Microsoft introduced a new PowerShell parameter, ExcludeFromAllHolds, that simplifies removing multiple retention holds from inactive mailboxes in Exchange Online. This capability enables you to remove various retention holds from inactive mailboxes while preserving essential compliance protections such as eDiscovery holds and litigation holds.

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Microsoft announces the general availability of the Azure Test Run Hub, which delivers a new interface for managing test execution in Azure DevOps Test Plans.

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Microsoft has initiated a critical security hardening phase for Windows Active Directory domain controllers to address CVE-2026-20833, a Kerberos vulnerability that enables Kerberoasting attacks by allowing attackers to exploit weak RC4 encryption. The January 2026 security updates mark the beginning of a phased transition that will disable RC4 encryption by default and enforce AES-SHA1 as the standard encryption method for Kerberos authentication.

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Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) to the Beta Channel on January 16, 2026. This update introduces modernized user interface elements with dark mode support, enhanced desktop background options, and multiple performance fixes. The build is based on Windows 11 version 25H2 and includes changes that are gradually rolling out to Insiders who enable the toggle for the latest updates in Settings > Windows Update.

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Microsoft is expanding Windows Backup for Organizations with a first-sign-in restore feature that lets you recover Windows settings and Microsoft Store apps immediately after logging in on Windows 11 devices. This new capability, currently in private preview, provides a safety net for users who miss or encounter issues during the initial device setup process.

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Microsoft has started automatically updating Secure Boot certificates on eligible Windows 11 systems with the January 2026 security update. The update replaces certificates that are set to expire in June and October 2026, ensuring devices maintain boot security and continue receiving critical updates. Learn what admins need to know.

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Microsoft has launched a native migration orchestrator in public preview that enables you to move user data between Microsoft 365 tenants during mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational restructurings. This cloud-based solution consolidates Exchange mailboxes, OneDrive files, and Teams chats and meetings into a single migration workflow, eliminating the need for multiple third-party tools and reducing administrative complexity.

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Microsoft announced the immediate retirement of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) on January 6, 2026, marking the end of a tool that has served IT administrators for over 20 years. You will no longer receive updates, fixes, or support for MDT, and the download packages have been removed from official distribution channels. Find out about alternatives to the MDT and how administrators reacted to its retirement announcement.

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Microsoft will enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users signing in to the Microsoft 365 admin center starting February 9, 2026. This critical security measure aims to prevent unauthorized access to administrative accounts that manage tenant configurations, user provisioning, and compliance settings.

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Microsoft integrates Teams with Defender for Office 365, enabling security admins to block external users directly from the Microsoft Defender portal using the Tenant Allow/Block List. This centralized security management feature rolls out in January 2026, supporting up to 4,000 domains and 200 email addresses with automatic blocking across chats, meetings, channels, and calls.

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Microsoft has introduced the new RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp Group Policy that allows IT administrators to uninstall the Microsoft Copilot app on managed Windows 11 devices. However, the uninstall option has several specific requirements and limitations you need to understand before attempting to remove Copilot from your Windows.

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Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) is now available for both Dev and Beta Channels. This release extends AI-powered accessibility features to supported devices running this Insider build, expanding availability beyond just Copilot+ PCs, and provides developers with expanded integration options for cross-device application continuity.

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Microsoft Copilot Studio is a low-code platform that lets you build, customize, and manage AI agents without extensive programming knowledge. The platform provides a graphical interface for creating intelligent agents in natural language that handle conversations and automate tasks across Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, websites, mobile apps, and third-party platforms such as Facebook or Slack. To ground agents, you can integrate your organization's data sources. Recent updates have introduced enhanced AI models, improved authoring experiences, and new governance capabilities, making the platform more accessible and secure.

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The final version of Windows 11 26H1 will be a platform release tailored for next-generation ARM silicon, including Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 and, probably, NVIDIA N1X processors. Windows 11 26H1 is expected to launch around April 2026 with new ARM64 devices. Windows 11 26H1 is expected to launch around April 2026 with new ARM64 devices. This is not a feature update but rather a silicon support release focused on under-the-hood platform improvements while maintaining complete feature parity with version 25H2.

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Microsoft has indefinitely canceled the planned limit on bulk email sending in Exchange Online following significant customer feedback about operational challenges. However, Microsoft advises using Azure Communication Services for Email for organizations that require sending large volumes of email to external recipients. 

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Microsoft 365 users face a critical bug in Classic Outlook that prevents recipients from opening encrypted emails. In Classic Outlook, trying to open an encrypted email shows a specific error message in the Reading Pane: "This message with restricted permission cannot be viewed in the reading pane until you verify your credentials. Open the item to read its contents and verify your credentials." This issue stems from a client-side regression in how Classic Outlook handles encryption settings, and Microsoft is currently investigating the problem.

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Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Defender Experts Suite as an integrated security offering that combines managed extended detection and response (MXDR), incident response services, and direct access to Microsoft security advisors. Unlike purchasing these services separately, the suite provides a single unified SKU with per-user-per-month licensing and a designated security advisor who coordinates all three service components. The suite became generally available on January 1, 2026, with a promotional offer available through December 31, 2026.

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In an interview, Anthropic's Daniela Amodei suggested that AI deployments "might hit a wall because of human reasons." This post summarizes my views on the new Human Wall, based on my more detailed discussion of the interview in which Anthropic's president also touches on the outdated AGI concept, the discontinuation of exponentials, and the AI bubble.

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Microsoft will discontinue support for numerous products throughout 2026, spanning operating systems, productivity software, database platforms, and server technologies. Organizations must plan migrations and upgrades to maintain security compliance and access to critical updates.

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