M365 Weekly Newsletter
Issue #174
☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace
Microsoft Loop 101. Microsoft Loop is your go-to hub for organizing and collaborating on projects, with its core elements being Components, Pages, and Workspaces. Built on SharePoint and OneDrive, Loop integrates seamlessly into your Microsoft 365 ecosystem, making project management and teamwork a breeze.
How to Add Shared Mailbox account in Outlook. To fully manage a shared mailbox in Outlook, you need to add it as an additional account in the classic Outlook app, even if you have Full Access permissions. This allows you to configure settings like automatic replies and rules, which aren’t possible with automapping alone.
☁️Copilot & AI
Create PPT From Word PDF Files Using Microsoft 365 Copilot In PowerPoint. Microsoft 365 Copilot in PowerPoint is a game-changer for creating presentations with ease and efficiency. It leverages AI to help you start drafts, format, and enhance presentations using content from Word documents or PDFs. Features like Copilot Chat and template integration simplify the generation of informative and visually appealing slides tailored to your needs.
A Year with Copilot: What Microsoft Learned About AI at Work. Microsoft’s journey with Copilot over the past year highlights the transformative potential of AI in the workplace. By strategically rolling out Copilot to departments like sales, customer service, and HR, Microsoft achieved significant time savings and productivity boosts.
Microsoft Copilot Academy now available to all Microsoft 365 Copilot users. Microsoft Copilot Academy is now open to all Microsoft 365 Copilot users, offering a rich, hands-on learning experience curated by experts. With no need for a paid Viva license, users can easily access the academy via Viva Learning, available in multiple languages. Exciting updates are on the horizon, including content enhancements and customizable features for organizations with paid Viva Learning licenses.
☁️Sysadmin Stuff
No Practical Way to Disable OneDrive for Business for Users. Disabling OneDrive for Business in Microsoft 365 isn’t straightforward due to its deep integration across apps like Stream, Teams, and Whiteboard, making it the default storage for many functions. Organizations often want to limit access due to data governance concerns, preferring shared locations like SharePoint, but Microsoft’s strategy focuses on OneDrive as personal storage. Instead of disabling it, consider optimizing its use by implementing strategies for managing data, especially when employees leave, and enhancing user training on data management policies.
Group Writeback with Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync. If you’re relying on group writeback in Microsoft Entra Connect, it’s time to shift to Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync, as support for the former ended on June 30, 2024.
How to Manage Android Devices in Microsoft 365 Using Intune. Managing Android devices with Microsoft Intune is a breeze, letting you fully control company-owned devices while keeping them secure. In this video you’ll learn how to set up a managed Google Play account, link it to Intune, and choose apps to sync to your Android devices.
☁️Security & Data Governance
Gartner Named Microsoft Endpoint Protection Platforms As A Leader In Cybersecurity Innovation 2024. Microsoft leads in cybersecurity innovation, recognized by Gartner for its Endpoint Protection Platforms. Defender for Endpoint reduces attacks with features like Automatic Attack Disruption and AI-driven Copilot for Security. New innovations, including a Linux Agent and Unified Security Operations Platform, enhance protection across devices.
Scanning Networks with Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management. Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Monitoring (EASM) scans public-facing infrastructure for vulnerabilities without needing device onboarding, providing insights into exposed resources. Although effective in discovery, it lacks integration with the broader Defender suite and requires custom solutions for detailed reporting.
Top 3 Settings to Increase Microsoft Secure Score by 28 Points. To enhance your Microsoft 365 security, focus on three key actions: enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users and specifically for admin roles, and create Safe Links policies in Microsoft 365 Defender. These steps significantly boost your Secure Score, strengthening your defense against threats like phishing and unauthorized access. By following these recommendations, you can increase your Secure Score by 28 points and ensure a more secure environment for your organization.
☁️Noteworthy (long)reads
An update on our approach to tackling intimate image abuse. Microsoft is stepping up efforts to combat non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), especially with the rise of AI-generated deepfakes. By partnering with StopNCII, Microsoft aims to enhance detection and prevention measures in Bing, using digital fingerprints to identify and block harmful content.
☁️Classifieds
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☁️On a Less Serious Note

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