Microsoft Sharepoint Server
The latest Microsoft Sharepoint Server coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Teams Android Management Moves to Pro Portal: The July Readiness Checklist
Microsoft is moving Android device management from the Teams Admin Center to the Teams Rooms Pro Management Portal, with TAC redirects starting in August 2026 and full retirement in September. IT administrators must verify that every Android Teams device runs Admin Agent AA 830, appears in the new portal, and responds to remote actions before the cutover to avoid management outages. This guide provides a step‑by‑step readiness checklist to navigate the transition.
Microsoft Purview's New Simulation Mode Aims to End Noisy Data Classification
Microsoft is adding a Classifier Simulation Mode to Purview that will allow compliance teams to test custom data classifiers on live tenant data without impacting policies. The feature, previewing in October 2026 and generally available in November, addresses common issues like false positives and performance problems, making data protection rollouts safer.
Microsoft Teams to Offer Split Attendance Reporting: Event Analytics Without Meeting Tracking in 2026
Microsoft is set to decouple attendance and engagement reporting for Teams events from the policies governing regular meetings. The change, targeted for August 2026, will let administrators disable tracking for daily calls while keeping the data for webinars and town halls, offering finer control and better privacy alignment.
Auto Attendant Voicemail Lands in Teams Queues App This August
Microsoft will surface Auto Attendant voicemail inside the Teams Queues app starting in August 2026, eliminating the need for agents to check separate group mailboxes. The roadmap entry pinpoints the release, and admins should prepare by reviewing group configurations and app permissions.
Microsoft to Allow Defense and High-Security Teams Users to Disable Auto Do Not Disturb When Sharing
Microsoft is developing a new toggle for GCC High and DoD Teams users that stops the automatic Do Not Disturb status during screen sharing, giving defense and government workers the choice to stay reachable while presenting. The feature, roadmap ID 567300, is targeted for September 2026 and applies to desktop clients on Windows and Mac.
Microsoft Teams Live Captions Will Get a Permanent Sidebar and Default-On Switch in August 2026
Microsoft plans to overhaul Teams live captions with a new right-side sidebar panel and a unified settings menu that includes a toggle making captions default-on for all meetings. The update, scheduled for August 2026 on Windows and macOS, aims to make captions more persistent and configurable without obstructing shared content. Admins should prepare for the change by testing the feature and updating internal documentation.
Microsoft’s Purview Will Soon Flag Sensitive Files and Suggest Retention Rules for SharePoint and OneDrive
Microsoft will soon surface sensitive data in SharePoint and OneDrive through Purview Data Lifecycle Management and recommend retention policies, with a public preview expected in August 2026 and general availability in September. The feature shifts compliance from a manual, policy-first model to a data-first approach, but admins must validate recommendations against real retention schedules before applying them.
Windows 11's Recording Toolkit: What Every User Needs to Know After Windows 10's Sunset
With Windows 10 support ended, Windows 11's built-in recording tools—Snipping Tool, Game Bar, Sound Recorder, Camera, and Clipchamp—have matured to cover most common screen, audio, and webcam capture needs. This analysis breaks down what each tool does, which users need third-party apps like OBS or Audacity, and the privacy and licensing pitfalls that trip up meeting recordings.
Why Your Windows 11 Microphone Still Isn’t Working—and the Multi-Layer Fix You’re Missing
Enabling a microphone in 2026 is no longer a one-click task—it spans hardware mute switches, OS permission splits, browser site blocks, and app-level mutes. Our analysis of Technobezz's cross-platform guide reveals the hidden pitfalls on Windows 11, Android, Mac, and conferencing apps, with a practical five-minute troubleshooting sequence.
Microsoft Restarts Planner Rollout in New Outlook, Tightening Task and Inbox Integration
Microsoft is restarting the rollout of Planner integration into the new Outlook for Windows, bringing team and personal task management directly into the email client’s sidebar. The feature, first announced in May 2026 then paused, will appear automatically for Microsoft 365 users in the coming weeks, alongside a separate expansion allowing cross-tenant message recall. The move aims to reduce context switching and give users another reason to switch from Outlook Classic, though significant feature gaps remain for power users.
Office 2019 for Mac Becomes Read-Only Permanently — What Apple Users Can Do Now
Microsoft enforced a July 13, 2026 deadline that made older Office installations on Apple devices read-only, blocking editing, saving, and document creation. Office 2019 for Mac is permanently affected with no update path, while Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 users can restore full functionality by upgrading to macOS 12 Monterey or iOS 17. The move leaves users on older hardware with only web-based Office or device upgrades as workarounds, and IT admins must verify that updates have actually restored editing capabilities across managed fleets.
PowerPoint’s August 2026 Update: 13 New Smart Layouts and a Streamlined File Experience
Microsoft is adding 13 new Smart Layouts, refreshing the theme gallery, and simplifying the file-opening process in PowerPoint, with broad availability in August 2026. The updates reduce design friction and streamline cloud-file access, benefiting everyday users, designers, and IT admins alike.
Office 2019 for Mac Permanently Loses Editing as Microsoft Certificate Expires
Effective July 13, 2026, Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac can no longer create, edit, or save documents due to an expired license-validation certificate. Perpetual-license users are locked into read-only mode with no update path, while Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 users can restore functionality by updating to version 16.83 or later. Affected users must now choose between web-based Office, upgrading to Office 2024, or switching to a Microsoft 365 subscription.