*For this entry exists the more relevant or more recent entry MC1150680
check before: 2025-07-08
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft is modernizing the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel for Windows desktop apps to streamline updates and align with customer needs. The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview and Extended will be retired by 2025 and 2026, respectively. Organizations should migrate devices to other channels and plan for a twice-yearly update cycle.
Details:
To help organizations stay current and benefit from the latest Microsoft 365 innovation, we are modernizing the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to streamline update options and align with evolving customer needs. These changes simplify channel management and encourage broader adoption of update cadences that deliver features and security updates more efficiently.
This message applies to Windows desktop apps.
What's changing
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview and Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended will be retired
Devices currently on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview will not receive updates after July 8, 2025.
Support for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended will end March 10, 2026.
Feature previews are now available through Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel.
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel support will be simplified
Starting July 8, 2025, the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will move to a 6+2-month lifecycle (6 months of feature updates followed by 2 months of rollback support).
This channel will be reserved for specialized non-attended scenarios where more frequent updates are not practical.
Monthly Enterprise Channel improvements
Starting June 1, 2025, the Monthly Enterprise Channel will support N, N-1, and N-2 builds, giving admins greater flexibility during deployment validation.
All update channels will continue to receive security updates on Patch Tuesday.
What you need to do
Now is the time to evaluate your update strategy:
Migrate devices off the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview to ensure they continue receiving security updates.
Move interactive or user-facing devices to the Monthly Enterprise Channel for a more modern, validated experience.
For any remaining devices on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, plan to follow the twice-yearly update cycle in January and July.
Learn more: Overview of update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-06-03
updated:
2025-06-03
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Retirement of Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview
Devices on this channel will not receive updates after July 8, 2025, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and lack of feature updates.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/overview-update-channels
End of Support for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended
Support will end on March 10, 2026, which may result in outdated software and increased risk of incidents due to unpatched vulnerabilities.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/overview-update-channels
Migration to Monthly Enterprise Channel
Failure to migrate may lead to a lack of access to the latest features and security updates, negatively impacting user experience and productivity.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/overview-update-channels
Change in Update Cycle
Transitioning to a twice-yearly update cycle may disrupt user workflows if not properly communicated and managed, leading to frustration and decreased efficiency.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/overview-update-channels
Simplified Channel Management
Without preparation, the changes in channel management may confuse users and admins, leading to mismanagement of updates and potential downtime.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/overview-update-channels
Configutation Options**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
Microsoft is making some changes to how updates are delivered for Windows desktop apps in Microsoft 365. Think of it like how a city might decide to change its public transportation schedule to better serve its residents. The current Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, which is like a bus route that only runs twice a year, is being retired in favor of more frequent and flexible options.
The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Preview and Extended are like special bus services that will no longer be available after 2025 and 2026, respectively. This means that organizations need to start planning now to switch to other update channels to ensure their devices continue to receive updates. Imagine if a bus route you relied on was going to stop running; you'd need to find a new way to get to your destination.
For those who need regular updates, the Monthly Enterprise Channel is like a bus that comes more frequently, offering new features and security updates every month. This channel will also provide more flexibility by supporting multiple builds, making it easier for IT admins to test and deploy updates.
For devices that don't need frequent updates, the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will still be available but will have a new update cycle. It will now operate on a 6+2-month schedule, similar to a seasonal train service that runs for six months with a two-month period for adjustments.
To prepare for these changes, organizations should evaluate their current update strategies. Devices that are interactive or user-facing should move to the Monthly Enterprise Channel to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements. For devices that remain on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, it's important to plan for updates twice a year, in January and July.
These changes are designed to streamline the update process and make it easier for organizations to stay current with the latest innovations from Microsoft 365. Just like updating a transportation schedule, the goal is to provide a more efficient and reliable service that meets the needs of its users.
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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