Stay ahead with the latest Microsoft Cloud product updates for August 2025. This roundup covers critical changes across Azure, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Defender, Teams, SharePoint, Purview, and Windows. Learn about new funding programs, AI-driven features, expanded DLP protections, licensing changes, and admin tools—complete with rollout timelines and security considerations for enterprise IT leaders.
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What’s New in the Hybrid Data Center?
Nutanix
Kubernetes Leadership and Database Protection Innovations
Nutanix earns top industry recognition for Kubernetes platform leadership while advancing database protection with integrated, automated, and compliance-ready solutions.
View full Nutanix update
Top Recognition in Multicloud Container Platforms
In Forrester’s 2025 Wave for Multicloud Container Platforms, Nutanix secured leader status. It’s Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), enhanced by the D2iQ acquisition, simplifies Kubernetes deployment across hybrid and multicloud environments. Cloud Native AOS now delivers enterprise-grade storage directly on public cloud and bare-metal Kubernetes– appealing for organizations moving beyond VMware.
Modernizing Database Protection
Nutanix’s latest insights highlight the limitations of native tools and scripts for database backups—often slow, complex, and unable to meet recovery time objectives. Nutanix Database Service (NDB) offers integrated protection, policy-driven automation, and faster recovery, enabling compliance alignment and minimizing downtime.
Pure Storage
Oracle ASMFD Changes and AI-Driven Performance Enhancements
Pure Storage guides customers through Oracle ASMFD migration while developing AI-optimized caching to accelerate large language model performance.
View full Pure Storage update
Migration Guidance After ASMFD Deprecation
Following Oracle’s July 2025 deprecation of ASM Filter Drivers, Pure recommends migrating to ASMLib 3 or UDEV. Combined with Oracle ASM features such as thin-provisioned attributes and UNMAP rebalance, FlashArray customers can maintain efficiency, consistency, and performance without ASMFD.
AI Infrastructure Optimization with KVA
To address LLM performance demands, Pure is developing Pure Key-Value Accelerator (KVA)—a protocol-agnostic caching solution leveraging FlashBlade. This design aims to accelerate AI workloads while ensuring high throughput and low latency. Read more about it here.
Rubrik
Cloud Backup Cost Optimization
Rubrik helps organizations cut backup storage costs without compromising recovery time objectives or data protection standards.
View full Rubrik update
Secure Cloud Reduces Backup Storage Costs
Rubrik Secure Cloud enables organizations to cut cloud storage expenses for backups while maintaining recovery time objectives. Its architecture is optimized for cost efficiency without sacrificing data protection or restore speed.
VMware
Cost-Saving Alternatives and Peer Insights
VMware customers share real-world strategies for reducing ESXi licensing costs, including migration paths to Nutanix AHV.
View full VMware update
VMware to Nutanix AHV Migration Panel
Today’s virtual panel discussion features three eGroup clients discussing strategies for reducing ESXi renewal costs. Attendees will hear firsthand how organizations navigated Broadcom’s licensing changes and transitioned to Nutanix AHV. Check out the peer learning opportunity here: Virtual Panel Discussion: Migrating from VMware to Nutanix AHV — Real Insights from IT Leaders
What’s New in Microsoft Cloud?
Azure
Azure: Funding Programs and Modernization Incentives
- Azure Accelerate Program Launch: With the new fiscal year, Microsoft has opened Azure Accelerate, providing qualified clients and projects with funding to support Microsoft Azure modernization initiatives. Programs are available for assessments, proofs of value, and deployments, offering both services and Azure credits to offset costs. It’s a strong opportunity to kick off cloud modernization projects. (🔗 Read more: Microsoft blog)
- Eligible Solution Areas: Funding covers multiple scenarios, including:
- Azure Migration & Modernization – Move workloads from on-premises or other clouds to Azure with minimal disruption.
- Azure VMware Solution (AVS) – Run VMware workloads natively on Azure infrastructure with integrated Azure services.
- Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) – Secure, scalable virtual desktops for remote and hybrid workforces.
- Disaster Recovery – Implement resilient recovery strategies to ensure business continuity.
- Data Protection – Protect and manage data across hybrid environments while meeting compliance requirements.
- AVD Security Best Practices: Deploying Azure Virtual Desktop improves security and flexibility for remote work. Microsoft has published guidance to help IT admins configure identity management, access controls, endpoint protection, and monitoring for AVD to meet enterprise security standards.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot: AI Agents, Vision, and Enterprise Governance
- Autonomous Researcher Agent: Launching August 2025, this agent—managed via Intune with its own Entra ID—can answer questions, compile data, and execute tasks. Integrates into Copilot Notebooks for advanced enterprise research. Available in Word for licensed users by September 1.
- Copilot Search GA: AI-powered enterprise search is now generally available for eligible Microsoft 365 tenants.
- Scheduled Prompts Without Power Automate: Rollout removes license dependency; creates a dedicated environment automatically with no DLP changes needed.
- Vision Support: Allows Copilot to interpret and describe images in Word, PowerPoint, and more.
- BizChat with Third-Party Data: By early August, BizChat will use Context IQ to pull data from Microsoft Graph Connectors such as Jira, ServiceNow, and GitHub.
- Budget Controls for Copilot Chat: Global/billing admins can set budget limits, receive alerts, and view six months of spend data for pay-as-you-go usage.
- Scoped Knowledge for Declarative Agents: Rolling out mid-August, limits agent access to defined data containers for compliance (Azure DevOps, GitHub, Jira, ServiceNow).
- Document Summarization in Teams: Copilot can summarize Word and PDF files within Teams chats, honoring sensitivity labels.
- Enterprise Image Libraries in PowerPoint: Integrate SharePoint OAL or Templafy image libraries for brand-consistent, metadata-rich presentations.
- Meeting Scheduling from Emails: Copilot can create meeting invitations with pre-filled details directly from conversation context.
- Custom Dictionaries in Teams Transcripts: Improve recognition of tenant-specific terminology.
- AI Communication Memory: Rolling out in September– summarizes accessible user emails, chats, and meetings for context-aware responses; enabled by default but admin-controllable.
- Copilot Search Admin Controls: New settings customize enterprise search experiences to improve governance and productivity.
Defender for Office 365
Defender for Office 365: Threat Feedback and Hunting Expansion
- Portal Dispute of Submission Results: SOC teams can dispute false positives/negatives to enhance detection models.
- Advanced Hunting Data Tables:
CampaignInfoandFileMaliciousContentInfotables enable deeper investigation into email campaigns and malicious files across Microsoft 365.
Defender XDR
Defender XDR: AI-Guided Response and Investigation Enhancements
- AI-Guided Response & Triage: Streamlines incident investigation with AI recommendations.
- Attack Path Visualizations & PDF Export: Clearer attack mapping plus export options for reporting and compliance.
- Expanded Cloud App Controls: Updated Application Inventory and Cloud App Catalog improve visibility into sanctioned/unsanctioned apps.
- Advanced Hunting Functions: New adx() and arg() operators enable deeper queries using Azure Data Explorer syntax.
Defender for Identity
Defender for Identity: Test Mode Controls and Planning Tools
- 60-Day Expiration for Recommended Test Mode: Required expiration restores original thresholds automatically after testing.
- Domain Controller Scan: Quickly assess AD DC capacity before Defender for Identity deployments. More info here.
Entra ID
Entra ID: Cross-Tenant Identity Synchronization Preview
- Automated Identity Lifecycle Sync: Synchronize create/update/delete actions across multiple tenants (e.g., commercial ↔ government or secure environments).
- As examples, this feature helps organizations that have multiple tenants (Commercial -> Government) -or- secure tenants (US Commercial -> China) automate the identity create/update/delete lifecycle.
Exchange Server
Exchange Server: Price Adjustments and Security Updates
- 10% Price Increase: Effective July 1, 2025 for Exchange Server Subscription Edition, SharePoint, and Skype.
- Critical CVE Patching: June 2025 Patch Tuesday addressed multiple high-severity vulnerabilities for Exchange Server 2016/2019—admins should verify installation.
Fabric
Fabric: Workspace Identity Permission Changes
- Default Contributor Access Removed: Late July change removes automatic Contributor rights from new and existing Workspace Identities.
- Existing and new Workspace Identities will no longer have this access by default.
Intune
Intune: SMIME Certificate Lookup Priority Control
- Outlook Mobile Policy Update: Rolling out August 29, admins can set priority order for SMIME certificate lookup to strengthen email security
- It is off by default.
M365 Apps Admin Center
Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center: Backup Notifications and License Clarity
- Multi-Admin Backup Notifications: Early–mid August rollout allows centralized alerting for Microsoft 365 Backup events.
- License Assignment Separation: New UI distinguishes direct vs. group-based license assignments for clearer administration.up to strengthen email security.
OneDrive
OneDrive: PDF Navigation and Export Update
- Table of Contents for PDFs: Mid-July to early August rollout; navigation enabled by default with no admin action needed.
- Export as PDF: Feature delayed indefinitely.
Outlook (New)
Outlook: Cross-Account Movement and Offline Features
- Cross-Account Drag-and-Drop: Starting August (Targeted Release) and October (GA), allows moving emails/files between personal and enterprise accounts; controlled via ItemsToOtherAccountsEnabled.
- Offline File Attachments: Users can attach files offline and send them automatically when reconnected.
- Text Prediction Off by Default: Applies to new users in New Outlook for Windows, Outlook web, iOS, and Android.
Places
Places: Portal Management and Desk Mode Expansion
- New Management Portal: Late August release replaces PowerShell scripts for managing buildings, floors, rooms, and desks.
- Four Desk Modes: By mid-August, admins can set desks to Unavailable, Assigned, Reservable, or Drop-in.
Planner
Planner: Copilot Licensing Requirement Changes
- License Access Restriction: As of August 2025, Planner Copilot features require a Microsoft 365 Copilot license
- Planner + Project Plan 3/5 alone will no longer suffice.
Power Apps
Power Apps: AI-Driven Page Creation and Data Integration
- Generative Pages Preview: Use AI to create fully structured pages for model-driven apps from natural language descriptions.
- Snowflake Connector GA: Available August 31, enabling faster analytics and data integration in Power Platform.
- Power BI AI Feature Transition: Cognitive Services and Azure ML features retiring September 15, with AI capabilities moved to Microsoft Fabric.
Purview Information Protection
Purview Information Protection: Expanded DLP and Sensitivity Enforcement
- Image Metadata Scanning: DLP now classifies sensitive data in image metadata when OCR is unavailable.
- Fabric DLP Policy Support GA: August 2025 rollout for lakehouses, KQL databases, and mirrored databases.
- Library Sensitivity Label Integration: Automatically applies sensitivity labels to all files in a SharePoint library; GA by August 2025.
- Endpoint DLP Collection Policies: Enable targeted data collection without enforcement for more precise discovery.
SharePoint
SharePoint Online & Server: Analytics, UI Updates, and Retirements
- Page Analytics Enhancements: Long-term performance metrics with export capabilities.
- UI Refresh: Updated header and footer designs rolling out automatically.
- Hero Links: Single, secure links for file sharing to improve collaboration security.
- App Insights in SAM: Provides visibility into non-Microsoft apps accessing SharePoint content.
- Feature Retirements: SharePoint Add-Ins and 2013 workflows retiring April 2, 2026—plan migration to SPFx or Power Automate.
Teams
Teams & Teams Chat and Channels — New Client Rollout, File Sharing, and Workflow Improvements
- Classic Teams Retired: End of support July 1, 2025; users should migrate to New Teams or web version.
- Share Apps/Agents: Available from profile or side panel in Windows, Mac, and web.
- File Attachments in External Chats: Enabled via FileSharingInChatsWithExternalUsers PowerShell policy.
- Saved Messages: Available August 2025 for various platforms (excluding EDU tenants).
- Redesigned Workflows App: Faster, simpler automation with natural language flow creation and new templates.
- Threaded Conversation Layout: Enables side-pane replies; managed via Teams Admin Center.
- Compact Toast Notifications: New smaller notification style for Windows users.
- KYC Onboarding for Phone Numbers: One-time verification required before provisioning new numbers.
Teams Meetings — Immersive Experiences and AI Meeting Summaries
- Mesh Retirement: December 1, 2025, replaced by Immersive Events.
- Immersive Events Public Preview: Teams Premium feature for interactive 3D events with avatars, spatial audio, and custom environments.
- Meeting Audio Overview: AI generates topic summaries from meeting audio for Copilot users; rollout mid–late August.
- Countdown Timers: Set visual/audio timers up to 100 minutes with overrun tracking.
- Slide Control Sharing: Multiple presenters can control slides in meetings/events.
- Network Strength Indicator: Displays connection quality with 3-bar system by end of August.
Teams Phone — Copilot Features and Admin Customization
- Copilot for Calls: Available late August for Teams-certified phones with Copilot license.
- Custom Line Key Behavior: Mid-September rollout enables ringtone/function personalization per line key.
- Admin Line Key Configurations: Supports personal and common area phones for tailored setups.
- Voice Apps Express Setup: Simplified Auto Attendant/Call Queue setup with built-in testing.
- Pay-As-You-Go License Enforcement: Outbound calls will fail without license after November 1, 2025.
Teams Admin Center & Premium — Network Readiness and Event Latency Improvements
- Silent Test Calls: Mid-August feature lets IT run network checks without user disruption; requires Premium license.
- Meeting Issue Visibility: Proxy and DNS failure data now available in Teams Admin Center.
- Ultra-Low Latency Town Halls: Late August rollout for Teams Premium customers, reducing delay for live events.
Windows
Windows: Security Update and Update Channel Streamlining
- July 2025 Security Update: Available for all supported versions; prompt installation recommended.
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Changes: Preview channel ends in 2025, Extended ends in 2026—migrate to twice-yearly update cycles.