M365 Weekly Newsletter
Issue #144
☁️What’s on my mind
What will be the big talk this year in Microsoft cloud technologies?
I’d be willing to bet that Copilt will be discussed at length.
Later this year, when Copilot becomes available to the SMB segment, it will become clear whether Copilot is just a big hype or something serious and very useful.
What do you think of Copilot? Is it just hype?
I am preparing special issues on Copilot and other Microsft AI technologies. Would you read such content?
Have a nice rest of the week,
Matic Z.
☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace
Microsoft Rolling Out Copilot for Academic Licensees in Early 2024. Microsoft announced the 2024 release of two Copilot products for Academic licensees: Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Copilot. Starting January 1, 2024, Copilot for Microsoft 365 will be available to Microsoft 365 Academic A3 and A5 faculty and staff licensees, while Microsoft Copilot will become accessible in early February 2024 to all faculty users and higher education students aged 18 and above.
Master GroupBy In Excel: The Ultimate Guide. Excel (for now only in the Insider program and a function reportedly stopped working a few days ago) is introducing a new function, GroupBy(), allowing users to aggregate and summarize tables with just three parameters easily. This feature offers numerous calculation options, including the new PercentOf() function, and supports Lambda() functions for custom processing.
Dictate your emails in Outlook. Dictation lets you use speech-to-text to author content in Office with a microphone and reliable internet connection. It’s a quick and easy way to draft emails, send replies, and capture the tone you’re going for.
How to Use Conditional Formatting to Make Larger Values More Readable in Excel. Improve readability of large values in Excel by using conditional formatting rules for millions and thousands. This method ensures the underlying values remain unchanged while enhancing visual clarity.
How To Remove And Replace Background Using Windows Photos. Windows Photos has introduced new features, including an easy-to-use remove-and-replace background tool, Filmstrip, Timeline Scrollbar, and the ability to share individual photos with OneDrive.
☁️Sysadmin Stuff
Backing up and Restoring Entra ID objects and their attributes. The importance of backing up and restoring objects in Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) has led to various companies offering solutions for maintaining the availability and integrity of Entra ID. These solutions cater to both Hybrid Identity and Cloud-Only scenarios, ensuring that critical data is not lost and access to essential services remains uninterrupted.
Understanding the Exchange Mailbox Folder Assistant. Exchange Server and Exchange Online use the Managed Folder Assistant (MFA) to automatically apply retention policies to mailbox items. It operates as a throttle-based assistant, ensuring that its workload does not impact server responsiveness.
Different Methods to Find Your Microsoft 365 Tenant ID. Microsoft 365 Tenant ID is a vital identifier for organizations using Microsoft’s cloud services suite. It is essential for configuring applications, integrating third-party services, and managing security settings. You can obtain your Tenant ID through various methods such as SharePoint Online, Azure Active Directory, PnP PowerShell in SharePoint Online, Teams, and PowerApps. Having your Tenant ID readily available simplifies administrative and development tasks, catering to diverse preferences and roles within an organization. But you can make this process even more simple by using this handy tool: OSINT.
Changes in Google Chrome affect Microsoft Teams in 2024. Microsoft has issued a warning about upcoming changes to Google Chrome, which will introduce privacy sandboxing starting in January 2024, affecting Microsoft Teams experiences in the browser. The full rollout is expected by the end of 2024, impacting 1% of users initially. Microsoft recommends using the Teams desktop client if you are part of the rollout group to avoid any disruptions.
☁️Security & Data Governance
Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft DLP. Microsoft DLP, integrated into Microsoft Purview, is a comprehensive data loss prevention solution designed for cloud deployment and enhanced with centrally managed policy controls. When implemented correctly, Microsoft DLP can effectively fortify an organization’s defensive digital strategy.
Ushering in a Passwordless Era: Why Microsoft Passkeys are the Future of Secure Logins. Microsoft Passkeys are set to revolutionize login security and user convenience by replacing traditional passwords with unique, tamper-proof keys for each website or application.
Microsoft Highlights Certificate-Based Authentication and FIDO2 Security Advances. Microsoft has made significant strides in phishing-resistant authentication, with FIDO2 preview support for iOS and MacOS apps, Microsoft Authenticator FIPS 140-3 compliance, and Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA) advances. Microsoft Authenticator will support device-bound passkeys for phishing-resistant authentication in the first half of 2024.
☁️Noteworthy (long)reads
NY Times sues Open AI, Microsoft over copyright infringement. The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement, DMCA and trademark violations, and unfair competition due to the unauthorized use of its content. The suit claims OpenAI-developed tools, such as GPT, undermine the newspaper’s relationship with readers and revenue streams by providing Times content without permission.
MS-900 3rd Edition Free Chapters. Gain valuable knowledge and problem-solving skills for passing the Microsoft 365 Certified Fundamentals MS-900 exam with the 3rd edition of the MS-900 Exam Guide.
☁️Classifieds
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☁️On a Less Serious Note
☁️ Last but not least …
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