This resource outlines upcoming Microsoft service changes scheduled for September 2025 and the following months.
Unless otherwise specified, these changes are managed directly by Microsoft and may impact how WSU faculty, staff, and students access and use Microsoft 365 services.
Implementation dates for changes may be provided by Microsoft, but exact timing for WSU’s environment may not always available.
For any questions or technical support, please submit a request to Crimson Service Desk.
September 2025
Browser Privacy Changes
By late-September, 2025, Microsoft is implementing privacy-related changes in Chromium-based browsers (Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge).
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- September 2025:
- Upcoming privacy-related changes in Chrome and Edge will increase restrictions on local network access.
- Users accessing OneDrive for Web, Microsoft Lists, and SharePoint Document Libraries may encounter a browser permission prompt for local network access.
- Selecting Block for the prompt will result in reduced performance and loss of offline capabilities powered by OneDrive and Share Point.
Required Action
WSU Microsoft administrators must:
- Deploy Policy: Deploy the policy LocalNetworkAccessAllowedForUrls as soon as possible to ensure the browser permission prompt is suppressed for specified trusted Microsoft 365 endpoints and existing service functionalities are preserved.
WSU users who receive a prompt for local network access must:
- Allow Access: Select Allow when prompted to ensure performance optimization and all functionalities are retained.
Support Resources
October 2025
Outlook Lite App
Effective Oct. 6, 2025, Microsoft is retiring the Outlook Lite app.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 6, 2025:
- Microsoft will block new installations of the Outlook Lite app.
- Existing installations of Outlook Lite may continue to function for a limited time. Full retirement of the Outlook Lite app is expected a few months after October 2025.
Required Action
WSU users accessing the Outlook Lite app must:
- Transition to a Supported Outlook App: Install the Outlook Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Access to all existing email, calendar, and files in the Outlook Lite app will be available on the Outlook Mobile app.
Support Resources
OneNote for Windows 10
Effective Oct. 14, 2025, OneNote for Windows 10 is reaching end of support.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 14, 2025:
- Access to OneNote for Windows 10 (the OneNote app that is pre-installed on all editions of Windows 10) will be limited to read-only.
- OneNote for Windows 10 will no longer receive new security updates, bug fixes, new functionality, or feature enhancements.
- Continued use of OneNote for Windows 10 prior to Oct. 14 may result in degraded performance or notebook syncing issues.
Required Action
WSU users accessing OneNote on a Windows device must:
- Confirm OneNote Version: Open OneNote and check for the File option at the top left of the application. If the File option is available, a supported version of OneNote is in use. If the File option is not available, OneNote for Windows 10 is in use.
- Supported OneNote versions include the OneNote application installed with Microsoft 365, Windows 11, or installed via the Microsoft Store.
- Transition to a Supported OneNote Version: Download the supported OneNote application from the Microsoft Store or access OneNote via a web browser. Sign in using WSU credentials.
- Verify Notebook Migration: Open notebooks and confirm that all content synced correctly to the supported OneNote application. If any content is missing, return to OneNote for Windows 10, right-click the notebook, and select Sync Now.
- Uninstall OneNote for Windows 10: After verifying that all notes are synced in the supported OneNote application, uninstall this legacy version.
Support Resources
Office 2016 and 2019
Effective Oct. 14, 2025, Office 2016 and Office 2019 are reaching end of support.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 14, 2025:
- Office 2016 and Office 2019 will no longer receive new security updates, bug fixes, new functionality, or feature enhancements.
- Microsoft will be unable to provide technical support for Office 2016 and Office 2019.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users accessing Microsoft applications via the Office 2016 or Office 2019 suites. Applications will remain functional and available for use. However, users are encouraged to access Microsoft applications via WSU Microsoft 365 to ensure security and compliance.
Support Resources
Microsoft Office UWP Apps
Effective Oct. 14, 2025, the Microsoft Office Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are reaching end of support.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 14, 2025:
- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint UWP apps will no longer receive new security updates, bug fixes, new functionality, or feature enhancements.
- Microsoft will be unable to provide technical support for the UWP apps.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users creating, editing, and viewing documents via the UWP apps on Windows devices, including PCs and tablets. Applications will remain functional and available for use. However, users are encouraged to transition to the desktop or web versions of Office applications, or the Microsoft 365 mobile app for Android and iOS devices, to ensure security.
Support Resources
Legacy Outlook for Mac
Effective Oct. 31, 2025, the legacy version of Outlook for Mac is reaching end of support.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 31, 2025:
- Microsoft will no longer allow the use of the legacy version of the Outlook for Mac desktop application for licenses assigned via a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Users will no longer be able to switch back to legacy Outlook for Mac.
Required Action
WSU users accessing the Outlook application on a Mac device must:
- Confirm Outlook Version: Open Outlook and check for the Legacy Outlook toggle at the top right of the application. If the Legacy Outlook toggle is not available, the supported version of Outlook for Mac is in use.
- Transition to New Outlook for Mac: Open Outlook on your Mac, and disable the Legacy Outlook toggle to transition to the supported Outlook version. You can also select Outlook at the top left of the menu bar on your Mac, select Legacy Outlook, and confirm the switch.
Support Resources
Teams Web Sign-In
By mid-October 2025, Microsoft is adding new sign-in options for Teams on the web to support access using Apple and Google accounts.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- October 2025:
- Users can sign in to or sign up for a Microsoft account using their Apple or Google credentials via Teams on the web.
- Options to Continue with Apple or Continue with Google will appear on the sign-in page at teams.microsoft.com or teams.com.
- Users may be prompted to confirm whether they are using a personal or work/school account during the sign-in process.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU Teams users. This change does not impact the current sign-in process for accessing Teams on the web using a WSU email address.
Support Resources
SharePoint Alerts
Between October 2025 and July 2026, Microsoft is retiring the SharePoint Alerts feature that notifies users when a file or folder changes in SharePoint.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- October 2025:
- Microsoft will activate the SharePoint Alert expiration feature. Once activated, any SharePoint Alert will expire 30 days after its first run. Users can re-enable expired SharePoint Alerts and extend their expiration for another 30 days.
- January 2026:
- Microsoft will remove the ability to create new SharePoint Alerts.
- July 2026:
- Microsoft will remove the ability to use SharePoint Alerts. Users will be unable to extend or utilize existing SharePoint Alerts.
Required Action
WSU SharePoint users or administrators utilizing SharePoint Alerts must:
- Transition to Supported Features: Utilize SharePoint rules or explore Microsoft’s PowerAutomate platform for alternative notification functionalities.
Support Resources
January 2026
New Outlook for Windows
Starting January 2026, Microsoft is transitioning users from the classic version of Outlook for Windows to the new version of Outlook for Windows.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- January 2026:
- Microsoft will automatically enable new Outlook for Windows for all users with Microsoft 365 Education licenses.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users accessing the Outlook application on a Windows device. Users can revert to classic Outlook if desired.
Support Resources
February 2026
Microsoft Storage
Effective Feb. 4, 2026, WSU is reducing the storage limits for Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, and Microsoft 365 groups.
This is a WSU-driven change. Additional details regarding this systemwide change will be shared as information is finalized.
Timeline
- Feb. 4, 2026:
- WSU is changing the maximum storage limits for user groups across various Microsoft services provided by the university.
- Expected storage limits are:
Individual Services:
| Service | Students | Faculty & Staff | Affiliates & Hourly Employees |
| Outlook | 900 MB | 10 GB | 500 MB |
| OneDrive | 900 MB | 10 GB | 500 MB |
Shared Services:
| Service | Storage Limit (Per Item) |
| Teams | 50 GB per Team |
| SharePoint Sites | 50 GB per Site |
| Microsoft 365 Groups | 50 GB per Group |
| Shared Room Mailbox | 500 MB per Mailbox |
| Shared Equipment Mailbox | 500 MB per Mailbox |
Required Action
Users are encouraged to review and ensure their WSU Microsoft storage usage is currently, and remains, below the expected limits.
Support Resources
March 2026
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel for Windows
Effective March 10, 2026, the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended is reaching end of support.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Effective Immediately:
- The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview is no longer receiving updates.
- The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel is following a 6+2-month lifecycle (6 months of feature updates followed by 2 months of rollback support), intended for specialized, unattended devices.
- March 10, 2026:
- The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended will no longer be supported on March 10, 2026.
Required Action
WSU system administrators utilizing the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to manage Microsoft 365 on university-owned Windows devices must:
- Identify Impacted Devices: Identify all WSU-owned devices currently configured with Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview or Extended.
- Migrate Devices: Migrate user-facing or interactive devices utilizing Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview or Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended to Monthly Enterprise Channel. Monthly Enterprise Channel now provides feature previews and supports N, N-1, and N-2 builds.
- Plan for Updates: For devices remaining on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended, plan to follow the twice-yearly update cycle (January and July).
Support Resources
April 2026
SharePoint Add-Ins
Effective April 2, 2026, Microsoft is retiring SharePoint Add-Ins that offer unique extended capabilities when integrated with SharePoint websites.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- April 2, 2026:
- Microsoft will remove the ability use SharePoint Add-Ins.
- Any remaining SharePoint Add-Ins will no longer function.
- Adding, updating and acquiring SharePoint Add-Ins via the public marketplace will also retire.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing custom SharePoint Add-Ins are encouraged to transition to SharePoint Framework (SPFx) based solutions.
Support Resources
June 2026
SharePoint Framework Field Customizers
Effective June 30, 2026, Microsoft is retiring SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Field Customizers from SharePoint Lists and Document Libraries.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- June 30, 2026:
- Microsoft will remove the ability to use the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Field Customizers feature from SharePoint Lists and Document Libraries.
- Field Customizers will no longer render custom code.
- Column data will display using the default rendering based on column type.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing SPFx Field Customizers must:
- Transition to Supported Features: Transition to Column Formatting for visual customizations. Transition to Command Set Customizers or Application Customizers for scenarios requiring third-party code execution. Other SPFx extensions will continue to function as expected.
Support Resources
Need to Know
Outlook Mobile
Microsoft introduced a new unverified sender banner in the reading pane of Outlook for iOS and Android.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
When a WSU user receives a message from an unverified sender, Outlook Mobile will display a banner in the reading pane explaining why Microsoft flagged the sender and warning of potential impersonation.
This aligns with functionality already available in Outlook for desktop and web. This also complements additional safety messages like “External sender,” “Not on safe senders list,” and “You don’t often get email from this sender.”
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users accessing Outlook via a mobile device. However, users are encouraged to to report any suspicious messages to abuse@wsu.edu.
SharePoint Custom Scripting and Custom Publishing
Microsoft updated SharePoint Online to disable custom scripting by default for certain site templates and restrict creation and activation of classic publishing features.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
- Custom Scripting in SharePoint Online:
- Microsoft disabled custom scripting by default for sites created using the following templates:
- BLANKINTERNETCONTAINER#0 = Classic Publishing Portal Site
- CMSPUBLISHING#0 = Classic Publishing Site
- BLANKINTERNET#0 = Classic Publishing Site Blank
- CSPCONTAINER#0 = SharePoint Embedded Site
- Users can no longer:
- Use script editor web parts.
- Create custom master pages or page layouts.
- Microsoft introduced a new site-level setting that allows users to manage site property bag values without enabling custom scripting:
- Setting Name: AllowWebPropertyBagUpdateWhenDenyAddAndCustomizePagesIsEnabled
- Microsoft disabled custom scripting by default for sites created using the following templates:
- Classic Publishing in SharePoint Online:
- Microsoft no longer supports the creation of new classic publishing site collections.
- Users can no longer activate publishing features in existing site collections for both user interface (UX) and API interactions.
- Users can no longer use the following templates to create new site collections:
- BLANKINTERNETCONTAINER#0 = Publishing Portal Site
- CMSPUBLISHING#0 = Publishing Site
- BLANKINTERNET#0 = Publishing Site Blank
- ENTERWIKI#0 = Enterprise Wiki
- SRCHCEN#0 = Enterprise Search Center
- SPSSITES#0 = Site Directory
- SPSNHOME#0 = News Home Site
- PRODUCTCATALOG#0 = Product Catalog
- SPSREPORTCENTER#0 = Report Center
- SPSTOPIC#0 = Topic Area Template
- Existing site collections with classic publishing enabled remain unaffected. Users can continue to create new subsites and access these site collections as usual.
Required Action
WSU SharePoint site owners are encouraged to transition their classic publishing sites to Modern SharePoint sites to maintain compatibility and ensure long-term support.
Support Resources
Secure Time Seeding
To ensure proper time synchronization, Microsoft recommends administrators disable the Secure Time Seeding (STS) feature in Windows Server.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Reported issues may impact time synchronization for existing deployments of Windows Server 2016 and later. This may also impact time-sensitive workloads, such as Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) domain controllers, virtual machine (VM) hosts, and servers using time for critical functionality.
Required Action
WSU Microsoft administrators should:
- Review and confirm that time synchronization and monitoring are properly configured on all critical servers.
- Disable STS by modifying registry or Group Policy settings.
- Reboot any impacted machines and monitor for continued stability.
Support Resources
Contact
Please contact Crimson Service Desk with any questions:
- Email: crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu
- Phone: 509-335-4357
- Online: Submit a Request