Microsoft Roadmap, messagecenter and blogs updates from 17-09-2025

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Users will be able to summarize files with Summarize for me using Microsoft Copilot within one-on-one or group Microsoft Teams chats. This feature will work on common file types like Word and PDF initially, and other file formats will be added over time. This summarization respects the file’s security policies, ensuring that only users with access to the file receive a summary, which will carry the same sensitivity label as the original file. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 418564.

 [When this will happen:] 

Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late July 2025 (previously early July) and expect to complete by mid-August 2025 (previously mid-July).

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-August 2025 (previously late July) and expect to complete by early September 2025 (previously early August).

General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out mid-August 2025 (previously late July) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

Users will be able to summarize files with Summarize for me in Copilot within Teams chats.

This feature will be available by default.  

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically with no admin action required. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation as appropriate.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Microsoft SharePoint Page Analytics will soon be upgraded with new capabilities. This rollout will be targeted to SharePoint News posts only. All these capabilities will be made available to all SharePoint pages in future releases.

If you have a license for Microsoft Viva Suite or Microsoft Viva Employee Communications and Communities, you will have all the new capabilities. If you do not have one of these licenses, you will continue to see the existing metrics and charts in Page Analytics with a modern page design.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 488502.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late September 2025 (previously early September) and expect to complete by late October 2025 (previously late September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

This rollout will provide these new capabilities:

• Long-term data: Up to 365 days from current limit of up to 90 days.
• Breakdown by distribution channels: For all Page Analytics charts (including Unique viewers, Total views, and Average time spent per user), you will be able to see the breakdown by distribution channels (Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Viva Engage) where a news post was shared.
• Two new metrics called Reactions and Promotions. Reactions will indicate how many times have users reacted to a post and a breakdown of reactions by positive, negative, and others to gauge user sentiment for a post. Promotions will indicate the total number of shares, @mentions, and email forwards that a news post has received.
• Export analytics data: You will be able to export the analytics data to Excel or PowerPoint.
• Audience calculation: Unique viewers as a percentage of number of users to which the post was shared.
• Copy a chart as image
• Upgraded page design

This change will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. Review your current configuration to assess the impact on your organization. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

Learn more: View usage data for SharePoint pages and news – Microsoft Support (will be updated before rollout)

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

To improve meeting clarity and reduce confusion caused by connectivity issues, we’re adding a new Network Strength Indicator. 

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 414513

[When this will happen:]

Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out mid-November 2025 and expect to complete by late November 2025.

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): We will begin rolling out early December 2025 and expect to complete by mid-December 2025.

[How this will affect your organization:]

This feature will display your current network quality using a simple 3-bar system: Good (3 bars), Poor (2 bars), and Bad (1 bar). When your connection is limited, we’ll suggest actions to help conserve bandwidth and maintain meeting performance. You’ll also be able to see when other participants are experiencing poor or bad network conditions, providing better context for disruptions in the meeting.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

You may consider updating your training and documentation as appropriate.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Coming soon: A new .page file extension for Microsoft Copilot Pages. This new file extension will continue to support admin toggles, sensitivity labels, data loss prevention, multi-geo storage, Microsoft Purview eDiscovery, version history, export, audit logs, and data subject requests. The functionality and support for the .page file extension will be identical to the existing .loop file extension. The only difference is the file extension name and file icon.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot license or a Microsoft 365 license is required to access this feature.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494834.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): We will begin rolling out mid-August 2025 (previously mid-July) and expect to complete by late September 2025 (previously early September).

[How this will affect your organization:]

After this rollout, users searching for Copilot pages will see these files with the new .page extension and the new file icon.

For a comprehensive list of features supported, refer to: Summary table of admin management, governance, lifecycle, and compliance capabilities based on experience

The new file icon for .page:

This change will be on by default.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified date with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change.

Related Post: MC1056992 / Pages created in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat will open in Microsoft 365 Copilot app (published April 2025)

Learn more about admin controls for Pages: Copilot pages for IT Admins – Sep 2024 update | Microsoft Community Hub

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

We’re expanding the capabilities of the Researcher Agent by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks. This enhancement allows users to conduct complex, multi-step research across enterprise data sources—without leaving the Notebook experience—using OpenAI’s deep researcher model with chain-of-thought reasoning.

This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 493288

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-September 2025 (previously early September) and is expected to complete by late October 2025 (previously late September).

[How this affects your organization:]

Users who currently have access to the Researcher Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat will now also be able to use it directly within Copilot Notebooks. This integration enables more seamless, in-context research workflows, especially for tasks that require iterative reasoning and synthesis across multiple data sources.

This feature will be on by default for tenants with access to both Copilot Notebooks and the Researcher Agent.

[What you can do to prepare:]

No specific action is required at this time. This update builds on existing capabilities in Copilot Notebooks and the Researcher Agent. You may wish to inform users who rely on research-intensive workflows so they can take advantage of the enhanced experience.

[Compliance considerations:]

• Alters processing/storage/access of existing customer data? Yes – Researcher Agent may access enterprise data sources for research tasks
• Introduces or modifies AI/ML capabilities that interact with customer data? Yes – Uses OpenAI’s researcher model with chain-of-thought reasoning
• Provides new ways for users to interact with generative AI? Yes – Enables generative research within Notebooks

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

We’re introducing two updates to Microsoft Authenticator that simplify the sign-in experience and improve onboarding for Microsoft Entra users. These changes aim to reduce friction during same-device sign-ins and make it easier for users to get started with the app.

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): We will begin rolling out by late September or early October 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously early October).

How this will affect your organization

Streamlined same-device number matching

• Today, users signing in on the same mobile device as their Microsoft Authenticator app often encounter a blocker: the notification appears over the sign-in screen, hiding the number they need to enter. This forces them to tap “I can’t see the number” to proceed.
• With this update, that friction is removed. Users will no longer be required to enter a number when signing in on the same device. Instead, they’ll simply confirm the sign-in by tapping Yes or No.
• On Android, all same-device sign-in flows will support this streamlined experience. No number entry required.
• On iOS, users will also benefit from this change. When the SSO extension is involved, users will still need to switch to the Authenticator app to complete the sign-in, but number entry will not be required.
• Users signing in from a different device will continue to use number matching as usual.

Improved First Run Experience (FRX)

• The updated FRX consolidates privacy screens and prioritizes adding a Microsoft Entra account over a personal Microsoft account.
• The “Scan a QR code” option will also be more prominently displayed to simplify account setup.

What you need to do to prepare

No admin action is required. These changes will roll out automatically as users update their Microsoft Authenticator app.

Compliance considerations

No known compliance impacts. Please review internally to ensure alignment with your organization’s policies.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

Connectivity changes between cmdlets and other M365 services like SharePoint and Exchange will need a new flag to be specified. Starting August 31, 2025, customers will need to use at least Exchange Online PowerShell v3.9.0 and later, with – EnableSearchOnlySession parameter when running Connect-IPPSSession to run the following eDiscovery cmdlets.  

When this will happen

This change will take effect on September 19, 2025 (previously August 31).

How this affects your organization

To maintain functionality and align with modern authentication standards, customers must use Exchange Online PowerShell v3.9.0 and later and include the EnableSearchOnlySession parameter when running Connect-IPPSSession to execute the following cmdlets:

• New-ComplianceSearchAction
• New-CaseHoldPolicy, Set-CaseHoldPolicy, Remove-CaseHoldPolicy
• New-CaseHoldRule, Set-CaseHoldRule, Remove-CaseHoldRule
• New-ComplianceSecurityFilter, Set-ComplianceSecurityFilter, Get-ComplianceSecurityFilter, Remove-ComplianceSecurityFilter

This change does not impact users accessing eDiscovery through the Purview portal. These cmdlets also remain incompatible with Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA).

You are receiving this message because one or more users in your organization are actively using these eDiscovery features.

What you can do to prepare

• Update scripts and workflows to include the -EnableSearchOnlySession parameter when connecting to Security & Compliance PowerShell.
• Ensure your organization is using Exchange Online PowerShell version 3.9.0 or later.
• For more information, visit: Learn about eDiscovery solutions in Microsoft Purview

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

We’re introducing a streamlined experience for managers in the Viva Insights web app, which unites new tools and insights into a single location.

The changes include default- on access to a team-scoped version of the Copilot Dashboard and additional reports, along with delegation capabilities. Analysts will also be able to publish a library of embedded reports from Advanced analysis to managers, with each manager automatically seeing data tailored to their team.

This new web app experience will replace all manager capabilities previously offered in the Viva Insights Teams app, including the Organizational behavior insights and Copilot chat insights. Those manager capabilities will be phased out to provide a centralized place for managers to access insights.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 497111

When will this happen

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early October 2025 (previously mid-September). and expect to complete by late October 2025 (previously late September). 

How will this affect your organization

The Viva Insights web app will now serve as the single destination for manager insights, with new capabilities.

Key new capabilities in the web app include:

• Copilot Dashboard, tailored to the manager’s team, with pages for Adoption, Impact, and Learning.
• Additional Copilot analytics reports, such as the Copilot for Sales adoption report, tailored to the manager’s team.
• Analyst-published embedded reports, enabling managers to gain access to an extensive library of reports available within Advanced analysis, automatically tailored to their teams.
• Delegation support, allowing managers to share their view with others in their organization.

Managers using Organization insights in the Viva Insights Teams app will soon see a banner informing them of the new location to access these capabilities. Once these capabilities launch worldwide, managers will no longer be able to access Organization insights in the Teams app.

What do you need to do to prepare

No action is required by admins. Still, you might want to:

1. Prepare for default-on enablement of manager insights

• If you haven’t previously enabled manager insights, managers with 10 or more team members will receive access by default to Copilot insights when team views launch in late September. Admins can customize this threshold as needed (minimum allowed is 5) in the Manager settings tab of the Viva insights web app.
• If your organization has already enabled manager insights and set a minimum team size threshold, those settings will continue to apply. Managers who meet the threshold and are enabled by admins will automatically gain access to the new capabilities in the Viva Insights web app.
• If you wish to turn off this capability, admins can access Manager settings after this feature releases and set the “Grant managers scoped access to Copilot insights” toggle to off.

Note: There are no changes in the license requirements needed to access team-scoped insights in the Viva insights web app. This means that managers will continue to require a Viva Insights or a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. 

 2. Manage delegation controls

• If delegation is already in use by managers in your organization, existing delegates will automatically gain access to these new capabilities in the web app. Admins can manage delegation at the tenant or group level through the Microsoft 365 admin center.

3. Turn on report publishing

• Admins can enable analysts to publish a broad set of Power BI reports from Advanced analysis directly to managers, giving them access to insights similar to those that exist in the Organizational behavior reports, and more! To do this, your organization must opt into the public preview for report publishing.

4. Inform managers where to go

• A new, more powerful experience is coming. Let your managers know that these capabilities will soon be available in the Viva Insights web app.

To learn more, please see:

• Connect to the Microsoft Copilot Dashboard for Microsoft 365 customers | Microsoft Learn
• Microsoft Viva Feature access management | Microsoft Learn
• Configure manager settings | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

• Introduces or modifies AI/ML capabilities: Yes – Copilot chat insights in the Viva Insights Teams app will no longer be available.
• Alters how existing customer data is accessed: Yes – reports tailored to manager’s teams provide new access pathways to existing data.
• Includes admin controls: Yes – Admins can manage manager insights, delegation, and report publishing.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

We’re introducing the Microsoft 365 Copilot agents report, a new Power BI report available in Microsoft Viva Insights. This report provides visibility into the usage of declarative agents, which extend Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities. It enables leaders and admins to understand adoption trends across their organization and explore usage patterns for individual agents.

This new feature is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 488104.

When this will happen

Public Preview (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in early October 2025 (previously mid-September) and expect to complete by mid-October 2025 (previously late September).

General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-October 2025 (previously early December) and expect to complete by late October 2025 (previously late December).

How this affects your organization

The report will be available to leaders, delegates, managers, and analysts with access to the Reports page in Viva Insights. It includes:

A summary of agent adoption over time, agent responses, and usage by creator type, including a preview of top agents used:

Agent usage within Microsoft apps that include Copilot experiences:

A list of agents used in your organization, sorted by active users:

A deep dive into individual agent usage and retention, segmented by organization:

In aggregated metrics, insights from all in-scope agents will be included. To protect employee privacy, individual agent metrics will only be shown if usage meets the minimum group size threshold.

What you can do to prepare

• Review the impact of this report for your organization.
• Consider engaging your works council if applicable.
• Update training materials and documentation.

Learn more: 

• Copilot Analytics introduction | Viva Insights | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn
• Customize Viva Insights privacy settings – Minimum group size | Viva Insights | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn
• Declarative agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot overview | Extensibility | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

We’re introducing a new feature that enables AI-generated audio briefings for SharePoint news in Viva Connections. This feature provides users with a hands-free way to catch up on top news items using playback controls such as play, pause, skip, and speed adjustment. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to access this summarization capability. This new feature applies to Teams, Surface Devices, and Web. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 497142.

When this will happen

Targeted Release (Production tenants): The rollout begins on August 28, 2025, and is expected to complete by September 3, 2025.

General Availability (GCC, GCC High, DoD): The rollout begins on August 28, 2025, and is expected to complete by September 30, 2025 (previously September 15).

How this affects your organization

This feature introduces a new way for users to consume SharePoint news through AI-generated audio summaries of the top 10 news items. These clips will play sequentially in the Viva Connections app on Teams desktop and in the browser experience. This hands-free format supports accessibility and productivity for users who prefer audio content.

The feature will be on by default for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.

What you can do to prepare

• Inform your users about this new audio briefing capability in Viva Connections.
• Ensure eligible users have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
• Review your SharePoint news publishing practices to optimize content for summarization.
• No admin action is required to enable the feature.

Learn more: The news reader in Viva Connections | Viva Connections | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn

Screenshot 2 – Playback speed controls allow users to adjust the pace of audio briefings to suit their listening preferences:

Compliance considerations

Updated September 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

[Introduction]

The new Unified Permissions Management feature gives admins a consistent view of all required applications and delegated permissions, along with their associated risk levels. This enables clearer understanding of consents and supports more informed decision-making. From the Permissions tab, admins can now provide consent directly, and once granted by the Global Admin, the AI Admin Role can deploy agents.

This message is associated with Roadmap ID 502617.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout is expected to begin in late September 2025 (previously early September) and complete by early October 2025 (previously mid-September).

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: Admins managing agent deployment and consent in Microsoft 365.

What will happen:

• Permissions are now surfaced earlier in the agent lifecycle, rather than being embedded in deployment steps—supporting informed decision-making.
• Admins can manage these permissions directly from the Microsoft Admin Center (MAC), reducing workflow interruptions and improving operational efficiency.
• The AI Admin Role can deploy agents once consent is granted by a Global Admin.
• Each permission will display a risk level to help assess impact.
• Automation scenarios will be available to streamline low-risk agent enablement.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• Provide consent from the Permissions tab: Admins will be able to grant consent directly from the Permissions tab. (ETA: End of September)
• Deploy and consent independently: The AI Admin Role will be able to deploy agents once consent is granted by a Global Admin. (ETA: End of September)
• Review risk levels per permission: Each permission will display a risk level to support informed decision-making. (ETA: October)
• Plan for rule-based automation: Automation scenarios will be available to streamline low-risk agent enablement. (ETA: November)

[Compliance considerations:]