Blog
Subscribe to our Newsletter.
What a Conference! Microsoft Ignite was a huge one this year, and we’re thrilled to bring you the highlights. As expected, this year’s event was once again headlined by artificial intelligence, with Microsoft Copilot stepping up its game to help you work smarter. But that’s not all - there were exciting improvements across other core areas too, from Windows 365 to Azure and Intune.
If you’re eager to get up to speed with the latest innovations and see how they can benefit your organisation, keep reading. We’ve got all the details right here. We hope you enjoyed the conference as much as we did!
🤖
Artificial Intelligence
Copilot Agents
Have you ever wished your daily grind could magically handle itself? Enter Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new out-of-the-box agents! These aren’t your typical digital tools - they’re purpose-built, proactive helpers designed to tackle anything from the most mundane tasks to the trickiest workflows. Meet your new digital dream team: -
SharePoint: Meet the SharePoint Agent, your go-to for making sense of your SharePoint content. Need instant insights? Done. Want to build a custom agent to comb through specific files or sites? Easy. Plus, you can personalise it with a quirky name and fine-tune its behaviours. Whether you’re in a meeting, writing an email, or deep in a chat, this agent delivers real-time responses grounded in SharePoint’s security settings. It’s like having a super-smart librarian who never sleeps - and it’s available now!
Employee Self-Service: Say hello to the Employee Self-Service Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Chat (BizChat). This clever companion is the answer wizard for your workplace questions. Want to check your payroll details? Done. Need to book leave? Handled. Eyeing a shiny new laptop? Consider it requested. This agent even dabbles in IT support for Microsoft 365 products. It’s still in private preview, but once it’s live, it’ll be your HR and IT bestie all rolled into one.
Facilitator: Meetings can be a drag, but not with the Facilitator Agent in your corner. During Teams meetings, this multitasking marvel takes real-time notes and lets attendees co-author and collaborate on them - live. In chats, it keeps everyone on the same page by summarising key points as the discussion unfolds. It’s your personal assistant for smarter, faster teamwork, and it’s currently in preview.
Interpreter: Breaking language barriers? Piece of cake for the Interpreter Agent. This brainy bot brings real-time interpretation to Teams meetings in up to nine languages. Want it to speak in your voice? Done - it even nails your tone. Coming early next year, this agent is set to make global collaboration more inclusive and seamless than ever.
Project: Finally, meet the Project Manager Agent. Got a project to manage? This agent’s got you. It can create detailed plans from scratch or use pre-built templates, assign tasks, track progress, send reminders, and even generate status updates. Need it to write content or complete tasks? It can do that too! Currently in preview, this agent is your ticket to effortless project management.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to innovate, introducing game-changing tools to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and enable smarter decision-making. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s new: -
Simplify Workflows with Copilot Actions: Automate routine tasks like gathering status updates, compiling reports, or scheduling emails. These customisable prompt templates can help save time and adapt to your needs. Currently in private preview.
Smarter Teams Meetings: Copilot can now analyse content shared on-screen during Teams meetings for insights, helping users catch every detail. Available in early 2025.
Instant File Summaries in Teams: Quickly understand shared files in chats without opening them, while respecting security policies. Preview available early 2025.
PowerPoint Enhancements: From translating slides into 40+ languages to integrating branded designs, Copilot now builds polished presentations in minutes. Features roll out between December and early 2025.
Excel Made Easy: With a new start experience, simply describe your needs, and Copilot will create a tailored spreadsheet complete with headers, formulas, and visuals. Available by year’s end.
Outlook Upgrades: Schedule meetings, focus time, or even draft agendas with ease. Features will arrive by November’s end.
Enhanced IT Admin Tools: Copilot in Microsoft 365 Administration Centers simplifies admin tasks with insights, reports, and troubleshooting support. Features roll out in early 2025.
Copilot Analytics: Measure Copilot’s business impact with dashboards, Viva Insights, and advanced reporting to track KPIs like productivity and adoption. Tools begin rolling out in early 2025. Whether you're streamlining tasks, enhancing collaboration, or driving smarter decisions, these updates bring Copilot closer to transforming your workday.
Copilot Studio
Imagine if creating your own digital assistant was as easy as building a playlist. That’s exactly what Microsoft Copilot Studio offers - a sandbox for crafting agents that work your way. Copilot Studio is evolving with powerful new features to make agents even more capable. Here’s what’s coming: -
Autonomous agentic capabilities: Ever wished your digital assistant could just do the thing without waiting for instructions? With autonomous agentic capabilities, that wish is granted. These agents don’t need constant handholding - they’ll respond to triggers like emails or uploaded files and act on your behalf. No nudges, no prompts - just seamless, behind-the-scenes action. It’s like having a super-reliable sidekick who already knows what you need.
Agent library: Not sure where to start? The Agent Library has your back. It’s packed with templates for common tasks like leave management or speeding up sales deals. Think of it as a treasure chest of pre-built brilliance - you can pick a template, tweak it to fit your needs, and voilà! You’ve got a custom agent ready to handle the heavy lifting.
Image Upload: Upload images to Copilot for analysis and Q&A, powered by GPT-4o. This feature adds rich context to your data without manual effort and is currently in preview.
Voice-Enabled Agents: Build agents with voice capabilities for apps and websites, enabling faster, more personal interactions. This feature is in private preview.
Advanced Knowledge Tuning: Address knowledge gaps by refining agents with specific instructions and new data sources, like documents and databases. This feature is also in preview.
Copilot Studio & Azure AI
Microsoft Copilot Studio is levelling up with exciting updates designed for makers and developers. Here’s what’s new: -
Microsoft 365 Agents SDK: Build scalable, enterprise-ready agents with code that works seamlessly across Copilot, Teams, and more. It bridges no-code and code-first solutions, leveraging AI services from Azure AI Foundry, Semantic Kernel, or third-party providers. Available now in preview.
Azure AI Foundry Integrations: Supercharging Intelligence: Bring custom search indices or use fine-tuned models from the Azure AI catalogue of over 1,800 options. Perfect for large enterprises or industry-specific needs. Knowledge integrations are in preview; custom models are in private preview.
Security Copilot
Microsoft’s Security Copilot just got a major upgrade, making AI-powered security tools available to everyone in your organisation - from IT admins to security analysts. Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest advancements:
Boost Security Across the Board: GenAI powers Microsoft’s security tools, giving admins and analysts more visibility and control to strengthen your security posture.
AI-Driven Insights for Identity Admins: Get smarter access control with instant insights on sign-ins, user behaviour, and app risks with a more embedded Security Copilot in the Microsoft Entra ID admin center.
Faster IT Troubleshooting: AI-powered Kusto Query Language (KQL) helps IT teams troubleshoot endpoints, manage patches, and resolve policy conflicts faster.
SOC Analysts: More Efficiency: The new side panel in Security Copilot provides deeper insights into identity misconfigurations and threats for quicker responses.
Broader Threat Intelligence: The new Threat Intelligence plugin unifies data sources for a complete view of threats, with simplified workflows using out-of-box promptbooks.
Automate Routine Security Tasks: Use the new Logic Apps connector to automate tasks and enrich workflows with GenAI insights.
Leverage Third-Party Plugins: Over 15 new plugins integrate with existing tools, boosting device management, threat intelligence, and data security.
Enterprise-Ready: Audit logs, role-based access control, and a usage dashboard ensure Security Copilot scales with your needs.
Security Copilot in Intune
Managing devices, ensuring security, and boosting productivity across your organisation can feel like a never-ending juggling act. But with the Security Copilot in Intune, Microsoft’s generative AI tool, things just got a whole lot easier for IT admins. Here’s how:
AI-Powered Endpoint Management: Embedded in the Intune admin center, Security Copilot helps IT admins manage devices and security faster and smarter.
Expanded Functionality: Now integrated across the Intune Suite and Windows Autopatch, offering broader AI insights to handle everyday challenges.
Boost Productivity & Security: Ensures workers stay productive across devices while keeping the digital estate secure from evolving cyber threats.
Real-Time AI Guidance: Provides actionable insights for quicker decision-making, faster troubleshooting, and more effective device management.
Streamlined Workflows: Simplifies routine IT tasks, reduces security risks, and frees up time for strategic initiatives instead of day-to-day troubleshooting.
📈
Microsoft 365
Microsoft Teams
Teams is rolling out exciting new features to make global collaboration smoother than ever before. These enhancements, now in private preview, will help break down language barriers for international teams.
Multilingual Meeting Transcription: Transcripts will capture discussions across 51 spoken languages, and translation support will be available in 31 languages.
Live Translated Captions & Transcripts: Real-time translations during meetings will be available next year in Teams desktop, web, and mobile apps.
Intelligent Meeting Recap Translation: Automatically translated meeting recaps, with the option to change translation language, will also be coming next year.
Intune
Managing devices, ensuring security, and boosting productivity across your organisation can feel like a never-ending juggling act. But with the latest updates to Microsoft Intune, things just got a whole lot easier for IT admins: -
Expanded Hardware Inventory: Intune is extending its advanced hardware inventory capabilities beyond Windows to now include iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, giving you a complete picture of your device landscape.
Comprehensive Device Data: Access detailed device properties like CPU info and TPM data, helping you make informed business decisions, such as determining device upgrade eligibility.
Advanced Analytics: Using Kusto Query Language (KQL), admins can analyse device data across multiple endpoints, providing real-time insights and helping to troubleshoot issues faster.
Proactive Device Monitoring: Stay ahead of performance issues by monitoring near real-time data on device health and performance, enabling fixes before users even notice.
Actionable Insights: Based on KQL query results, admins can take immediate action, like restarting devices or running remediation scripts, helping to improve security and reduce downtime.
Streamlined Endpoint Management: With expanded functionality, Intune now offers an even more efficient way to manage, secure, and optimise devices across your organisation.
Windows App MAM Support for iOS and Android (Preview): Enables organisations to set device security standards and customise access controls, offering enhanced management for personal devices in BYOD environments.
Entra SSE
Microsoft Entra Suite just levelled up your network security with some exciting updates in their Security Service Edge (SSE) solution.
Simplified Zero Trust Migration: Microsoft Entra Private Access now makes migrating from traditional VPNs to Zero Trust Network Access a breeze, with quick access policies for private app onboarding and App Discovery in preview to find all your private apps easily.
Private DNS Access: Access resources with single-label names or hostnames, thanks to Private DNS in preview.
Easier Connector Deployment: Private network connectors are now available in preview for Azure and AWS Marketplaces, with Google Cloud Platform coming soon.
Enhanced Access Control: Microsoft Entra Internet Access takes adaptive access controls to the next level with universal continuous access evaluation (CAE) in preview, revoking access in real-time when conditions change.
Encrypted Traffic Visibility: TLS inspection (in private preview) enhances Internet Access threat protection with the ability to inspect encrypted traffic and improve URL web category filtering based on full URLs.
Optimised Branch Connectivity: Microsoft is accelerating the journey to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) with partnerships from HPE Aruba, Versa Networks, Cisco, and more, all working together to improve secure access.
Expanding Network Security: Microsoft is enhancing its SSE solution with new integrations, starting with Netskope Advanced Threat Protection and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) now in private preview.
Storyline
Microsoft Teams is adding Storyline, a feature designed to improve communication across your organisation and boost employee engagement.
Centralised Updates: Employees can follow leadership updates, discover relevant content, and contribute ideas - all in one place.
Enhanced Engagement: Storyline allows employees to share their perspectives and express themselves, reducing the frustration of scattered communication channels.
💻
Windows
Windows 365
Microsoft is introducing powerful new updates to Windows 365, designed to enhance productivity, security, and flexibility for modern work environments: -
Windows 365 Frontline Shared Mode: A new way to access Windows 365 Cloud PCs for brief, secure tasks. User data is deleted upon sign-off, ensuring a clean slate for each session. Now in preview.
Windows in Mixed Reality: Bringing the full Windows 11 experience to Meta Quest headsets for virtual meetings, shared spaces, and enhanced collaboration. Preview launches in December.
Customer Lockbox for Windows 365: Now generally available, this feature enhances data protection by involving users in approval workflows for access requests to sensitive data stored on their Cloud PC's, even restricting access to Microsoft, unless specifically approved otherwise.
Enhanced Security Defaults: Port 3389 for RDP access is disabled by default on new and re-provisioned Windows 365 Cloud PCs, reinforcing security.
Strengthened Cloud Security and Management: New advanced features will enhance security protocols, improve authentication processes, and simplify management for Windows environments hosted in the cloud.
Windows App MAM Support for iOS and Android (Preview): Enables organisations to set device security criteria and customise access controls, supporting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios for enhanced flexibility and security.
Windows 365 Link
Windows 365 Link is a compact, secure device designed for seamless connection to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, offering high-fidelity experiences with fast boot times and low maintenance. It allows users to work securely from the cloud with responsive performance for apps like Microsoft Teams and Webex.
Preview Availability: Available in select markets starting April 2025.
Device Features:
Fanless, lightweight, and easy to ship.
Dual 4K monitor support, USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Local processing for smooth, high-quality experiences.
Security:
No local data or apps; corporate data stays in the cloud.
Built-in security policies and passwordless authentication (Microsoft Entra ID, Authenticator, USB keys).
Management:
Easy to manage with Microsoft Intune and minimal configuration required.
Quick setup, remote factory reset, and automatic updates.
Sustainability:
Made with 90% post-consumer recycled aluminium and 100% recycled copper on the motherboard.
ENERGY STAR® certified, energy-efficient compared to most desktops.
Hotpatch
Hotpatch for Windows, now in preview, offers a new and seamless Windows patch experience with several key benefits: -
No restart required: Updates are applied in the background and take effect immediately, allowing uninterrupted productivity.
Faster updates: Works with Windows Autopatch to reduce update deployment time by up to 95%.
Supports Windows 365 Cloud PCs: Ensures quick and efficient updates for Cloud PC environments, maintaining system security without downtime.
Administrator Protection
Windows is taking a major step to improve system security with the introduction of local administrator protection, now in preview. This feature ensures local administrative privileges are only granted temporarily and securely: -
Standard Permissions by Default: Users operate with the security of standard user permissions while still having the flexibility to make system changes when required.
Secure Authorisation: For system changes needing admin rights, users are prompted to authorise using Windows Hello.
Temporary Admin Tokens: After authorisation, a temporary, isolated admin token is created to perform the task, ensuring privileges do not persist beyond the specific action.
Enhanced Security: This approach minimises the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of administrative privileges, aligning with modern security best practices.
Security & Resiliency
Windows continues to evolve as a secure, adaptable platform, balancing an open ecosystem with advanced protections to meet the needs of a changing threat landscape. Here’s how Microsoft is strengthening Windows security: -
Enhanced Partner Standards: The updated Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) introduces stricter security and compatibility testing for integrated components, including drivers, ensuring issues are identified early and resolved proactively.
Safe Deployment Practices: MVI partners are aligning with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommendations, adopting phased updates and monitoring to minimise potential disruptions.
Streamlined Incident Response: Collaboration with MVI partners includes stronger processes for faster and more effective incident handling.
New Recovery Capabilities: A targeted recovery solution will enable fixes for compromised Windows machines, even those unable to boot. Launching to the Windows Insiders Program in early 2025, it will roll out broadly in subsequent releases.
Tackling Core Security Challenges: Microsoft is addressing critical issues like overprivileged users and apps, unverified drivers, and insecure credentials with its most significant advancements in Windows security to date.
Credentials & Authentication
As organisations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, securing credentials and authentication processes has become more crucial than ever. Windows offers advanced solutions to protect sensitive data and streamline authentication.
Windows Hello with Passkeys: Now a premium multifactor authentication (MFA) solution, Windows Hello has been enhanced to support P-asskeys, allowing users to enjoy both ease of use and high security. It also protects Recall and Personal Data Encryption, ensuring a seamless and secure sign-in experience.
Delegated Managed Service Accounts (DMSA): With more users enabling MFA, attackers are turning their attention to service accounts. To combat this, DMSA is being introduced to automate credential management and rotation for these accounts. This feature, which requires Windows 24H2 or Windows Server 2025, helps protect against attacks targeting service account passwords.
Trusted Apps & Drivers
For teams managing device security and software deployment, ensuring that only trusted apps and drivers are used is critical for preventing malicious attacks and maintaining smooth operations.
Smart App Control and App Control for Business: Ensure only verified apps can run on devices, protecting against threats like malicious attachments and social engineering malware.
AI-Powered Deployment: Administrators can enable a Microsoft cloud policy that allows millions of known safe apps to run, regardless of deployment source.
Customisable Policies: Line-of-business apps not recognised by Microsoft can be added easily through policy updates or Microsoft Intune-managed deployments.
Windows Protected Print: This feature works seamlessly with Mopria-certified devices, providing secure printing without requiring third-party drivers, streamlining the user experience while maintaining robust protection.
Data Encryption
In today's flexible work environments, safeguarding sensitive data is more crucial than ever. Microsoft’s Personal Data Encryption, now generally available for Windows Enterprise, takes file security to the next level. Here’s how it helps: -
User-Specific Encryption: Individual files are encrypted with a second layer of protection, accessible only when the user signs in with Windows Hello.
Continuous Protection: Keeps files secure even while the device is running or in standby mode, adding robust defence against unauthorised access.
Seamless Collaboration: Integrates with OneDrive and SharePoint on Microsoft 365, ensuring secure file sharing and teamwork.
Admin-Friendly Management: Easily enabled by IT admins using Microsoft Intune or other management tools, providing streamlined deployment and control.
Managing Windows
To support organisations in managing Windows at scale, Microsoft has introduced several advancements, particularly for businesses using modern device management (MDM) services like Microsoft Intune.
Zero Trust DNS: Managing outbound network traffic can be complex when domain names are involved. Zero Trust DNS simplifies enforcement by restricting Windows devices to approved domains, blocking all IPv4 and IPv6 traffic unless it’s resolved by a Protected DNS server or allowed by an IT admin. This enhances security by ensuring that only trusted domains are accessible.
Configuration Refresh: A solution to combat configuration drift, which happens when users or apps alter system settings unintentionally. Now in general availability, configuration Refresh helps restore PCs to MDM-defined security policies, even when offline. This feature is now generally available and ensures devices maintain their intended configuration without requiring a constant connection to the MDM system.
Windows Backup in Entra ID: This feature allows organisations to back up settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices that are Hybrid or Entra ID joined. It enables seamless restoration of settings on reimaged or new Windows 11 Entra ID joined devices, simplifying the process of restoring user preferences across devices.
Universal Print
The latest enhancements to Universal Print introduce the highly requested "Universal Print anywhere" feature, allowing users to securely print and release jobs from any device to any printer in the organisation, all while ensuring secure authentication and reducing waste.
Universal Print anywhere (Pull Print): Users can print from any device with web connectivity and securely release their print jobs to any printer within the organisation.
Secure Release with QR Code: Users authenticate and retrieve print jobs at their chosen printer, preventing unauthorised viewing and reducing waste.
Admin Configurations: Admins can set print options for shared Universal Print anywhere printers, limiting user access to specified settings.
Windows Search
Finding files on Windows PCs is about to get smarter and more intuitive with the latest updates to Windows search: -
AI-Powered Search: Leverages the neural processing unit (NPU) on Copilot+ PCs to let users find files by describing their content or using synonyms, making it easier to locate documents and images without exact details.
Offline Capability: Powered by the 40+ TOPS NPU on Copilot+ PCs, the improved search will work even without an internet connection for seamless file discovery.
OneDrive for Business Integration: Enhanced search will include active OneDrive files, providing a unified experience across local and cloud storage.
Expanded Availability: Launching for Windows Insider Program on Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs in early 2025, and expanding to Windows 365 Cloud PCs by spring 2025.