment in Teams PowerShell in January 2025. This change will affect admins using Microsoft Teams Phone services.
Impact
- Get-CsDialPlan cmdlet will no longer be available for admins.
- The ability to use the DialPlan and LocationProfile attributes with the Get-CsOnlineUser and Get-CsUserPolicyAssignment cmdlets will be removed.
- These attributes were intended for Microsoft’s internal use only, so Teams Phone admins generally do not need them.
- Use the Get-CsEffectiveTenantDialPlan cmdlet to access the effective dial plan.
Action Needed
No immediate action is required of the admin. However, it’s important to:
- Let administrators know that changes are on the way.
- Update the relevant documentation and automation scripts that depend on the deprecated cmdlets and the attributes.
The change will roll out in early January 2025. It will be fully implemented by mid-Jan 2025.
Forwarding Messages to and from Channels in Microsoft Teams – A New Feature Coming in 2025
Overview
Microsoft Teams will soon allow users to forward posts and reply messages between channels. There are no limits to this new feature, allowing collaboration without restrictions on content types. The feature will begin rolling out in Jan 2025 and be available for Teams on Windows and Mac.
Impact
Currently, in Teams, you cannot forward messages to and from channels. Following the rollout, you will be able to forward posts and replies using the “More actions” menu (three dots). The forwarded messages can go to any chat or channel, including those listed in the people picker. This feature will be ON by default for admins but can be managed via sensitivity labels. It also helps admins prevent users from forwarding sensitive content outside the channel, as they can restrict message forwarding at the team or tenant level.
Action Needed
All users must be on the latest Teams build to access this feature. Although admins do not need to take any immediate action for this rollout, we encourage them to review their configuration and update documentation. Also, configure sensitivity labels in your organization to control message forwarding (if needed).
Enhanced SharePoint Embedded Container Management in Admin Center
Overview:
Microsoft is rolling out enhanced functionality in the SharePoint admin center to help admins manage SharePoint-embedded containers more effectively. SharePoint Embedded, an API-only offering, enables developers to tap into Microsoft 365’s file and document storage to build apps like Microsoft Loop. This new update for admins will also include new tools to manage containers related to these applications.
Impact:
With this update, admins will be able to:
- Sort/filter containers based on selected criteria.
- Add sensitivity labels to containers.
- Manage user roles within containers.
The user roles in these containers include:
- Owners: Full control over the container.
- Managers: Can manage content/permissions but cannot delete the container.
- Writers: Can add/update/delete content.
- Readers: Can only view content.
The update also brings features for managing active and deleted containers i.e. the ability to restore deleted containers and export the list of containers.
Action Needed:
- Assign the SharePoint Embedded admin role.
Review current configurations.
Forwarding Loop Components in Microsoft Teams: New Update
Overview
Teams is introducing the ability to forward messages that contain loop components across chats and channels. This update is rolling out from early January to February 2025. It lets users forward loop components easily via the ‘more actions’ menu. Users can also add permissions for the receivers so they can access the shared content.
Impact:
This new feature removes previous restrictions on forwarding loop components in Teams. Previously, users couldn’t forward messages with loop components, but now they can. The update will be automatically available to all users.
Action Needed:
No action is required from admins. However, it’s a good idea to notify your users about the new feature.
Retirement of .FBX and .SKP File Formats in Microsoft 365 Apps
Overview:
Beginning March 1, 2025, the. FBX (Filmbox) and.SKP (SketchUp) 3D file formats won’t be supported by Microsoft. This is because using outdated third-party transcoding packages comes with a security risk. After the deadline, users will be required to convert these files externally.
Impact:
- After March 1, 2025, users can’t insert .FBX or .SKP files into M365 apps.
- Previously inserted 3D models in these formats will keep working.
- Supported 3D formats like OBJ, STL, GLTF, GLB, etc. will remain available.
Action Needed:
- No admin action is required, it will happen automatically.
- We encourage you to notify your users of the impending deprecation of .FBX and .SKP file support.
- Advise users to convert these files to supported formats (e.g., OBJ, GLTF) before inserting them into M365 apps.
- Document any work that specifies these formats to reflect the change.
Enhanced Microsoft Lists Integration in Teams: New Link Display Features
Overview
Improved link displays are being introduced in Microsoft Teams Chat and Channels For Microsoft Lists, List items and List forms, beginning in early January 2025. The update will enable richer details, including list names, paths, and item titles, to help users identify and interact with lists more effectively. This feature is available for Teams on Windows and Mac desktops.
Impact
- List Links: Show List icon, list name, and path.
- List item Links: include the List item icon, item’s title, list path.
- List Form Links: Add the List form icon, form title, and instructions to complete the form. Users can also provide permissions to view or edit the linked list, item, or form.
As it allows people to access List data directly in Teams, the new experience helps minimize the need to switch back and forth between Teams and other apps and will enhance collaboration.
Action Needed
No admin action is required for the rollout. It will happen automatically.
However, admins should:
- Update the Teams environment to take advantage of the new functionalities.
- Let users know the new functionality will be coming soon and how it will enhance their workflow.
- Review any relevant sharing permissions for Lists, List items, and List forms in Teams.
The rollout is expected to finish by February 1, 2025, and the feature will be enabled by default for everyone.
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