This resource provides an overview of Microsoft service changes scheduled to begin in February 2026, with additional changes anticipated in the following months.
These changes are implemented directly by Microsoft and may impact how WSU faculty, staff, and students access or use Microsoft 365 services.
While Microsoft may publish general timelines for these changes, specific dates for when they will impact WSU Microsoft services are not always available in advance.
For any questions or technical support, please submit a request to Crimson Service Desk.
February 2026
Outlook on the Web
Between February 2026 and mid-March 2026, Microsoft will update the People hub in Outlook on the web to a new experience. This feature allows users to manage Outlook contacts via a web browser.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- By March 2026:
- Microsoft will automatically enable the New Contacts experience in the People hub.
- Microsoft will remove the toggle to disable the New Contacts experience.
- The People hub will have an updated, multi-column layout and improved search capabilities.
- The People hub will incorporate organizational profile data into contact details where available.
- The People hub will automatically link to duplicate contacts.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users managing contacts in Outlook on the web. However, users can enable the New Contacts experience before this update to become familiar with the new experience.
Support Resources
March 2026
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended for Windows
Effective March 10, 2026, the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended will reach end of support. This channel allows administrators to install updates and new features for university-managed devices.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- March 10, 2026:
- Microsoft will no longer support the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended.
Required Action
WSU technical support staff utilizing the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended to manage Microsoft 365 applications on university-owned Windows devices must:
- Identify Impacted Devices: Identify all WSU-owned devices currently configured with Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended.
- Migrate Devices: Migrate user-facing or interactive devices utilizing Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended to Monthly Enterprise Channel. Monthly Enterprise Channel provides feature previews and supports N, N-1, and N-2 builds.
Support Resources
Outlook on the Web
Between early-March 2026 and late-June 2026, Microsoft will retire the OneView and TrueTime features from Outlook on the web. These features allow users to connect their personal and work accounts in Outlook on the web.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- By late-June 2026:
- Microsoft will remove OneView and TrueTime features from Outlook on the web.
- OneView allows users to connect personal email accounts to their work mailbox in Outlook on the web.
- TrueTime allows users to view personal and work calendars together in Outlook on the web.
- Microsoft will automatically disconnect existing connected personal accounts.
- Users will no longer be able to connect personal accounts inside Outlook on the web.
- Microsoft will remove OneView and TrueTime features from Outlook on the web.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing Outlook on the web with connected work and personal accounts must:
- Transition to Outlook for Desktop: Utilize the Outlook desktop application for Windows or Mac devices. These applications will continue to support the OneView and TrueTime features.
- Manual Access: Use separate web browsers to independently access personal and work accounts, and manually schedule corresponding events on work and personal calendars, in Outlook on the web.
Support Resources
April 2026
SharePoint Add-Ins
Effective April 2, 2026, Microsoft will retire SharePoint Add-Ins. This feature allows users to extend the capabilities of SharePoint websites through integrated custom solutions.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- April 2, 2026:
- Microsoft will remove the ability use SharePoint Add-Ins.
- Remaining SharePoint Add-Ins will no longer function.
- Microsoft will retire the ability to add, update, and acquire SharePoint Add-Ins via the public marketplace.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing SharePoint Add-Ins must transition to SharePoint Framework (SPFx) based solutions.
Support Resources
June 2026
Windows Secure Boot Certificates
Effective June 2026, several original Microsoft certificates used by the Secure Boot feature in Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)-based firmware will expire. These certificates are stored in the Key Enrollment Key (KEK) and Secure Boot Signature Database (DB).
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- June 2026:
- The following certificates will expire:
- Microsoft Corporation KEK Certificate Authority (CA) 2011
- Microsoft UEFI CA 2011
- If the certificates expire, Secure Boot-enabled Windows devices risk not receiving security updates or trusting new boot loaders which may compromise serviceability and security.
- The following certificates will expire:
Required Action
WSU technical support staff responsible for device security, firmware updates, and hardware lifecycle management must update the following certificates with their corresponding 2023 certificate versions:
| Expiring Certificate | New Certificate | Storing Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 | Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2023 | Stored in KEK | Signs updates to DB and Secure Boot Revoked Signature Database (DBX). |
| Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 | Microsoft UEFI CA 2023 | Stored in DB | Signs third-party boot loaders and EFI applications. |
| Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 | Microsoft Option ROM CA 2023 | Stored in DB | Signs third-party option ROMs. |
Support Resources
July 2026
SharePoint Alerts
Effective July 2026, Microsoft is retiring SharePoint Alerts. This feature notifies users when a file or folder changes in SharePoint.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- 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 Power Automate platform for alternative notification functionalities.
Support Resources
SharePoint Online
Effective July 14, 2026, InfoPath 2013 and InfoPath Forms services in SharePoint Online will reach end of support. InfoPath enables users to create, store, and manage forms and form templates.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- July 14, 2026:
- Microsoft will remove InfoPath Forms services from SharePoint Online.
- InfoPath Client 2013 will reach the end of its extended support period.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing InfoPath or InfoPath Forms services must:
- Migrate to a Supported Service: Migrate to Power Apps, Power Automate, or Forms in SharePoint Online. Please allow adequate time for completing all migration work manually.
Support Resources
September 2026
Microsoft 365 Office Apps
By late-September 2026, Microsoft will upgrade the backend service that powers the Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation features in Microsoft 365 Office applications.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- September 2026:
- The Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation features will no longer function on Microsoft 365 Office applications running versions earlier than 16.0.18827.20202.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing older Office application versions must:
- Update Applications: Update Microsoft 365 Office applications to version 16.0.18827.20202 or later to retain access to the Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation features.
Support Resources
October 2026
Office LTSC 2021
Effective Oct. 13, 2026, Office Long Term Service Channel (LTSC) 2021 will reach end of support. This is an edition of Microsoft’s core applications that is available as a one-time, perpetual purchase.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- Oct. 13, 2026:
- Microsoft will no longer offer updates, security fixes, or technical support for this version of Office.
- Applications in this version of Office will continue to function following the end of support date. However, using unsupported software could lead to potential security risks, compliance risks, system incompatibilities, and other issues.
Required Action
WSU users utilizing Office LTSC 2021 must:
- Upgrade to a Supported Version: Upgrading to and installing Office applications via Microsoft 365 will ensure you maintain security, compliance, and performance.
- Transition to LTSC 2024: If specific scenarios require a fully disconnected LTSC solution, users may upgrade to Office LTSC 2024. Office LTSC 2024 includes a subset of Microsoft 365 functionalities and will be supported until October 2029.
Support Resources
Windows Secure Boot Certificates
Effective October 2026, an original Microsoft certificate used by the Secure Boot feature in Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)-based firmware will expire. This certificate is stored in the Secure Boot Signature Database (DB).
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Timeline
- October 2026:
- The following certificate will expire:
- Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011
- If the certificate expires, Secure Boot-enabled Windows devices risk not receiving security updates or trusting new boot loaders which may compromise serviceability and security.
- The following certificate will expire:
Required Action
WSU technical support staff responsible for device security, firmware updates, and hardware lifecycle management must update the following certificate with the corresponding 2023 certificate version:
| Expiring Certificate | New Certificate | Storing Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 | Windows UEFI Certificate Authority (CA) 2023 | Stored in DB | Used for signing the Windows boot loader. |
Support Resources
Need to Know
Paid Service Grace Period
Microsoft is no longer providing an automatic grace period for paid service subscription renewals.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
This change will apply to all Microsoft licensing and storage pack purchases, including those made directly through Microsoft and those procured through CDW-G under WSU’s Microsoft Service Agreement.
Required Action
To maintain uninterrupted access to paid services, WSU departments must complete the following before July 1, 2026, and the start of each subsequent fiscal year:
- Renew before term end:
- Please Note: To ensure renewals are completed without service interruption, ITS highly recommends finalizing purchases by June 1 prior to the new contract period starting July 1.
- Renew the subscription, with or without changes, before term end to continue service.
- Finalize all Microsoft purchases through WSU Purchasing, CDW-G, or Microsoft.
- Ensure all purchases are recorded by ITS.
- Cancel at term end:
- No additional charges are incurred.
- Service ends immediately at term end.
- Customer data is retained for 90 days before deletion.
Support Resources
Office 2016 and Office 2019
Office 2016 and Office 2019 are no longer receiving new security updates, bug fixes, new functionality, or feature enhancements.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Microsoft is no longer providing technical support for Office 2016 and Office 2019.
Required Action
WSU users accessing Microsoft applications via the Office 2016 or Office 2019 suites are encouraged to transition to Microsoft 365 to ensure security and compliance.
Support Resources
Teach in Microsoft 365 Copilot
A new Teach feature is now available in the paid Microsoft 365 Copilot application for WSU faculty and staff.
This is a permanent, Microsoft-driven change.
Teach in the paid Microsoft 365 Copilot application provides educators with AI-powered tools to streamline lesson planning, create quizzes and rubrics, and design engaging learning activities for students.
This feature is automatically enabled for WSU users with a Microsoft 365 A1/A3/A5 or Office 365 A1/A1 Plus/A3/A5 license for faculty or staff.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users with a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license provided through their department.
Support Resources
SharePoint Framework Field Customizers
Microsoft is no longer moving forward with previous plans to retire SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Field Customizers from SharePoint Lists and Document Libraries.
After a detailed internal evaluation and feedback, Microsoft no longer plans to retire the field customizers from lists and libraries.
Required Action
No action is required for WSU users utilizing SPFx Field Customizers.
Support Resources
Support Resources
The following external, non-WSU resources provide comprehensive overviews of recent service announcements published by Microsoft:
Contact
Please contact Crimson Service Desk with any questions:
- Email: crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu
- Phone: 509-335-4357
- Online: Submit a Request