E5 Licensing
The latest E5 Licensing coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft to Scrap 1.5TB Limit on Auto-Expanding Archives for E5 Subscribers by July 2026
Microsoft has announced that it will raise the auto-expanding archive limit beyond 1.5TB for Microsoft 365 E5 customers, with a targeted release in July 2026. The change applies to worldwide multi-tenant cloud deployments and eliminates a major storage cap that has burdened heavily regulated organizations relying on Exchange Online for email archiving. The update is expected to streamline compliance workflows and reduce dependency on third-party archival solutions.
Viva Engage Web Composer Overhaul Slated for May 2026: What to Expect from the Redesign
Microsoft confirms a May 2026 target for the Viva Engage web composer redesign (Roadmap ID 558935). The update focuses on a cleaner interface and enhanced accessibility, aiming to improve the post creation experience for Microsoft 365 tenants worldwide.
SharePoint Page Editor and Property Panes to Get Neutral UI Overhaul in July
Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 566698 confirms the neutral UI will reach SharePoint’s page editor and property pane in July 2026. The update unifies the editing experience with the rest of SharePoint Online, affecting both default web parts and custom SPFx configurations. No administrator action is required, but testing custom CSS is advised.
Tesla's Autopilot Under Fire in Fatal Katy Crash: Lawsuit Alleges System Overrode Driver
A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Texas after a Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home, killing a 76-year-old woman, alleges that the vehicle's Autopilot or Full Self-Driving system may have overridden the driver's commands. The case highlights unresolved questions about who is legally responsible when semi-autonomous cars fail — the human behind the wheel or the manufacturer that designed the system.
Teams Desktop Users Get Pre-Meeting Mic and Speaker Test Starting Mid-2026
Microsoft is introducing a pre-join audio test in Teams desktop apps starting June 2026, letting users verify microphone and speaker functionality before entering meetings. The one-click test plays a chime and records a short clip to confirm audio routing, reducing common meeting-start disruptions. Available worldwide, it requires no admin configuration and aims to cut support tickets related to audio issues.
PowerPoint to Gain Native Brand Asset Management in July 2026, Streamlining Corporate Compliance
Microsoft has introduced Roadmap ID 566351 for PowerPoint, promising an in-app brand assets library for Windows, Mac, and web clients, scheduled to launch in July 2026. This feature aims to streamline corporate compliance by providing direct access to approved brand colors, logos, and images, reducing off-brand presentations. It integrates with Microsoft 365 governance tools, offering administrators granular control and real-time updates.
Microsoft Purview to Automatically Delete Departing Employees’ OneDrive and Mailbox Data
Microsoft has added a new Purview Data Lifecycle Management feature to its roadmap that will automatically delete inactive OneDrive and mailbox data for offboarded employees, targeting general availability in September 2026. The capability eliminates manual cleanup, reduces security risks, and ensures compliance by integrating with Entra ID disablement events while respecting existing legal holds.
Microsoft Teams Wi-Fi Check-In Hits GA June 2026 — Here’s What It Means for Hybrid Work
Microsoft Teams Workplace check-in via Wi-Fi reaches general availability in June 2026, automatically updating user presence based on recognized corporate networks. The feature promises seamless hybrid coordination but raises significant privacy questions around location tracking, data transparency, and employee consent. IT leaders will need to navigate regulatory requirements and internal culture carefully to avoid a surveillance perception.
ChromeOS Leaves Windows 11 in the Dust in 2026 Boot Speed Tests—Updates and Simplicity Win
2026 boot speed tests show ChromeOS cold-booting in 5-10 seconds, while Windows 11 lags at 20-40 seconds on similar hardware. The gap stems from ChromeOS’s lightweight architecture, atomic updates, and verified boot process, which avoid the lengthy update reboots and driver overhead that plague Windows. Enterprise IT and education sectors increasingly favor instant-on Chromebooks, pressing Microsoft to streamline Windows’ servicing model.
LibreOffice 24.2 Strengthens Its Position as the Subscription-Free Office Suite for Windows Users
LibreOffice 24.2 brings polished dark mode, improved Microsoft Office compatibility, and stability to Windows users, offering a compelling free alternative to Microsoft 365. The suite includes Writer, Calc, Impress, and more, all without privacy compromises or recurring fees. For those tired of subscription models, LibreOffice delivers professional-grade productivity with no strings attached.
SAP Crystal Reports Support Extended Through 2027: Why It's Time to Plan Your Paginated Reporting Migration
SAP has confirmed mainstream support for Crystal Reports 2025 will last until December 31, 2027, with a planned release in 2027, dispelling rumors of its immediate demise. However, this extended timeline should be used to plan a strategic migration to modern paginated reporting platforms like Power BI Paginated Reports or SSRS, which offer better cloud integration, security, and cost-effectiveness. A phased approach—starting with inventory, classifying reports as BI or documents, and piloting migrations—will ensure a smooth transition before support ends.
Microsoft Teams Adds 'Stay in Sync' Button to PowerPoint Live, Ending Slide Drift for Attendees
Microsoft is rolling out a 'Stay in Sync' button for PowerPoint Live in Teams, allowing attendees who have browsed away from the presenter's active slide to instantly snap back. The opt-in feature reduces meeting friction while preserving self-paced exploration, and it's expected to reach general availability soon after the initial public preview.
Microsoft Teams June 2026 Update Lets You Test Your Mic Before Meetings with Recording and Playback
Microsoft is adding a pre-join audio test to Teams, allowing users to record and replay a short microphone sample before entering meetings. The feature, set to arrive in June 2026, aims to eliminate audio issues in remote and hybrid work scenarios. It will be available on Teams desktop and web clients, with the recording processed locally for privacy.