check before: 2025-10-01
Product:
Exchange, Outlook, Purview Information Barriers, Teams
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Feature update, Updated message
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Teams will now respect hidden user attributes like ShowInAddressList without needing Scope Search, aligning with Outlook and Exchange. This change, rolling out in October 2025, simplifies user visibility management by removing Scope Search for hiding users, though it should remain for Information Barriers.
Details:
Updated October 20, 2025: We have updated the content below. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
To improve consistency across Microsoft 365 services and reduce reliance on Scope Search, Microsoft Teams will now respect hidden user attributes-such as ShowInAddressList and HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled-without requiring Scope Search. This change aligns Teams behavior with Outlook and Exchange, simplifying user visibility management and resolving issues caused by Scope Search, such as difficulty locating Call Queues and Auto Attendants.
[When this will happen:]
Rollout begins early October 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-10-08
updated:
2025-10-21
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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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
User Visibility Management
Changes in user visibility may lead to confusion among users if hidden attributes are not properly configured, resulting in some users being unable to find guest users in search results.
- roles: Admins, Helpdesk Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Search Functionality
The removal of Scope Search for hiding users may lead to unexpected search results, affecting user experience as some users may not appear in search results when they should.
- roles: End Users, Admins
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Compliance and Data Management
Altering how existing customer data is processed could lead to compliance issues if hidden user attributes are not managed correctly, potentially exposing sensitive information.
- roles: Compliance Officers, Admins
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Improved User Visibility Management
The change allows admins to manage user visibility more effectively by utilizing hidden user attributes without the complexity of Scope Search. This streamlines the process of configuring who appears in search results, making it easier for users to find relevant contacts.
- next-steps: Review current configurations of hidden user attributes and disable Scope Search if it is solely used for hiding users. Communicate the changes to the helpdesk and support teams for proper user guidance.
- roles: IT Administrators, Helpdesk Support, HR Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Enhanced User Experience in Teams
With the new functionality, users will experience a more intuitive search process in Teams, as they will not encounter hidden users in search results unless specified. This leads to a more efficient workflow for employees needing to connect with colleagues.
- next-steps: Update internal documentation to reflect the new behavior in Teams and train users on how to utilize the search feature effectively with the new changes.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders, Project Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Streamlined IT Administrative Tasks
By eliminating the need for Scope Search to manage visibility, IT departments can reduce the administrative overhead associated with user management. This allows IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than routine visibility configurations.
- next-steps: Conduct a review of existing administrative processes related to user visibility management and identify areas for automation or improvement based on the new capabilities.
- roles: IT Managers, System Administrators, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview
Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-10-21 | MC prepare | Review your current use of Scope Search. If used solely to hide users, disable it.
Ensure hidden user attributes are correctly configured: Online: HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled On-premises: msExchangeHiddenFromAddressList Guest users: Set ShowInAddressList to True if they should appear in search results. Communicate this change to helpdesk and support teams. Update internal documentation to reflect the new behavior. For more details, refer to Microsoft Teams admin documentation. [Compliance considerations:] Compliance AreaExplanation Alters how existing customer data is processedTeams will now use hidden user attributes to determine visibility, changing how user data is surfaced in search. Includes an admin controlAdmins can manage visibility using hidden attributes (as mentioned above). Allows user visibility to be controlled indirectlyGuest users and others can be hidden or shown based on attribute configuration. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview | Review your current use of Scope Search. If used solely to hide users, disable it.
Ensure hidden user attributes are correctly configured: Online: HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled On-premises: msExchangeHiddenFromAddressList Guest users: Set ShowInAddressList to True if they should appear in search results. Communicate this change to helpdesk and support teams. Update internal documentation to reflect the new behavior. For more details, refer to Microsoft Teams admin documentation. To verify your user configuration, run the Microsoft Teams Internal User Search Diagnostic. [Compliance considerations:] Compliance AreaExplanation Alters how existing customer data is processedTeams will now use hidden user attributes to determine visibility, changing how user data is surfaced in search. Includes an admin controlAdmins can manage visibility using hidden attributes (as mentioned above). Allows user visibility to be controlled indirectlyGuest users and others can be hidden or shown based on attribute configuration. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/teams-overview https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftestconnectivity.microsoft.com%2Ftests%2FTeamsInternalUserSearch%2Finput&data=05%7C02%7Cv-honoggle%40microsoft.com%7C26cf1c6326b04746236108de0831c3ac%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638957207007802720%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yQ3ytAwHQVeXcfb0XxVdrj9Od5Y1He1VJvh%2FQJkD8NM%3D&reserved=0 |
| 2025-10-21 | MC Summary | Starting October 2025, Teams will respect hidden user attributes like ShowInAddressList without needing Scope Search, aligning with Outlook and Exchange. Admins should review and update attribute settings, disable Scope Search if only used for hiding users, and inform support teams accordingly. | Microsoft Teams will now respect hidden user attributes like ShowInAddressList without needing Scope Search, aligning with Outlook and Exchange. This change, rolling out in October 2025, simplifies user visibility management by removing Scope Search for hiding users, though it should remain for Information Barriers. |
| 2025-10-21 | MC Last Updated | 10/09/2025 00:03:44 | 2025-10-20T22:01:30Z |
| 2025-10-21 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
To improve consistency across Microsoft 365 services and reduce reliance on Scope Search, Microsoft Teams will now respect hidden user attributes-such as ShowInAddressList and HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled-without requiring Scope Search. This change aligns Teams behavior with Outlook and Exchange, simplifying user visibility management and resolving issues caused by Scope Search, such as difficulty locating Call Queues and Auto Attendants. [When this will happen:] Rollout begins early October 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025. | Updated October 20, 2025: We have updated the content below. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] To improve consistency across Microsoft 365 services and reduce reliance on Scope Search, Microsoft Teams will now respect hidden user attributes-such as ShowInAddressList and HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled-without requiring Scope Search. This change aligns Teams behavior with Outlook and Exchange, simplifying user visibility management and resolving issues caused by Scope Search, such as difficulty locating Call Queues and Auto Attendants. [When this will happen:] Rollout begins early October 2025 and is expected to complete by late October 2025. |
| 2025-10-21 | MC Title | Teams Search now respects hidden user attributes without requiring "Scope Search" | (Updated) Teams Search now respects hidden user attributes without requiring "Scope Search" |
| 2025-10-21 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, Admin impact | Updated message, Feature update, Admin impact |
Last updated 6 days ago ago
