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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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**
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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**
Microsoft Teams is updating how it handles hidden user attributes, such as ShowInAddressList, to align with the behavior of Outlook and Exchange. Previously, administrators needed to use a feature called Scope Search to manage which users were visible in Teams. This update removes the need for Scope Search when hiding users, simplifying the process and making it more consistent across different Microsoft services.
Think of this change like a new office policy that makes it easier to keep certain rooms or areas private without needing special permission slips. In the past, you might have needed to fill out forms (Scope Search) to keep a room hidden from visitors. Now, you just use a simple switch (hidden user attributes) to decide if a room should be visible or not.
For those managing Microsoft Teams, this means you can now use attributes like HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled to control user visibility directly. If you have guest users who should not appear in search results, setting ShowInAddressList to False will ensure they remain hidden. However, if you're using Scope Search for Information Barriers, you should continue to do so, as this feature is still necessary for those specific scenarios.
This update is rolling out in October 2025, and it's important for administrators to review their current settings. If Scope Search was only being used to hide users, it can now be disabled. It's also a good time to update internal documentation and inform helpdesk and support teams about this change.
Overall, this update aims to streamline user visibility management, making it easier for administrators to control who appears in search results without additional complexity.
** 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 2 weeks ago
