Microsoft 365 is rolling out a wave of smart new features to help your team work faster, safer, and more collaboratively than ever. From Copilot-powered productivity tools to enhanced security and privacy controls, these updates are designed to streamline your day and empower your organisation to thrive in the modern workplace. Coupled with our iWorkplace solutions, these innovations extend the power of Microsoft 365 even further - bringing tailored workflows, AI-powered autoclassification and secure knowledge, enhanced automation, and smarter collaboration to every corner of your organisation.

SharePoint

Smarter Tagging for Electronically Signed Documents in SharePoint Online

A new enhancement is rolling out for SharePoint Online: documents that are electronically signed will now be automatically tagged as ‘Signed’ when uploaded. This update also applies retroactively, ensuring that existing signed documents are just as easy to find and manage.

To provide even more clarity, two optional metadata columns are now available in document libraries:

• Electronically Signed: Instantly see whether a document has been signed.
• Signature Provider: Quickly identify which e-signature service was used.

This update is currently being rolled out and is expected to be complete before the end of November. These improvements are designed to make it easier for teams to manage signed records with confidence and efficiency.

For organisations seeking even greater control and automation, our iWorkplace solutions can extend these SharePoint enhancements – enabling advanced metadata management, automated retention and disposal, AI-driven autoclassification, and seamless integration with your broader information governance strategy.

AI Actions Arriving in SharePoint Document Libraries

AI-powered actions are being introduced to SharePoint document libraries, making it easier to work smarter and faster. Rolling out now and expected to be complete in October, these new ‘AI actions’ can be accessed directly from a dedicated button in the toolbar.

The new capabilities include:

• Generating document summaries
• Comparing files
• Creating responses based on prompts

These enhancements are designed to help teams save time, improve accuracy, and get more value from their documents – right where they work every day.

Sections with AI: A New SharePoint Authoring Experience

A new feature, Sections with AI, is rolling out to SharePoint, making it easier to create rich page sections using natural language prompts. This enhancement is designed to streamline the authoring process and help users generate engaging content more efficiently.

Sections with AI is currently rolling out and is expected to be available to all users before mid-November. Please note, a Copilot licence will be required to access this feature.

Table of Contents Coming to PDFs in OneDrive and SharePoint

A new feature is rolling out that will allow OneDrive and SharePoint to display a table of contents for PDF files. Users will soon be able to use this table of contents to navigate and jump directly to different sections of a document, making it easier to find the information they need.

This enhancement is rolling out now and will be available to all users soon.

SharePoint Automations Aligned with Teams Workflows App

Building automations in SharePoint with Workflows is being streamlined to match the familiar Teams Workflows app experience. The new, simplified interface will make it easier than ever to set up tasks like notifications, approvals, and file actions with just a few clicks.

What does this mean for users?

• Less complexity, more productivity: The updated experience removes unnecessary steps, so users can automate routine tasks quickly—no technical expertise required.
• Consistency across platforms: With a unified approach between SharePoint and Teams, it’s easier to manage workflows across different workspaces, reducing confusion and training time.
• Faster task completion: Automations for approvals, notifications, and file management can be set up in moments, freeing up time for more valuable work.
• Empowered teams: Anyone can build and manage automations, helping teams respond faster and stay organised.

This update has begun rolling out in mid-October and is expected to be available to all users by mid-November.

Pairing these new SharePoint features with our proven iWorkplace modules allows organisations to build end-to-end digital processes – automating approvals, autoclassification, file movements, and compliance tasks beyond out-of-the-box capabilities.

Expanded Document Processing Rules in SharePoint Libraries

The capabilities of document processing rules in SharePoint libraries have been expanded to give site owners and members more flexibility and control over content management. New actions – copy file to, move file to, and set content type to – are now available to all users with edit permissions.

Key benefits for users:

• Greater automation: Easily automate routine tasks like moving or copying files and updating content types, all based on file metadata.
• Time savings: Reduce manual steps and repetitive work, freeing up time for more valuable activities.
• Improved consistency: Ensure files are organised and classified correctly, helping teams stay compliant and making information easier to find.
• Empowered users: With these new actions, anyone with edit permissions can set up and manage automations – no advanced technical skills required.

This update has already been rolled out and is available now, making it easier than ever to manage and organise content in SharePoint libraries.

Content Management Assessments Now Rolling Out in SharePoint Advanced Management

A new Content Management Assessments feature is being introduced in SharePoint Advanced Management, designed to give administrators a clearer, more comprehensive view of site health, permissions, and lifecycle readiness – all from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.

With this enhancement, admins can:

• Quickly evaluate site health: Identify potential issues and areas for improvement at a glance.
• Review permissions with confidence: Ensure the right people have the right access, supporting compliance and security.
• Assess lifecycle readiness: Make informed decisions about site retention, archiving, or deletion.

The feature is off by default and can be initiated by an admin when needed, giving organisations control over when and how assessments are run. This update is rolling out now and is expected to be available to all users in early November.

iWorkplace’s governance frameworks and dashboards can be layered on top of these Microsoft tools, providing tailored reporting, compliance insights, and actionable recommendations aligned with your organisation’s unique policies.

Data Access Governance Report Now Available in SharePoint Admin Centre

Access to the Data Access Governance report has been expanded, making it easier for administrators to gain visibility into site-level permissions across the entire tenant. Previously only accessible via PowerShell, this report can now be found directly in the SharePoint Admin Centre under Reports and Data Access Governance.

Why this matters:

• Simplified oversight: Admins can now quickly review and manage permissions without needing to use PowerShell, saving time and reducing complexity.
• Enhanced security: Greater visibility helps ensure the right people have access to the right information, supporting compliance and reducing risk.
• Supports Copilot adoption: Improved reporting makes it easier to prepare environments for broader use of Microsoft Copilot.

This enhancement is available now, helping organisations manage access and security with greater confidence and efficiency.

Teams

New Protection Feature Blocks Unsafe File Types in Teams Chats and Channels

A new protection feature is rolling out for Teams, designed to enhance safety in both internal and external conversations. This update will automatically block messages containing weaponised file types – such as executables – in chats and channels.

This delivers:

• Stronger security: Potentially harmful files are blocked before they can reach recipients, reducing the risk of malware and cyber threats.
• Clear notifications: Recipients will see a notification that a message was blocked, but will not be able to access the unsafe content. Senders are also notified and can edit and resend their message without the blocked file.
• Flexible control: This feature is off by default and can be enabled by admins in the Teams Admin Centre under Settings and Policies > Messaging Settings > Messaging Safety.

This update will begin rolling out in early November and is expected to be available to all users before mid-November, helping organisations keep their digital communications safer and more secure.

Prevent Screen Capture: New Teams Premium Feature Enhances Meeting Security

A new Teams Premium feature – Prevent Screen Capture – is rolling out to help organisations better protect sensitive meeting content. This capability allows meeting organisers to block screenshots and recordings across supported platforms, ensuring confidential information stays secure during Teams calls.

Key benefits for your organisation:

• Enhanced confidentiality: Prevents unauthorised sharing of sensitive discussions, documents, or visuals by blocking screen captures and recordings.
• Stronger compliance: Supports organisational policies and regulatory requirements for data protection and privacy.
• Greater control: Meeting organisers can enable this feature as needed, tailoring protection to the sensitivity of each meeting.
• Peace of mind: Teams can collaborate more confidently, knowing that confidential information is safeguarded.

This update is expected to be fully rolled out before the end of October, providing organisations with an extra layer of security for their most important conversations.

 

Copilot Without Transcription to Become Default in Meetings

A new update is rolling out that will make Copilot without transcription the default setting for meetings where Copilot is enabled. Additionally, conversation history will now persist throughout the meeting, making it easier to reference previous discussions and maintain context.

What this means:

• Enhanced privacy: By default, meetings will not be transcribed, helping organisations better manage sensitive information and comply with privacy requirements.
• Stronger compliance: Reduces the risk of sensitive conversations being recorded or stored unintentionally, supporting organisational data protection policies.
• Simplified administration: Default settings reduce the need for manual configuration, making it easier for IT teams to manage meeting privacy.

How this benefits users:

• Continuous context: Persistent conversation history ensures important points and action items are always accessible during the meeting, supporting more effective collaboration and decision-making.
• Seamless experience: Users can access Copilot’s AI-powered assistance without worrying about automatic transcription, allowing them to focus on the discussion.
• Greater control: Users can participate in meetings with confidence, knowing their conversations are not being transcribed by default.

This change is rolling out in early November and is expected to be complete before mid-November, helping organisations and users balance productivity with privacy and compliance.

 

Copilot On/Off Toggle Empowers Users with Greater Control in Teams Meetings

A new Copilot On/Off toggle is coming to Teams meetings, giving users more flexibility and control over when AI assistance is active. By selecting the Copilot icon at the top of the meeting window and choosing ‘Turn off for everyone’ from the menu, meeting organisers can easily manage Copilot’s participation.

How this benefits you and your organisation:

• Enhanced privacy: When Copilot is turned off, it will not have access to anything said or shown during that period, helping protect sensitive discussions and content.
• User empowerment: Meeting organisers can decide when Copilot is active, tailoring AI support to the needs of each meeting.
• Clear boundaries: After the meeting ends, Copilot will only have access to chat content and any recordings or transcripts created while it was active, ensuring transparency and control over information sharing.

This update puts privacy and flexibility in the hands of users, supporting more secure and confident collaboration in Teams meetings.

 

New Organiser Controls Toolbar Streamlines Teams Meeting Management

A new Organiser Controls toolbar is rolling out to Teams, making it easier for meeting organisers to manage in-meeting settings and features. This streamlined toolbar puts important controls at your fingertips, allowing for more efficient and confident meeting management.

Key benefits:

• Simplified meeting management: Quickly access and adjust key settings without navigating through multiple menus, saving time and reducing distractions.
• Greater control: Organisers can respond to meeting needs in real time, helping ensure meetings run smoothly and stay on track.
• Improved participant experience: With more efficient management tools, organisers can focus on facilitating productive discussions and supporting participant engagement.

This update is expected to be available to all users before the end of October, helping teams run meetings with greater ease and effectiveness.

 

Collaborative Notes (Powered by Loop) Transform Teamwork in Teams

Collaborative Notes, powered by Microsoft Loop, are now rolling out to Teams –bringing a new level of real-time collaboration to meetings and group chats. This feature allows users to co-create and edit notes, agendas, and action items directly within the Teams chat interface, all in one place.

Why should organisations look to use Collaborative Notes?

• Seamless collaboration: Teams can work together on meeting notes, agendas, and action items in real time, reducing the need for follow-up emails and scattered documents.
• Greater alignment: Everyone stays on the same page, with shared notes and tasks visible to all participants, helping drive accountability and follow-through.
• Integrated experience: The new ‘Notes’ tab in group chats makes it easy to create and collaborate on Loop components without leaving Teams.
• Flexible management: Admins can manage this feature through the Teams Admin Centre and disable it at the tenant level if needed, ensuring it fits organisational policies.

This update has begun rolling out and is expected to be available to all users before the end of October. Collaborative Notes make it easier than ever to capture ideas, assign actions, and keep teams moving forward – together.

 

Automatic Work Location Updates with Wi-Fi: Opt-In Feature for Smarter Workplace Management

A new feature is rolling out that enables automatic work location updates based on office Wi-Fi connections. When enabled, this capability can automatically set a user’s work location to reflect the building they are working in – making it easier to keep workplace information accurate and up to date.

This feature is rolling out soon and can be enabled and configured to fit your organisation’s needs, helping create a smarter, more connected workplace.

 

Stronger Protection Against Phishing in Teams

Staying safe online just got easier. Teams will soon help protect you from phishing attacks by detecting and warning you about malicious links shared in chats and channels. If a suspicious URL is detected, you’ll receive a warning before clicking – helping you avoid potential threats.

This feature is opt-in and requires users to enable it. The best part? Link protection is enforced if at least one participant in the conversation has it turned on, so your team benefits from added security even if not everyone has enabled it yet.

The update begins rolling out in November and is expected to be complete before mid-November. Take a moment to enable this feature and help keep your conversations – and your organisation – safer.

Send One-Way Messages to Attendees in the Lobby with Lobby Chat

Meeting organisers can now communicate more effectively with attendees waiting in the lobby. With the new Lobby chat feature, organisers can send one-way messages to keep attendees informed – whether it’s sharing updates, instructions, or simply letting them know the meeting will begin soon.

This feature is available now, making it easier to manage meetings and create a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Planner

Stronger Privacy in Planner with Enhanced Information Barriers

Planner now offers improved privacy controls in response to concerns about visibility when sharing a Plan. With the latest update, Information Barriers can be set up so that only people within your assigned group are discoverable – no more full lists of tenant members.

This means you can collaborate with confidence, knowing your team’s information is only visible to the right people. It’s a simple way to keep your work private and your projects secure.

 

Purview

Easier, More Secure File Sharing with Sensitivity Labels Across M365

Sharing sensitive files just got simpler and safer. Microsoft now supports sharing files protected with Purview sensitivity labels across M365 cloud boundaries. This means recipients can view, edit, print, and interact with documents based on the permissions set by the file owner – no matter where they are in the M365 cloud.

This update makes it easier to collaborate securely with partners and colleagues outside your organisation, while still maintaining control over your sensitive information. The rollout is expected to be complete before the end of October, so you can start sharing with confidence.

Pairing Microsoft Purview with iWorkplace Autoclassify enables automated, AI-driven classification and lifecycle management – ensuring sensitive files are not only labelled but also governed and protected throughout their lifecycle.

 

New Email Indicators Strengthen Data Leak Detection in Purview

Protecting sensitive business information is more important than ever. To help organisations stay ahead of potential data leaks, two new email indicators are being introduced as triggers for data exfiltration detection in Microsoft Purview.

These indicators are designed to identify when users send business-sensitive attachments to personal or public email domains – one of the most common ways data can leave your organisation without authorisation. By enabling these triggers from the IRM settings page, admins can receive early warnings and take action before sensitive information is exposed.

This feature will begin rolling out in early December and is expected to be available to all users by the end of December. With these new indicators, organisations can strengthen their data protection strategy and respond faster to potential risks.

 

Automate File Cleanup in OneDrive and SharePoint

Managing digital clutter just got easier. Soon, admins will be able to automatically apply retention labels or policies to files in OneDrive and SharePoint that haven’t been accessed by anyone in the organisation for a specified period of time.

This means less manual work and more confidence that outdated or unused files are handled according to your organisation’s policies – helping reduce storage costs, support compliance, and keep your workspace organised.
This feature will begin rolling out in mid-December and is expected to be available to all users before 2026. It’s a simple way to keep your content lifecycle management running smoothly, so you can focus on what matters most.

Pairing this with iWorkplace Smart Labels gives you even more control. Smart Labels automate how long a file must be kept and what should happen to it over time. Used together, these tools provide end-to-end management – ensuring your files are protected at the point of sharing and governed throughout their entire lifecycle.

 

Power Platform

Protect Sensitive Data with Column-Level Security in Power Platform

Keeping personal and business-critical data safe is a top priority. Now, Power Platform makes it even easier to protect sensitive information by allowing admins to mask specific data fields using column-level security.

With this feature, sensitive fields – such as personal identifiers or confidential business details – can be hidden from view and excluded from bulk exports. This helps prevent unauthorised access and reduces the risk of data leaks, all while supporting compliance with privacy regulations.

Admins can configure which fields are masked, ensuring that only authorised users can see or export sensitive information. It’s a simple but powerful way to strengthen your organisation’s data protection strategy and give users greater confidence in how their information is handled.

This feature is available now, so you can start protecting your sensitive data today.

 

Copilot

A New Library Experience for Microsoft 365 Copilot: All Your AI Content, Organised

Finding your Copilot-generated content is about to get much easier. A new library experience is rolling out to Microsoft 365 Copilot, providing a single destination where you can quickly access all your Copilot-created images, pages, and more.

Why you’ll love the new Copilot library:

• Everything in one place: No more searching through multiple apps or folders. Your Copilot-generated content is neatly organised and easy to find.
• Save time and stay productive: Instantly revisit and reuse images, pages, and other AI-generated assets, so you can keep projects moving without missing a beat.
• Effortless collaboration: Share and build on Copilot content with your team, making it simple to keep everyone aligned and inspired.

This update is rolling out now and will be available to all users before the end of September. Get ready for a smarter, more streamlined way to manage your Copilot-powered work!

With iWorkplace Ask, you can supercharge Copilot’s value by enabling users to instantly surface the right answers and content from across your Microsoft 365 environment – making AI-generated and business-critical information discoverable, actionable, and compliant.

 

Hands-Free Productivity: Real-Time Voice for Copilot Chat Is Here

Interacting with Copilot just got even easier. Real-time voice for Copilot chat is rolling out now, giving users the freedom to engage with Copilot using their voice for a truly hands-free experience.

• Work your way: Speak naturally to Copilot and get instant responses—no typing required.
• Stay focused: Keep your hands free for other tasks, whether you’re presenting, multitasking, or on the move.
• Total control: You can interrupt or redirect the conversation at any time, making interactions feel more natural and responsive.

This update is rolling out now, so you’ll soon be able to boost your productivity and collaborate with Copilot in a whole new way.

 

SharePoint Agents in Teams: Knowledge at Your Fingertips

Finding the right information just got easier. SharePoint agents are now available in Teams channels, allowing users to interact with SharePoint-based knowledge directly through @mentions.

Why you’ll love SharePoint agents in Teams:

• Instant answers: Get the information you need from SharePoint without leaving your Teams conversation.
• Seamless collaboration: Ask questions or retrieve documents using @mentions, making it simple to keep everyone on the same page.
• Time saved: No more switching between apps or searching through multiple sites—your SharePoint knowledge is now just a message away.

Start making the most of your organisation’s knowledge right from your Teams channels today!