M365 Weekly Newsletter
Issue #207
☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace
Microsoft OneNote vs. Loop: 3 Reasons to Switch (or Stay). Microsoft Loop and OneNote cater to different needs. Loop excels in team collaboration with features like task management, real-time content sharing, and AI integrations. It’s ideal for modern workflows. OneNote, on the other hand, offers reliable offline access, flexible note-taking, and traditional productivity tools, making it better for personal use and visual thinkers. VIDEO
Microsoft finds new way to quietly get you on New Outlook for Windows without “forcing”. Starting in October 2025, Outlook will automatically transfer classic account settings to the New Outlook in the background, provided certain conditions are met.
Microsoft Project Online is retiring: What you need to know. Project Online will retire on September 30, 2026, due to its legacy architecture limiting innovation. You can transition to Planner, Project Server Subscription Edition, or Dynamics 365 Project Operations, depending on your needs. Project desktop and Planner remain unaffected. Ensure data backup and plan your migration early to avoid disruptions.
☁️Copilot & AI
Listen to an audio recap of your meetings in Teams. Microsoft Teams introduces audio recaps, letting you quickly review meeting discussions in a podcast-style format. Choose from Executive, Newscast, or Casual styles to hear summaries of key topics, decisions, and action items. You can include up to 8 meetings in a recap and access it across devices, making it easier to stay informed while multitasking or catching up.
Before Creating Autonomous Agents, try Scheduled Prompts! Scheduling prompts in Microsoft 365 Copilot simplifies repetitive tasks without the complexity of autonomous agents. You can automate internal workflows like sentiment analysis or approvals, but keep in mind limitations: a maximum of 10 active prompts and 15 runs per schedule. Admins can manage these via restricted environments and PowerShell. It’s practical for efficiency but requires thoughtful setup and maintenance. VIDEO
☁️Sysadmin Stuff
Getting started with Windows Backup for Organizations. Windows Backup for Organizations simplifies transitioning to Windows 11 and new devices by preserving user settings and Microsoft Store app configurations. It expands on Enterprise State Roaming by including settings like Bluetooth, Personalization, Accessibility, and File Explorer. Key requirements include Entra join and specific OS versions.
Exchange Server SE email signatures managed with rules. Managing email signatures centrally in Exchange Server Subscription Edition involves using transport rules to add company-issued signatures in transit. This eliminates user interference and ensures uniform branding by pulling contact details from Active Directory. However, limitations like stacked signatures, lack of personalization, and constraints on images or AD photos may require third-party tools for optimal results.
☁️Security & Data Governance
Introducing new security and compliance add-ons for Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Microsoft has introduced add-ons for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, enhancing security and compliance for SMBs. The Defender Suite strengthens protection across identity, devices, emails, and cloud apps, while the Purview Suite tackles data privacy, insider threats, and compliance. A combined package at $15/user/month offers up to 68% savings. Tailored for SMBs, these tools deliver enterprise-grade capabilities at accessible costs.
Azure mandatory multifactor authentication: Phase 2 starting in October 2025. Starting October 1, 2025, Azure will enforce mandatory multifactor authentication (MFA) for resource management operations via tools like Azure CLI and PowerShell. This builds on the March 2025 completion of MFA enforcement for Azure Portal sign-ins. Ensure users are MFA-enabled, update CLI/PowerShell versions, and use Azure Policy to assess impacts.
Microsoft’s Free Zero Trust Workshop to Build Stronger Defenses. Microsoft’s Zero Trust workshop equips you to adopt a security approach that treats all access requests as untrusted until verified. It includes an assessment tool for Identity and Devices, a strategy workshop, and a clear roadmap to implement core principles like explicit verification, least privilege access, and breach assumption.
☁️Noteworthy (long)reads
Bigger monitors, new challenges. Adding a 37-inch 4K monitor alongside a 32-inch and 27-inch display sounds exciting, but it introduces ergonomic challenges. Neck strain, awkward viewing angles, and desk bounce are real concerns. Rotating monitors or rethinking desk setup might help, but a deeper desk could be the ultimate fix for comfort and usability. It’s all about finding balance in your workspace.
Sysadmins vs AI – Who’s the Real Boss? AI has changed IT, tackling repetitive tasks and enhancing efficiency, but it’s not replacing sysadmins. While AI processes data and automates workflows, sysadmins bring critical thinking, environmental awareness, and judgment to the table. Together, they form a powerful team. AI handles the routine, freeing sysadmins to focus on strategic, complex challenges where human expertise remains irreplaceable.
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☁️On a Less Serious Note
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