M365 - August Changes - Undo IT Support

Microsoft 365 Updates - August 2025

The August update for M365 contains 25+ changes to the product suite, from new features, retirements and functionality changes. Some of which may cause disruptions to your organisation if you are relying on them.

Highlights

Microsoft Places Admin Center: New portal for managing buildings, rooms, and desks.
Outlook Drag & Drop: Move emails/files across accounts.
Azure AD Graph API Retirement: Migrate to Microsoft Graph by Aug 31.
Admin Consent Enforcement: Default app consent policies enabled.
Classic eDiscovery Retirement: Transition to new eDiscovery experience.

🔧 Retirements

These require migration or replacement planning to avoid disruption:

Azure AD Graph API: Apps using this must switch to Microsoft Graph API by Aug 31.
Classic eDiscovery: Organizations must adopt the new eDiscovery experience.
Excel Organization Data Types: Power BI dataset access via Excel will be lost.
Project for Web/Teams: Teams using these tools need to transition to alternatives.
Client Access Rules (CARs): Security configurations must be updated.
Speaker Coach in Teams: Users lose personalized feedback during meetings.

Impact: Potential loss of functionality, broken integrations, and user confusion if not addressed proactively.

✨ New Features

These offer enhanced security, productivity, and AI capabilities:

Purview DLP blocks Copilot on sensitive emails: Strengthens data protection.
AI-powered risk detection: Helps security teams identify risky AI behavior.
Sensitivity labels at SharePoint library level: Improves compliance and data governance.
Desk booking via Microsoft Places: Supports hybrid work environments.
Teams sign-in via Apple/Google: Simplifies access for diverse users.

Impact: Better control, smarter security, and improved user experience.

Impact: Potential loss of functionality, broken integrations, and user confusion if not addressed proactively.

🔄 Enhancements

These improve usability, transparency, and scalability:

Authenticator iOS backup: Easier account recovery.
Purview audit logs: More detailed tracking of permission changes.
SharePoint analytics: Better insights into content engagement.
Fabric user limits: Helps manage large-scale deployments.

Impact: Smoother admin experience and more robust platform management.

⚙️ Functionality Changes

These may affect workflows or require admin attention:

Signed documents saved in original folders: Reduces confusion in SharePoint.
Separate DLP settings: More granular control.
Exchange cmdlet output changes: Scripts may need updating.
Teams KYC for phone numbers: Adds compliance steps.
Graph API billing changes: May reduce costs.

Impact: Admins and developers need to review and possibly update configurations and scripts.

🚨 Action Required

These are critical deadlines:

Message Trace UI/cmdlets retirement (Sep 1): Update scripts and workflows.
Graph Beta API permission changes (Jul 31): Apps must be updated to avoid failures.

Impact: Risk of service disruption if not addressed.

⏳ Postponed Retirement

Power Automate email notification: Delay gives more time to switch to supported actions.

Impact: Temporary relief, but migration still recommended.

Undo IT Support are here to help if you have any questions regarding the updates to Microsoft 365 you can get in touch with us here!