MC1184998 – Migration of Name Pronunciation and Pronoun Controls to the People Settings Section in Org Settings (archived)

Product:

Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Graph

Platform:

Developer, Online, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Feature update, User impact, Admin impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Name Pronunciation and Pronoun controls in Microsoft 365 admin center will move to People settings under Org Settings by mid-December 2025. No new features or opt-in needed. Admins should update documentation and inform support teams about the new location.

Details:
[Introduction]
To improve discoverability and simplify configuration, we're updating the Microsoft 365 admin center to consolidate people-related settings. As part of this update, controls for Name Pronunciation and Pronouns will be relocated to the People settings section under Org Settings. This change helps administrators manage user profile settings more efficiently.
[When this will happen]
General availability (Worldwide): This change will begin rolling out in late November 2025 and will complete by mid-December 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2025-11-12

updated:
2025-11-12

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Confusion
Users may be confused about the new location of Name Pronunciation and Pronoun settings, leading to potential mismanagement of their profiles.
   - roles: End Users, Support Staff
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/manage/people-settings-in-microsoft-365-admin-center?view=o365-worldwide

Increased Support Requests
Support teams may receive an influx of inquiries regarding the new location of settings, impacting their workload and response times.
   - roles: Support Staff, Admins
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/turn-pronouns-on-or-off?view=o365-worldwide

Documentation Gaps
Existing documentation may become outdated, leading to inconsistencies in guidance provided to users and admins.
   - roles: Admins, Documentation Specialists
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/graph/namepronunciation-configure-namepronunciation-availability

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Experience for Admins
By consolidating Name Pronunciation and Pronoun controls into the People settings, admins can manage user profiles more efficiently, reducing time spent navigating through the admin center. This streamlining can lead to quicker resolutions for user inquiries and better overall service delivery.
   - next-steps: Conduct training sessions for admins on the new layout and provide updated documentation to facilitate the transition.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Support Teams, HR Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/manage/people-settings-in-microsoft-365-admin-center?view=o365-worldwide

Improved Documentation and Training Materials
The relocation of controls necessitates updates to internal documentation and training materials, ensuring that all staff are informed about the new settings location. This can enhance the onboarding process for new admins and reduce errors in user management.
   - next-steps: Review and revise all relevant documentation and training materials, and communicate changes to all stakeholders involved in user management.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Training Coordinators, Support Teams
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/graph/namepronunciation-configure-namepronunciation-availability

Increased Support Efficiency
Informing help desk and support teams about the new settings location can lead to fewer support tickets related to user profile management. This proactive communication can streamline support processes and improve response times.
   - next-steps: Schedule a meeting with support teams to discuss the changes and provide a summary of the new settings location and its implications for user support.
   - roles: Help Desk Staff, IT Support Managers, System Administrators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/turn-pronouns-on-or-off?view=o365-worldwide

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

In the world of Microsoft 365, there are some upcoming changes that will affect how administrators manage certain user profile settings. Imagine you have a filing cabinet where you keep all your important documents. Over time, you realize that having related documents in separate drawers makes it hard to find what you need quickly. So, you decide to reorganize the cabinet, putting all related documents together in one drawer. This is similar to what Microsoft is doing with the Name Pronunciation and Pronoun controls.

Currently, these settings are in one part of the Microsoft 365 admin center. By mid-December 2025, they will be moved to a new section called People settings under Org Settings. This move is like putting all your related documents in one drawer, making it easier and faster to find and manage them. The functionality of these settings isn't changing, just their location.

For administrators, this means that the way you access these settings will be different, but you won't need to learn any new features or make any manual changes. It's like rearranging your office; once you know where everything is, your work becomes more efficient.

To ensure a smooth transition, it's recommended to update any internal guides or training materials and inform your support teams about this new location. This way, everyone knows where to find these settings when they need to. Microsoft provides resources to help understand these changes, much like an instruction manual for your newly organized filing cabinet.