Server Licensing
The latest Server Licensing coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft to Retire Exchange Online EWS: Start Hunting for Your Hidden Dependencies Now
Microsoft is retiring EWS in Exchange Online and will conduct temporary disruptions to surface hidden dependencies. Organizations must urgently audit all EWS usage, identify affected applications and scripts, and migrate to Microsoft Graph. This article explains the timeline, risks, and practical steps to avoid workflow outages.
Teams Store to Require Manifest 1.25 for New Channel App Submissions in July 2026
Microsoft’s July 2026 requirement for new Teams Store submissions to use manifest version 1.25 is a targeted Store-submission rule, not a blanket mandate for all Teams apps. Developers planning new public channel apps must update their manifests and test shared/private channel support, while existing apps and internal deployments remain unaffected for now.
Microsoft’s 2027 Roadmap Brings Archive Calendar Viewing to Outlook for Mac
Microsoft's roadmap reveals that Outlook for Mac will gain the ability to view calendars stored in Online Archive mailboxes, with a preview in May 2027 and general availability in June 2027. The feature is currently limited to the Mac client and does not yet promise full scheduling capabilities like meeting creation or free/busy visibility. IT administrators are advised to treat archive calendars as historical reference only until Microsoft clarifies the functional scope.
Purview PDF Screenshot Blocking Arrives in Edge: August 2026 Rollout and What to Do Now
Microsoft Edge will begin blocking screenshots of Purview-protected PDFs when viewed in the OneDrive or SharePoint web viewer, starting in August 2026. The enforcement relies on existing sensitivity label rights — if a label denies Copy or Extract, captures will fail. This article explains the scope, timeline, and practical steps for administrators to prepare, including enabling PDF sensitivity label support, auditing labels, and piloting with users.
Microsoft Sets August 2026 Deadline to Ditch Ubuntu 22.04 from Intune—Your Migration Starts Here
Microsoft has deprecated Ubuntu 22.04 LTS from Intune device support, effective August 2026. Organizations must migrate enrolled Linux desktops to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (the recommended default) or 26.04 LTS after thorough validation. The process involves more than a simple OS upgrade—it requires careful inventory, identity reconciliation due to potential device ID changes, and post-enrollment testing of compliance and Conditional Access.
Your Intune-Managed iOS Apps May Now Be Blocked: Here’s Exactly How to Fix Them
Microsoft's January 19, 2026 Intune deadline for iOS app protection is now actively blocking outdated managed apps. The fix depends on whether the app is from the App Store (update via vendor) or internally built (rebuild with the correct Intune App SDK or Wrapping Tool version, based on Xcode). IT admins must inventory apps, classify ownership, and test replacements before enforcing blocks.
Microsoft Intune Plans a Major Sync Upgrade to Shrink Response Times on Windows
Microsoft Intune is developing an enhanced Sync action for Windows devices that will trigger a comprehensive, on‑demand synchronization across compliance, policies, apps, and scripts. The feature aims to speed up incident response and urgent rollouts, but it will not fix offline devices or guarantee local processing success—admins must still verify outcomes manually.
Microsoft’s Overlooked Tool for Fixing Intune Enrollment Failures: Event IDs 75 and 76
Many IT admins assume that joining a Windows device to Entra ID automatically enrolls it in Microsoft Intune, but that’s not the case. Microsoft’s official troubleshooting guide reveals that a pair of event IDs—75 for success, 76 for failure—in a specific Windows event log provide the clearest indicator of what went wrong. This article explains how to use them to diagnose skipped enrollment, failed enrollment, or MDM conflicts, and outlines the precise prerequisites and remediation steps for both hybrid and cloud-joined devices.
Windows 11 24H2 Update Unlocks IT Control Over Start Menu Pins—and How Users Can Customize After
Microsoft's KB5062660 for Windows 11 24H2 introduces a Group Policy that lets IT define Start menu pinned apps via JSON, with a toggle to either reapply the layout at every sign-in or set a one-time baseline that users can then customize. The feature marks a significant shift toward flexible enterprise control, allowing organizations to tailor Start menus for shared devices, individual workstations, or exception groups.
Microsoft's Store Update Loophole: Why Blocking the Store Won't Freeze Your Apps
Microsoft recently clarified that blocking the Microsoft Store interface does not stop automatic app updates; admins must configure the AllowAppStoreAutoUpdate policy to truly block them. Even then, Intune-assigned Win32 Store apps may still update, creating a maintenance debt. With inbox app experiences now delivered via a separate Store channel, IT teams must treat Store updates as a managed lane with its own rings and monitoring.
Windows 11 26H1 Is Here—But It's a Snapdragon X2 Exclusive for New PCs
Windows 11 version 26H1 became generally available on February 10, 2026, but only for new devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Series processors; it is not offered as an in-place upgrade from 24H2 or 25H2. The May 14, 2026 Release Preview build (28000.2176) added Xbox mode, File Explorer enhancements, haptic feedback, enterprise policy controls, and driver security changes. For consumers, 26H1 is a new-PC exclusive. For IT, it demands a hardware procurement pilot instead of a traditional deployment ring, with existing 24H2/25H2 rollouts continuing unaffected.
Windows Server 2022’s Office Deadline: What IT Teams Must Do Before October 2026
Microsoft 365 Apps and Office LTSC 2021 support on Windows Server 2022 ends October 13, 2026, even though the OS itself gets extended support. This deadline forces organizations using RDS, VDI, or published apps to move their Office delivery to a newer platform. IT teams must inventory session hosts, address complex add-ins and profiles, and pilot migrations now to avoid rushing. The article provides a step-by-step plan, from identifying affected servers to choosing a destination and executing phased rollouts.
The Real Deadline Passed: How Microsoft’s Read-Only VLCM Shift Upends Partner Licensing Workflows
As of July 10, 2026, Microsoft’s VLCM and eAgreements portals went read-only for seven non-Enterprise Agreement volume licensing programs, meaning partners can no longer create, renew, or modify packages there. While the final retirement of the legacy interfaces isn’t expected until August or September, the functional cutover has already happened, and partners must now operate exclusively through VL Central to avoid customer delays and commercial incidents.