M365 Weekly Newsletter
Issue #148
☁️What’s on my mind
To be license compliant or not. That is the question. But it shouldn’t be.
In many cases, Microsoft allows an entire organization to use a feature with just one license.
An example of this is Conditional Access, which only requires one Entra ID Premium P1 license for it to be enabled for the whole tenant, for every user.
If Microsoft allows something, it does not necessarily mean that it is license-compliant. In the upper case, of course, it is not, and every user who uses Conditional Access must be properly licensed. The licensing requirement is that the license is applied to all users who make use of the feature.
Unless Microsoft says otherwise. And that’s the case with external and guest users as you can see below in a Featured Story.
Have a nice rest of the week,
Matic Z.
☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace
Try Microsoft Copilot for Less: Smart Ways to Save Money. Trying out Microsoft Copilot’s enhanced AI features for less money is possible with two alternatives: Copilot Pro and Copilot Free. Both options allow users to test the AI capabilities before committing to more expensive plans.
Enable Split Screen in Microsoft Edge to boost productivity. Microsoft Edge now offers a split-screen feature that allows you to work on multiple tasks side-by-side in one browsing tab, boosting productivity and multitasking efficiency. This feature is available on Linux, Mac, and Windows builds and can be enabled through the browser settings or experimental features.
Add Shortcut to OneDrive vs. Add Shortcut to My Files. Discover “Add Shortcut to My Files,” a feature for creating bookmark links to files in SharePoint document libraries. It’s similar to “Add Shortcut to OneDrive” but offers a more streamlined workflow and flexibility in adding shortcuts to various locations.
10 Essential Tips for Using OneDrive at Work or School. Maximize your OneDrive experience with these ten essential tips, including using the new views for easy file access, protecting files with Folder Backup, and accessing files directly through Microsoft Teams.
How to Manage Tasks & Plans using Microsoft Loop. Improve your task management skills with Microsoft Loop by setting up and customizing your task list, and integrating it with Trello, Planner, and other Microsoft 365 tools. Implement the Kanban methodology for visual task tracking, enhancing both team collaboration and personal productivity.
☁️Sysadmin Stuff
Why are legitimate emails getting pushed into quarantine? Yes, many of us are wondering this and are stressed about exactly this problem… Let’s see if these masters have the answer.
Working with the restart grace period of Win32 apps. Managing the restart behavior of Win32 apps can be improved using the restart grace period. This feature allows you to determine the time after which a device requires a restart upon successful installation of a Win32 app.
Configure Auto-Claim Policies in Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365’s auto-claim policy automatically assigns licenses to users, reducing manual effort and streamlining access. However, be cautious of potential security risks, such as unauthorized purchases and compliance issues.
☁️Security & Data Governance
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Adds Agentless Malware Scanning for VMs. Microsoft Defender for Cloud now supports agentless malware scanning for servers hosting virtual machines on AWS, Azure, and GCP. This lightweight security option extends vulnerability assessment coverage without a dedicated assessment agent and is enabled by default for Microsoft Defender for Servers Plan 2 subscribers.
Five Truths in Veeam’s 2024 Data Protection Trends Report. In 2024, cybersecurity events highlight the significance of backups, with virtual machines and cloud-based workloads demanding equal protection. Recent Disaster Recovery tests reveal concerning recovery rates, prompting 54% of organizations to consider changing their backup solutions.
☁️Noteworthy (long)reads
How AI can help you banish bad meetings. Meetings can often be unproductive. Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools are here to help. By offering nine effective ways to tackle common issues such as running late, being unprepared, or having trouble synchronizing the team, these tools can turn you into a master of meetings and boost overall productivity.
Ignore the Hype Around Copilot for Microsoft 365 Deployments. Microsoft has removed limitations on Copilot for Microsoft 365, making it more accessible for organizations. Office 365 E3 and E5 are now eligible platforms, and there’s no need to purchase 300 licenses. However, be mindful of factors like data availability and good prompting when deploying Copilot to maximize its potential benefits.
Microsoft Attacked by Russian Nation State Actor. Microsoft experienced a cyberattack by Russian state-sponsored actor Midnight Blizzard, compromising email accounts and exfiltrating data. The incident emphasizes the need for regular app permission checks and increased security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, to prevent future attacks.
☁️Classifieds
The Sample. A whole new way of discovering exciting email newsletters. Sign up and you will get sample newsletters based on the interests that you’ve tagged.
☁️On a Less Serious Note
☁️ Last but not least …
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