check before: 2026-04-15
Product:
Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Retirement, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool starting April 15, 2026, completing by April 20, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments will only offer Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel options. No admin action is required.
Details:
Updated April 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center and in the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates.
[When this will happen]
We will begin retiring this option on April 15, 2026 (previously April 6), and expect to complete the retirement by April 20, 2026 (previously April 11).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2026-03-17
updated:
2026-04-10
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**
Removal of Update Channel Option
The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will no longer be available for new deployment configurations, potentially leading to confusion and misalignment in update strategies.
- roles: IT Administrators, Deployment Teams
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
Increased Frequency of Updates
Transitioning to Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel may result in more frequent updates, which could disrupt user workflows if not managed properly.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
Documentation Updates Required
Internal documentation referencing the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will need to be updated, which may lead to inconsistencies if not addressed promptly.
- roles: IT Administrators, Documentation Teams
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
Potential User Training Needs
Users may require training on the new update channels and their implications, leading to temporary productivity loss during the transition.
- roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
Configuration Review Necessity
Organizations will need to review existing configurations to ensure they align with the new update channels, which could lead to operational delays if not planned.
- roles: IT Administrators, Deployment Teams
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
Configutation Options**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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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 |
| 2026-04-10 | MC Last Updated | 03/19/2026 20:00:37 | 2026-04-09T20:36:03Z |
| 2026-04-10 | MC Messages | Updated March 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center and in the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026. | Updated April 9, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center and in the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 15, 2026 (previously April 6), and expect to complete the retirement by April 20, 2026 (previously April 11). |
| 2026-04-10 | MC End Time | 05/11/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-05-25T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-04-10 | MC Summary | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool and Configuration Manager between April 6-11, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments can only use Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel. No admin action is required, but notifying teams and updating documentation is advised. | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool starting April 15, 2026, completing by April 20, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments will only offer Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel options. No admin action is required. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Messages | Updated March 17, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026. | Updated March 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center and in the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC How Affect | Who is affected
Organizations that use the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center to create deployment configurations for Microsoft 365 Apps. What will happen The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will be removed from the list of available update channel options when creating new deployment configurations. Deployment configurations you have already created that use Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will continue to retain that value when viewed or edited; however, it will not be available as a selectable option for new configurations. Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new configuration creation. There is no impact to devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. | Who is affected
Organizations that use the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center to create deployment configurations for Microsoft 365 Apps. Organizations that use the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. What will happen The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will be removed from the list of available update channel options when creating new deployment configurations. Deployment configurations you have already created that use Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will continue to retain that value when viewed or edited; however, it will not be available as a selectable option for new configurations. Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new configuration creation. There is no impact to devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Last Updated | 03/17/2026 19:18:23 | 2026-03-19T20:00:37Z |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Summary | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool between April 6-11, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments can only use Current or Monthly Enterprise Channels. No admin action is required, though notifying teams and updating documentation is recommended. | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool and Configuration Manager between April 6-11, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments can only use Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel. No admin action is required, but notifying teams and updating documentation is advised. |
| 2026-03-18 | MC prepare | No admin action is required for this retirement. You may choose to:
Notify relevant admins or deployment teams of this upcoming change. Update internal documentation if it references the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel as a selectable option. Review your existing configurations in the Office Deployment Service if you plan to transition to a different update channel going forward. If desired, use this Microsoft Learn resource to plan channel migration: Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel for devices in your organization | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://config.office.com/ https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels | No admin action is required for this retirement. You may choose to:
Notify relevant admins or deployment teams of this upcoming change. Update internal documentation if it references the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel as a selectable option. Review your existing configurations in the Office Customization Tool if you plan to transition to a different update channel going forward. If desired, use this Microsoft Learn resource to plan channel migration: Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel for devices in your organization | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://config.office.com/ https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels |
| 2026-03-18 | MC MessageTagNames | User impact, Admin impact, Retirement | Updated message, User impact, Admin impact, Retirement |
| 2026-03-18 | MC Summary | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option in the Office Deployment Service will be retired between April 6-11, 2026. It will be removed for new deployment configurations, but existing ones remain unaffected. Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new setups. No admin action is required. | The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option will be retired from the Office Customization Tool between April 6-11, 2026. Existing configurations remain unchanged, but new deployments can only use Current or Monthly Enterprise Channels. No admin action is required, though notifying teams and updating documentation is recommended. |
| 2026-03-18 | MC Last Updated | 03/12/2026 01:05:21 | 2026-03-17T19:18:23Z |
| 2026-03-18 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Deployment Service in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026. | Updated March 17, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates. [When this will happen] We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026. |
| 2026-03-18 | MC Title | Retirement of the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option in the Office Deployment Service | (Updated) Retirement of the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option in the Office Customization Tool |
| 2026-03-18 | MC How Affect | Who is affected
Organizations that use the Office Deployment Service or Office Customization Service to create deployment configurations for Microsoft 365 Apps. What will happen The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will be removed from the list of available update channel options when creating new deployment configurations. Deployment configurations you have already created that use Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will continue to retain that value when viewed or edited; however, it will not be available as a selectable option for new configurations. Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new configuration creation. There is no impact to devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. | Who is affected
Organizations that use the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center to create deployment configurations for Microsoft 365 Apps. What will happen The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will be removed from the list of available update channel options when creating new deployment configurations. Deployment configurations you have already created that use Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will continue to retain that value when viewed or edited; however, it will not be available as a selectable option for new configurations. Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new configuration creation. There is no impact to devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. |
Last updated 2 days ago ago
