M365 Weekly Newsletter

Issue #188

---

Why have my files moved to OneDrive? Windows’ “Backup” feature often shifts folders like Documents, Desktop, and Pictures to OneDrive without clearly stating the change. This happens via prompts encouraging backups, which many accept, unaware it syncs files to the cloud. You can revert to local storage via OneDrive settings. While OneDrive offers file sharing and backups, some apps, like Word and Outlook, may face compatibility issues.

Your questions about NEW calendar in Teams. The new Microsoft Teams calendar offers enhancements like reminders syncing across apps (e.g., Outlook) and filtering options, but lacks true integration for features like layered calendars, full reminders within Teams, or meeting notes editable across platforms. You’ll still need Outlook for certain functionalities, but Teams continues to improve collaboration tools like polls and interactive agendas.

[FEATURED STORY] Microsoft Limits Exchange Online External Emails

Source: Exchange Online Gets Tenant-wide External Recipient Rate Limit.

The Big Picture. Microsoft is introducing a Tenant External Recipient Rate Limit (TERRL) for Exchange Online, starting March 3, 2025, with full enforcement by March 31, 2025. This limit restricts external emails to prevent spam and abuse. The limit varies based on purchased licenses, with trial tenants capped at 5,000 recipients per day. External recipients include those outside the tenant’s accepted domains.

Why is it important? The introduction of TERRL is crucial for enhancing security and preventing abuse. It encourages the use of services like Azure Communication Services for bulk emailing, ensuring compliant strategies. TERRL helps tenants avoid domain blacklisting and provides operational efficiency through new reports in the Exchange admin center. Microsoft’s telemetry suggests minimal disruption for most tenants, but preparation is advised to manage potential impacts.

---

Ultimate Guide to Customizing Microsoft 365 Copilot. This series dives deep into customizing Microsoft 365 Copilot for your organization, covering everything from no-code agent creation in SharePoint to advanced Graph connectors and declarative agents. Designed for IT pros and developers, the episodes increase in complexity, offering hands-on demos and practical guidance for integrating and tailoring Copilot to your unique business needs.

---

Remove Last Exchange Hybrid Server in Organization. Removing your last Exchange Hybrid server after migrating to Exchange Online requires careful preparation.

Microsoft Teams Phone Number Management for Direct Routing. Microsoft Teams now allows you to efficiently manage Direct Routing phone number ranges directly in the Teams Admin Center. You can upload numbers via CSV, define contiguous ranges, or add individual numbers, making it easier to track and assign them to users. The system also syncs with PowerShell updates, simplifying administration for large-scale setups.

---

Zero Fees to Reactivate Sites in Microsoft 365 Archive. Microsoft is dropping reactivation fees for archived SharePoint Online sites by March 2025, leaving only a $0.05/GB monthly storage cost. This change allows cost-effective access to archived content while preventing Microsoft 365 Copilot from using outdated data.

Introducing the Microsoft Purview Unified Catalog | Get control of your data. Microsoft Purview’s unified catalog transforms data governance by centralizing access to trusted, high-quality data across your organization. It enables AI-powered discovery, lineage tracking, and policy-driven access while ensuring compliance. With roles like data owners and stewards, it fosters collaboration and simplifies workflows, creating a seamless experience for both technical and non-technical users to leverage data effectively.

Advanced macOS Protection with Microsoft Intune. Strengthen macOS security with Microsoft Intune and CIS Level 2. Key measures include limiting browser history, disabling Siri, hiding Safari IPs, and enforcing stricter power management. Test configurations in small groups to prevent system lockouts, and document all changes. These advanced settings ensure robust data protection without compromising usability.

---

Microsoft Makes it Official: HoloLens is Dead.

Hear from Microsoft Security experts at these top cybersecurity events in 2025. Microsoft has ceased HoloLens hardware development, ending HoloLens 2 production but supporting it through 2027. Partnering with Anduril Industries for the U.S. Army’s IVAS program, Microsoft shifts to cloud and AI technologies to enhance battlefield awareness, decision-making, and combat effectiveness.

---

DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

October 14 2025 – Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise) end of support – source

October 14 2025 – Office 2016, Office 2019, Exchange Server 2016, Exchange Server 2019 end of support – source

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.

---

---

☁️ Last but not least …

Here are a few things you can do if you enjoyed reading this newsletter:

• Become a subscriber: m365 Weekly Newsletter Subscribe
• Explore past issues: m365 Weekly Newsletter Archive.
• Get in touch / Share cool M365 or other stuff: matic@m365weekly.com

Did someone forward this email? Sign up for the weekly newsletter here.

Click to subscribe