Category Archives: Uncategorized

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.

Work IQ FAQs

Microsoft launch a new set of Work IQ FAQs.

Work IQ acts as the intelligence layer connecting Microsoft Copilot and AI Agents to an organisation’s internal data, such as emails, chats, and documents. The new FAQs provide further details, including how Work IQ powers AI Agents, how developers can build with its APIs, and how administrators manage its billing and governance.

Struggling to keep up with all the licensing guidance and FAQ websites? Save yourself a bunch of bookmarks by using our Licensing Guides Gallery instead! It consolidates all the links in one place, complete with an instant-search interface, filter buttons, and PDF captures to help you track website changes. Exclusively for subscribers – jump in today: https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery. Otherwise, grab your copy of these FAQs here: https://bit.ly/4ftSVUm.

Annual local currency price updates

Microsoft announce that local currency price updates will now occur once a year, rather than twice.

These exchange rate fluctuations against the US dollar affect all Microsoft Online Services apart from Azure, and will now take place every January, starting in 2027. Microsoft will provide advance notice of these changes each November.

Have you seen our Exchange Rate Price Plotter? Our subscriber-exclusive tool helps you track future and historical exchange rate changes, all in one place: https://bit.ly/ExchangeRatePlotter. Read the details of the announcement here: https://bit.ly/4gxoDlB.

Azure FAQs

Microsoft have updated their Azure FAQs.

The latest version introduces 12 new questions focused on the Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). These cover how Azure Marketplace purchases, refunds, and agreement migrations count towards your MACC spending commitment. Microsoft update the FAQs on their website, but we capture every version as a PDF so you can track changes over time. Subscribers can view these snapshots alongside easy website access in our Licensing Guides Gallery: https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery. Alternatively, grab a copy of the latest guide here: https://bit.ly/4gaypbn