Category Archives: Uncategorized

Apps in Copilot Studio and Copilot Cowork

Microsoft announce App building in Copilot Studio and Copilot Cowork, alongside the existing options of Agents and Workflows.

With rollout starting in September, users in the early-access Frontier Program can use natural language to create, edit, and publish Apps that optionally use organisational data. It’s all enabled by the GitHub Copilot Harness and that means that both the building of the Apps and running them consumes Copilot Credits. As you’d hope, admins can manage the App policies and stats in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Read more in the Copilot Studio Blog: https://bit.ly/4A7xyl0.

Windows 10 LTSC 2021 ESUs

Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are now available for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, ahead of its End of Support date on 12 January 2027.

The ESUs cover eligible devices for three years post-support, until 8 January 2030, and you can purchase them through CSP or Volume Licensing. Following the usual rules, pricing doubles each year, although you can take advantage of a cheaper licence if you manage the devices with Intune or Windows Autopatch.

Read the overview and pricing details here: https://bit.ly/4yQjriJ. LicenseVerse subscribers can find explanations and more details here: https://bit.ly/4yAcuC5.

Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server End of Support

Microsoft confirm the paid End of Support date for Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019 as the end of October 2026.

The original deadline of 14 October 2025 was extended with a double dose of ESUs ultimately lasting for an additional 12 months. Microsoft have reiterated that this phase of support is final, recommending (unsurprisingly!) upgrading any installations of Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server to a supported version. Subscribers will find the full details explained across LicenseVerse. The related article for Exchange Server is here: https://bit.ly/4hpSwEi, and Skype for Business Server here: https://bit.ly/3VbbSo4

Retirement of Publisher

Publisher will no longer be supported from October 2026.

As of 1 October 2026, subscribers with a Microsoft 365 licence will no longer have access to Publisher, and it won’t be included with new purchases. You can still use the application beyond October if you have a perpetual licence for Office LTSC 2021 (the last version to include it), but support ends on 13 October 2026. Microsoft recommend migrating to Word or PowerPoint as alternatives.

You’ll find full details and useful FAQs here: https://bit.ly/3TsdZU4.

CSP Software Subscriptions price update

1-year CSP Software Subscriptions with monthly billing will see a 5% uplift from 1 October 2026, affecting all new and renewing licences from that date.

There’s no change to the pricing if you pay upfront, or to the pricing and payment options for the 3-year licences.

You’ll find details in the Partner Center announcement here: https://bit.ly/4Aj5j2T. If you find yourself frustrated that these handy announcements vanish after a year, our subscriber-exclusive Partner Center Archive contains a comprehensive record across the years. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4j53hNG, or drop us an email for more information: info@licensingschool.co.uk.

Windows Server 2016 ESUs

Microsoft have announced the General Availability of Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows Server 2016.

With support ending on 12 January 2027, you can now secure up to three years of additional paid Critical and Important security updates running through to January 2030.

Check out the announcement article for Azure Arc-enabled ESUs here: https://bit.ly/3UihFId, and availability details for the traditional ESUs through CSP here: https://bit.ly/4wYxxx0.

Updated Visual Studio Licensing Guidance

Microsoft update their Visual Studio Licensing Guidance to clarify that Visual Studio 2026 doesn’t need a product key. The existing errors aren’t corrected however.

Subscribers can see what’s new and what to be wary of in our Licensing Guides Gallery: https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery. If you’re not yet a subscriber, grab this guide here: https://bit.ly/3Vj5afJ.

New pricing for Power Apps Premium

Microsoft announce a price increase for Power Apps Premium, effective January 1, 2027.

The monthly cost of the affected licences will rise for all new purchases, renewals, and co-terms starting on or after January 1, 2027. US Government customers may see increases phased over two years.

Find the full details in our subscriber-exclusive Product Price Plotter, where we provide an interactive, filterable, and searchable tool to keep you in the loop with all Microsoft price changes: https://bit.ly/ProductPricePlotter. Find the Microsoft announcement here: https://bit.ly/4xdsqcl.

Security FAQs

Microsoft have updated their Security FAQs with a brand-new set of questions on Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence (MDTI).

The new section provides details of the 1 August 2026 retirement, the integration of MDTI capabilities into Defender and Sentinel, and transition guidance for existing customers.

In our subscriber-exclusive Licensing Guides Gallery you’ll find a quick link to the live FAQs website, and all our PDF version captures, alongside details of the changes to be aware (and wary!) of, with our “What’s New” and “Cautionary Notes” features: https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery. If you’re not yet a subscriber, grab your copy here: https://bit.ly/3UeeAIY.

Security Suites Licensing Guidance

There’s a new Security Suites Licensing Guidance website from Microsoft.

It’s an interesting site that provides some feature tables that cover the security and compliance features found in the Defender and Purview Suites, as well as the Intune Suite and Entra Suite licenses. The “mini suites” have been somewhat neglected in recent years, but you’ll find the Information Protection and Governance, Insider Risk Management, and eDiscovery and Audit licenses make a comeback and are included here. The three main sections cover the offerings for Enterprise, Frontline Worker, and SMB customers.

We maintain an always up-to-date collection of the latest Microsoft Licensing Guides and resources, all in one place, so you don’t have to. If you’re a subscriber, use our Licensing Guides Gallery (https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery), with an interactive search and filters to quickly find our PDF capture and the Licensing Guidance website link. Grab a copy of this PDF here: https://bit.ly/4AaVgwW.