M365 Weekly Newsletter

Issue #173

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How to increase your mailbox storage. Large mailboxes and storage capacities in Microsoft 365 can be daunting, but you can proactively manage your storage by monitoring mailboxes that are over 90% full and implementing three top recommendations. Encourage users to practice proper email hygiene, enable in-place online archiving to provide an additional 50 GB mailbox, and consider an auto-expanding archive for up to 1.5 TB of storage.

Switching Languages in Word: A Guide to Language Settings. Microsoft Word offers various language settings that can be applied to an entire document or selected text, making it ideal for multi-language documents. You can change the language settings manually, or by letting Word automatically change the language.

[FEATURED STORY] No admin access without MFA anymore

Starting October 15, 2024, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will become mandatory for accessing Microsoft Azure, Entra, and Intune admin centers, enhancing security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods. To ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted access, it’s essential to set up MFA for your tenant before the deadline. This change is part of Microsoft’s $20 billion investment to strengthen security over the next five years, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and better protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.

Disable MFA Option For Microsoft Azure Entra And Intune Admin Centers Is Not Available Starting 15 October 2024.

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Work Smarter: Copilot Productivity Tips for Inbox Management. Struggling with email management? Try out Copilot in Outlook to help you organize your inbox, catch up on emails, and even draft messages for you. With features like categorizing emails by color and summarizing recent messages, you’ll save time and never miss an important email again.

Copilot for M365: A Reality Check on Its Capabilities. While Copilot offers productivity enhancements, be aware of its limitations, such as not being proactive and lacking conversational plugins. To access advanced features like targeted results and SharePoint metadata, consider using custom Copilots.

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How to Set Up Mandatory MFA for All Users’ Entra Sign ins. Microsoft now requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users to improve security across admin centers like Microsoft Entra, Azure, and Intune. To implement strong, phishing-resistant MFA methods, configure Conditional Access policies for all users accessing these portals, ensuring uninterrupted access and enhanced protection.

How to Reset MFA Office 365. If a user loses access to their MFA device, resetting MFA in Office 365 can help them regain access. You can either use Microsoft Entra for a simpler process or opt for PowerShell if you need to reset multiple users’ MFA methods.

The Best Method To Enable Windows Passwordless Experience Using Intune. Upgrade to a secure, passwordless experience using Microsoft Intune on Windows 11 devices with authentication methods like Windows Hello for Business and FIDO2 security keys.

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Top Reasons to Choose MS Defender Over CrowdStrike Falcon. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) and CrowdStrike Falcon are both powerful endpoint protection tools, but MDE offers superior integration with Microsoft 365, making it the ideal choice for businesses heavily invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem. 

What is Customer Lockbox in Microsoft 365? Customer Lockbox in Microsoft 365 adds security by requiring your approval before Microsoft engineers access your data. You maintain control over sensitive information, ensuring its safety during troubleshooting. Enable this feature through the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Top 15 Vulnerabilities in Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365’s vulnerabilities often stem from misconfigurations and human error. To protect your organization, address issues like credential phishing, over-provisioned admin access, and bypassing multi-factor authentication, ensuring a secure and proactive environment.

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The Future of Exchange Server. Get ready for the upcoming release of Exchange Server SE in the second half of 2025, which will bring significant changes to the way you manage your on-premises and hybrid Exchange environments.

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DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

By September 30, 2024 – Business Connectivity Services (BCS) retirement in Microsoft 365. (Timeline and alternative solution)

December 16, 2024 – Retiring of Delve application.

End of 2024 – Mail and Calendar Apps in Windows will be retired. The new Outlook will be installed on new Windows 11 devices.

October 2026 – Retirement of Microsoft Publisher app which has been a part of Office Suite for years.

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.

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