Microsoft will consolidate the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel into the Monthly Enterprise Channel for Microsoft 365 Apps in July 2026. All affected devices will automatically shift to a monthly update cadence.
Starting in April, Microsoft will retire the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel from the Office Deployment Service for managed devices and from the Microsoft 365 admin center for unmanaged devices.
Microsoft has extended the Microsoft 365 Copilot app taskbar setting to include the new Microsoft 365 companion apps — People, Files, and Calendar. When enabled, these apps will be pinned to the Windows taskbar and automatically start on Intune-managed devices.
Microsoft will increase the Office transcription quota for Copilot users from 300 to 30,000 minutes per month. The quota is shared across Word and OneNote.
Starting at the end of January 2026, Microsoft 365 Apps must be updated to version 16.0.18827.20202 or later to continue using Read Aloud, Dictation, and Transcription. Devices running older versions will lose access to these features.
Microsoft has introduced new Trust Center controls in Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows to reduce risks from legacy protocols. By default, FPRPC is now blocked, while FTP and HTTP remain allowed unless users or admins choose to disable them.
Microsoft now offers the Microsoft 365 Copilot promotion without prerequisites. Additionally, customers with an MCA agreement can now purchase a Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise device license.
Users running Windows 11 with Microsoft 365 Apps in Current Channel (Preview) receive the new Microsoft 365 companion apps preinstalled by default, unless an administrator modifies this setting.
Microsoft is modernizing the Microsoft 365 Apps update channels on Windows desktop to improve update options and efficiency.
For Sensitivity Labels, the options for user-defined permissions in Word, Excel and PowerPoint has been modernized.
Microsoft will change the name of Outlook for Windows in July. The app in the start menu will be named Outlook (Classic).