check before: 2026-01-09
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Loop, Purview, Purview Communication Compliance, Purview compliance portal, Purview Information Protection, SharePoint
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
User impact, Admin impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Starting January 9, 2026, deletion of Copilot Notebooks in SharePoint Embedded may fail until a fix fully rolls out by January 31. Tenant-owned Loop workspace containers may also face issues unless excluded from retention policies. Admins should adjust retention settings via Microsoft Purview to mitigate problems.
Details:
Introduction
As of January 9, 2026, you may experience issues deleting Copilot Notebooks if a recent fix has not yet rolled out to your tenant. In early December, we identified a problem where the asynchronous deletion of folders in SharePoint Embedded was not being invoked, causing deletion failures. This fix is now being deployed, and we want you to be aware of the current state and upcoming resolution.
Tenant-owned Loop workspace SharePoint Embedded (SPE) containers may also experience these deletion failures. These issues will not be resolved with the initial fix rollout. However, you can mitigate them by excluding the affected containers from Microsoft Purview retention policies, as described in the steps below.
When this will happen:
The initial fix begins rolling out January 9, 2026.
Full worldwide rollout is expected by January 31, 2026.
After this rollout, we'll evaluate if additional fixes are needed.
Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Release Phase:
Created:
2026-01-06
updated:
2026-01-06
Task Type
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Docu to Check
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS How does it affect me
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Preperations
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Urgency
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS workload name
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
summary for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Direct effects for Operations**
Deletion Failures of Copilot Notebooks
If the fix has not rolled out, users will be unable to delete Copilot Notebooks in SharePoint Embedded, leading to potential data management issues.
- roles: IT Admins, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/retention?view=o365-worldwide
Retention Policy Conflicts
Tenant-owned Loop workspace containers may face deletion issues unless excluded from retention policies, causing confusion and potential data loss.
- roles: IT Admins, Compliance Officers
- references: https://purview.microsoft.com/
User Experience Disruption
Users may experience frustration and disruption in workflow due to inability to delete notebooks, impacting productivity and collaboration.
- roles: End Users, Project Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/retention?view=o365-worldwide
Configutation Options**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
Opportunities**
Streamlining Retention Policy Management
By adjusting retention policies to exclude tenant-owned Loop workspace containers from retention policies, organizations can avoid deletion issues with Copilot Notebooks and enhance overall data management efficiency. This will reduce the administrative burden on IT staff and improve user experience by ensuring that deletions can occur without complications.
- next-steps: Conduct a review of current retention policies in Microsoft Purview. Identify all tenant-owned Loop workspace containers and create a plan to exclude them from retention policies. Train IT admins on the updated procedures to manage these policies effectively.
- roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Data Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/retention?view=o365-worldwide, https://purview.microsoft.com/
Improving User Communication and Training
Enhancing communication regarding the deletion issues and upcoming fixes can lead to better user experience and reduce frustration. Providing training sessions for users on how to manage their Copilot Notebooks and the implications of retention policies can empower users and reduce support requests.
- next-steps: Develop a communication plan that includes FAQs, training materials, and a timeline for the fix rollout. Schedule training sessions for end-users to educate them on best practices for managing Copilot Notebooks and understanding retention policies.
- roles: User Experience Managers, Training Coordinators, IT Support Staff
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/retention?view=o365-worldwide, https://purview.microsoft.com/
Automation of Retention Policy Adjustments
Implementing automation tools to manage retention policy adjustments can significantly reduce manual intervention required by IT admins. This can lead to quicker response times in addressing deletion issues and overall improved operational efficiency.
- next-steps: Research and evaluate automation tools or scripts that can interface with Microsoft Purview to automate the process of adjusting retention policies. Pilot the automation in a controlled environment before full deployment.
- roles: IT Administrators, DevOps Engineers, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/retention?view=o365-worldwide, https://purview.microsoft.com/
Potentional Risks**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
Data Protection**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
IT Security**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
DPIA Draft**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
explanation for non-techies**
Starting January 9, 2026, some users may encounter difficulties when trying to delete Copilot Notebooks stored in SharePoint Embedded. This is due to a technical issue that was identified in December, where the system responsible for deleting folders wasn't working as it should. Think of it like trying to delete a file on your computer, but the delete button is temporarily not responding. The good news is that a fix is being rolled out, and by January 31, 2026, everything should be back to normal.
However, until the fix is fully implemented, there might be some hiccups. If you find that you can't delete certain notebooks, it might be because they are caught up in retention policies. Retention policies are like rules that keep certain documents from being deleted too soon, similar to how a library might keep certain books on the shelf for a minimum period before they can be removed.
To address this, you can work with your IT team to adjust these retention settings. This involves temporarily excluding the affected notebooks from these policies, allowing them to be deleted. It's a bit like getting special permission to take a book off the library shelf before its usual time.
If you're managing a team or handling compliance, it's important to be aware of these potential issues and coordinate with your IT department to ensure a smooth transition. If problems persist beyond January, you can report them through a support ticket for further assistance.
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
a free basic plan is required to see more details. Sign up here
A cloudsocut.one plan is required to see all the changed details. If you are already a customer, choose login.
If you are new to cloudscout.one please choose a plan.
Last updated 1 month ago ago
