January 23, 2025
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Windows 10 Reaching End of Support; Extended Security Updates Offers Announced
WHEN: October 14, 2025
Windows 10 will reach end of support in October 2025 (except for select LTSC editions). Windows 10 will continue to function after this date but will not receive further updates. Options for your Windows 10 desktops include upgrading eligible machines to Windows 11 (if they meet hardware requirements), purchasing new Windows 11 PCs, or migrating to the cloud and subscribing to Windows 365. To ease with this transition, Microsoft will be offering Extended Security Updates for a maximum of 3 years. There are three options to buy ESU
- Traditional 5-by-5 activation provides a traditional activation key to apply to individual machines (which can be managed with on premises management tools to download and apply). This license will retail for $61 USD for the first year and will double for each consecutive year for a maximum of 3 years.
- Windows 10 devices accessing Windows 11 Cloud PCs via Windows 365 will automatically be activated to receive security updates.
- If you are using a Microsoft cloud-based update management system (such as Intune or Autopatch), you will be eligible for an ESU cloud activation license, available at a discounted rate.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Microsoft Places Released
WHEN: November 19, 2024
Microsoft Places, an AI-powered workplace app which enhances flexible work environments, is out now. It helps organizations optimize space management with occupancy and utilization data, modernize employee connections for in-office days, and support individual desk booking. Key features include work plans, workplace presence, in-person events, and hybrid RSVP. Microsoft Places offers core, enhanced, and AI-driven features. Core features are available with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription, enhanced features with a Teams Premium license, and additional features with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. You can read about which features are included in which products here.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Copilot Studio Now Available with Pay-As-You-Go Purchase Option
WHEN: December 1, 2024
On December 1, 2024, Microsoft introduced the option to buy Copilot Studio messages with pay-as-you-go consumptive billing through existing Azure subscriptions, which provides flexibility needed to scale and adapt to changing demands for this product. Customers can now choose to buy either the original Capacity Pack of 25,000 messages for $200 USD a month or pay for messages that you use at a cost of $0.01 USD per message. It is also possible to combine the two options, with the messages from the Capacity Packs being consumed first.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Azure Local Generally Available
WHEN: November 19, 2024
Azure Local is a software suite enabling users to operate virtual machines, containers, and select Azure services on physical servers or bare metal hardware at various distributed locations. It extends Azure Arc, Microsoft's platform for managing hybrid and multicloud environments. Azure Local is priced on a per physical core basis on your on-premises machines. Windows Server Datacenter customers with active Software Assurance, can choose to exchange core licenses to activate Azure Hybrid Benefit. Additional information on pricing and purchasing options is available here.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Windows 365 Frontline Shared Mode Now in Public Preview
WHEN: November 19, 2024
Microsoft has announced a new Shared Mode for Windows 365 Frontline, now available in public preview. The original mode, now called Dedicated Mode, is designed for users with staggered working hours, allowing up to three users to have personalized Cloud PCs per Windows 365 Frontline license, provided they use them non-concurrently. The new Shared Mode is intended for situations where a single Cloud PC needs to be used by multiple people for short periods on an ad hoc basis, such as for specific tasks. Only one person can use the Cloud PC at a time, and all user data is deleted upon sign-out.
Windows 365 Frontline is a separate product and isn't governed by the Microsoft 365 F1/F3 license eligibility conditions. To use Windows 365 Frontline, each user must be licensed for Windows 10/11 Enterprise, Microsoft Intune, and Entra ID P1 (either individually or as part of a suite). Currently, Windows 365 Frontline in shared mode can only be provisioned in select Azure regions.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: SQL Database in Fabric Now in Public Preview
WHEN: November 19, 2024
Microsoft has announced the public preview of SQL Database in Microsoft Fabric. This new service aims to simplify and accelerate the development of AI applications. Further release plans will be available in early 2025, but you can now try this new feature out, by starting a free trial of Fabric (if you don't already have capacity), and follow the steps outlined here.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: SQL Server 2025 Now in Private Preview
WHEN: November 19, 2024
SQL Server 2025 is now in private preview. General availability is expected sometime in 2025. No information on potential changes license model or pricing has been announced yet.
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