Whats new in Microsoft 365 | April Updates

Key insights

• Microsoft Teams introduces several updates, including faster channel creation from the “New items” menu, a new Slide Control feature for sharing PowerPoint presentations, and the ability to detect sensitive content during screen sharing. Town hall organizers can now preview events as attendees and manage what attendees see before making changes public. Bi-directional calendar syncing is now possible between Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.
  
• Outlook will soon display shared mailboxes with a distinct Shared icon in the folder pane for better visibility. A new “Shared with me” page in Settings allows users to view and manage all shared email accounts and folders they have access to.
  
• Microsoft 365 Apps receive performance improvements with a new Startup Boost task, optimizing load times for Office applications. Additionally, users can now request eSignatures directly from Microsoft Word documents using SharePoint Online eSignature.
  
• Microsoft Intune features an updated icon in the Intune Admin Center, providing a refreshed look for administrators managing device security and compliance.
  
• Microsoft Copilot: The AI adoption category is now available in Adoption Score to help track Copilot usage. New features include sharing Copilot summaries of transferred calls in Teams, exporting meeting responses to Word or Excel, improved drafting tools in Outlook, automatic presentation summaries in PowerPoint, bullet point conversion capabilities, and referencing files when creating forms with Copilot.
  
• Microsoft Admin & Security Updates:
  - Threat classification: Now included in Mail flow status summary and Threat protection status reports within Microsoft Defender for

  Introduction: Unpacking the Latest Microsoft 365 Updates

  In April 2025, Microsoft rolled out a series of significant updates across its Microsoft 365 suite, as detailed in a recent YouTube video by Nick Ross [MVP] (T-Minus365). The video aims to distill the most relevant changes for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and organizational IT leaders, cutting through the noise of the numerous monthly announcements. These updates span popular tools such as Teams, Outlook, Office Apps, Intune, Copilot, and the Admin experience, each introducing new features or enhancements designed to improve productivity, security, and user experience.

  This news story breaks down the key changes, their anticipated impact, and the challenges organizations may face as they adapt to these new capabilities. By exploring both the benefits and trade-offs, the article aims to provide readers with a clear and objective overview of what’s new in Microsoft 365 this month.

  Microsoft Teams: Enhanced Collaboration and Control

  The April 2025 updates introduce several enhancements to Microsoft Teams aimed at streamlining communication and event management. For example, users will soon be able to create new channels directly from the “New items” menu, reducing the need to navigate through lengthy team lists. This change, expected to roll out by late May, could save time and reduce friction for users managing multiple projects.

  Another notable update is the new Slide Control feature, which allows presenters to share control of their PowerPoint presentations during meetings and events. This collaborative approach not only boosts engagement but also ensures smoother transitions between speakers. Additionally, Teams is introducing sensitive content detection during screen sharing, a proactive security step that will alert organizers to potential data exposure. While these features enhance usability and security, organizations must balance increased functionality with the potential complexity of managing new controls and alerts.

  Furthermore, Teams town halls are set to benefit from ultra-low latency attendee experiences, allowing participants to remain more closely synchronized with live content. Bi-directional calendar syncing with Google Workspace is another valuable addition, simplifying scheduling for organizations using multiple platforms. However, integrating new features always poses adoption challenges, especially as users must learn and trust the new workflows.

  Outlook and Office Apps: Smarter Email and Document Management

  Microsoft Outlook is receiving updates that will make shared mailboxes easier to identify and manage. The visual distinction of shared mailboxes, coupled with a new “Shared with me” settings page, is designed to improve clarity and control for users who handle multiple accounts. These changes, expected by August 2025, align Outlook’s behavior more closely with legacy versions, which should ease the transition for long-time users.

  On the Office Apps front, a new Startup Boost task aims to optimize the performance and load times of applications. This improvement is intended to enhance user productivity by ensuring applications start quickly and efficiently. Moreover, SharePoint Online’s eSignature feature now extends to Microsoft Word documents, allowing users to request signatures without first converting files to PDF. This not only streamlines document workflows but also reduces the risk of errors or delays associated with file conversions.

  Microsoft Copilot: AI-Powered Productivity Gains

  The Microsoft Copilot suite sees several advancements, reflecting Microsoft’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence for workplace productivity. A new AI adoption category in the Adoption Score helps organizations track Copilot usage and measure progress towards daily integration. For Teams users, Copilot can now summarize transferred calls and allow sharing of meeting responses to external apps like Word or Excel, fostering better information flow across platforms.

  PowerPoint users will benefit from automatic presentation summaries and the ability to convert text to bullet points or lists via Copilot, making content creation faster and more intuitive. In Outlook, the Draft with Copilot feature enables users to highlight and rewrite specific email sections, supporting more effective communication. While these AI-driven tools promise efficiency, they also introduce questions around user dependence on automation and the need for ongoing training to maximize their value.

  Admin and Security: Strengthening Oversight and Compliance

  For IT administrators, Microsoft Defender for Office is adding threat classification to its reports, offering deeper insights into email attacks and supporting more informed security decisions. Meanwhile, Microsoft Purview’s data security and compliance solutions for generative AI applications are transitioning to a pay-as-you-go model. This shift could help organizations better manage costs but may require careful budgeting and monitoring as usage grows.

  Additionally, the introduction of a new icon for Microsoft Intune in the Admin Center aims to modernize the interface and improve usability. As always, rolling out new security and compliance tools demands a balance between robust protection and maintaining an efficient, user-friendly environment.

  Conclusion: Navigating Change in Microsoft 365

  Overall, the April 2025 updates to Microsoft 365 reflect Microsoft’s commitment to evolving its services to meet the changing demands of modern workplaces. While new features enhance collaboration, security, and efficiency, they also require organizations to manage the transition thoughtfully. The trade-off between adopting innovative tools and ensuring user readiness remains a central challenge.

  As Nick Ross [MVP] (T-Minus365) highlights in his video, staying informed and proactive is essential for maximizing the value of Microsoft 365. With regular updates and new capabilities on the horizon, organizations must remain agile and prepared to adapt in order to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

  

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