Frand Licensing
The latest Frand Licensing coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft: Rebuild Outlook Search Index or Expand Cache Before You Repair Office
Microsoft has refreshed its guidance for fixing Outlook search problems, emphasizing that rebuilding the Windows Search index or expanding offline mail cache should come before repairing Office. The recommendations differ for classic and new Outlook, reflecting their distinct search architectures. This service piece outlines the precise steps for each version.
Tesla’s 5G Patent Ruling Could Change the Price of Every Connected Windows Device
The UK Supreme Court has revived Tesla’s case against the Avanci 5G patent pool, ruling that pool licensing fees can be challenged on FRAND grounds even if the pool operator never made a FRAND pledge. This procedural win could lead to lower per-device royalty costs for 5G-connected hardware, including Windows laptops and tablets. IT administrators should monitor the case as it may influence future licensing costs for fleets of connected devices.
Tesla's Summer Update Brings Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to Your Driver's Seat
Tesla's 2026.26 Summer Update lets drivers join Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Discord calls via the in-car browser, while adding smarter navigation, Grok voice control of vehicle functions, and a suite of cabin entertainment upgrades. The update is rolling out now to eligible vehicles, with webcam support limited to AMD-powered cars.
Teams Admins Can Soon Force Attendees to Accept a Custom Message Before Joining
Microsoft will let Teams admins require attendees to accept a custom message before joining meetings starting September 2026. The tenant-level policy aims to enforce meeting terms and disclosures but requires careful planning by IT. Organizations should prepare now to avoid join friction.
Microsoft Whiteboard Countdown: Export Personal Boards by Sept 5, Enterprise Migration Ends Aug 22
Microsoft is retiring Whiteboard for personal accounts: editing stops August 22, 2026, and all personal boards are permanently deleted September 5 unless exported. The same August 22 date ends the migration tooling that moves older Azure-hosted enterprise boards to OneDrive, and the standalone Whiteboard app loses support on September 14. Home users must export static copies now; IT admins need to inventory and force-migrate legacy Azure boards before the deadline or lose the data.
Apple Wants to Peek at Why the CIA and FBI Bought iPhones—The DOJ Just Said No
The DOJ asks a court to block Apple from obtaining internal iPhone procurement records from 14 federal agencies, arguing they deserve greater legal protections. The fight could influence how enterprise device selection rationales are used in antitrust cases.
Microsoft Retires Viva Connections Legacy States, Moves Multi-Home Admin to SharePoint
Microsoft has announced that starting August 2026, management of multiple Viva Connections home sites will move from the Microsoft 365 admin center to the SharePoint admin center. The change retires the legacy draft and enabled states, upgrading existing Connections experiences to full SharePoint Home sites and simplifying administration. Admins should inventory current configurations and update documentation before the rollout.
Viva Engage to Get Custom Branding: Microsoft Set to Unify Look Across Desktop and Mobile in August
Microsoft is set to roll out tenant-wide custom branding for Viva Engage in August 2026, allowing admins to set a custom name, logos, and theme color via a new Brand Center. This change will unify the app’s look across web and mobile, making it feel more integrated with corporate identity. IT teams should prepare assets and watch for rollout communications.
Hands-On: Collabora Office Edits Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Files on Android Without a Cloud Account
MakeUseOf tested Collabora Office on Android and found it reliably edits common Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files locally without a Microsoft account. Though it has minor formatting quirks and can't handle advanced Microsoft-specific features, it offers a compelling free alternative for routine mobile editing.
Teams Chat Purge on Hold: Johns Hopkins Bows to User Pressure, Rethinks Policy
Johns Hopkins University has paused its plan to automatically delete Microsoft Teams chats after user backlash, leaving a published 90-day retention policy in limbo. The reversal highlights the tension between data governance and everyday workflows, offering lessons for IT admins on user empowerment and policy design.
Windows 11 KB5101684: Start Menu Glitches Vanish, Search Gets Smarter, Intune Headaches Cured
Microsoft’s optional July 28 preview update for Windows 11 (KB5101684) delivers fixes for Start menu reliability, smarter search, and File Explorer improvements, along with a critical patch for Intune devices falsely marked noncompliant. The update is available now for manual install and will reach all users in August’s Patch Tuesday release.
Windows 11 preview update adds calendar pause, screen tint, and critical MDM fix
Microsoft's KB5101681 preview for Windows 11 26H1 introduces a date-based update pause, screen tint overlay, Magnifier precision controls, quieter Widgets, and vital enterprise fixes including an MDM compliance correction and Bluetooth improvements.
New Outlook Now Opens Emails from Notifications in 5 Seconds, Down from 10—But Classic Is Still Instant
Microsoft has quietly halved the notification delay in New Outlook from 10 seconds to 5, but Classic remains instant. The fix, spotted in version 1.2026.713.100, is part of a wider effort to close feature and performance gaps before forced migration begins in 2027. Users who need split-second email access should stick with Classic for now, while IT admins should pilot New Outlook to gauge real-world readiness.