Between July and November 2025, a wave of new features is arriving—from Outlook’s smart text predictions to Teams’ enhanced collaboration tools and Copilot’s AI-powered image generation. Wondering what’s new, what’s being retired, and how to make the most of these changes? This blog covers every critical update, helping you adapt effortlessly and stay ahead of the curve.

Microsoft Outlook: Text Prediction Now Disabled by Default

As of July 1, 2025, Outlook’s Text Prediction feature has been automatically turned off in:

• New Outlook for Windows
• Outlook on the web
• Outlook for iOS & Android

If you want to keep using predictive text suggestions, you’ll need to manually turn it back on in your settings. This change gives you more control over your email experience.

How to Re-enable Text Prediction:

• Outlook on the web: Settings > Mail > Compose and reply > Text predictions
• New Outlook for Windows: Settings > Mail > Compose > Text predictions
• Outlook mobile (iOS/Android): Settings > Account > Compose options > Text predictions

Microsoft Outlook: Additional Restricted File Types

Outlook on the web and New Outlook for Windows now block two additional file types:

• .library-ms
• .search-ms

These file types are rarely used. However, if you need access to them, your IT team can add them to the AllowedFileTypes setting in your mailbox policy.

SharePoint and OneDrive: Add Watermarks to PDFs

You can now add customizable text or image watermarks to PDFs in Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint. Control the watermark’s:

• Formatting
• Position
• Transparency
• Rotation

These watermarks will appear in other PDF tools but can only be edited or removed within OneDrive or SharePoint.

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Microsoft Teams: Move Attendees from Waiting Room to Green Room

Presenters in Microsoft Teams can now move attendees directly from the waiting room to the green room using the Participants roster.

Key details:

• Green room = A virtual backstage area for prep and collaboration before going live
• Available on Windows, Mac, and web
• Ideal for managing webinars, town halls, and structured meetings

This update simplifies presenter workflows by eliminating extra steps for attendee management.

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Coming Soon to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 Copilot: AI Image Generation Now Available

Microsoft 365 Copilot's AI image generation feature is now live (as of July 2025). Create professional images directly within:
• Word • PowerPoint • Outlook • Other 365 apps

Key details:

• License needed: Full access requires a Copilot subscription
• Limited functionality: Some commercial users may have restricted features based on their plan
• Workflow benefits: Saves time on design tasks while maintaining brand consistency

Microsoft Teams: Enhanced Threaded Conversations Now Available

Microsoft Teams has introduced a new threaded conversation layout for channels, making discussions more organized and focused.

Key benefits:

• Reply directly to specific messages
• Start side discussions without cluttering the main thread
• Follow multiple topics more easily within a channel
• Available across all Teams platforms (Desktop, Web, Mobile)

This update helps teams reduce noise and improve collaboration in busy channels.

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Microsoft Project Transition: Key Changes Now in Effect

Microsoft has officially retired Project for the web and Project in Teams as of August 2025. All functionality has moved to the enhanced Planner platform, which now includes key Project features for better task management.

Immediate Changes:

• Project for the web & Roadmap → Redirects to Planner (no longer accessible)
• Project tabs in Teams → Must be replaced with Planner tabs
• Roadmap creation/viewing → No longer available (use Planner Portfolios instead)

Action Required:

• Switch to Planner for web & Teams
• Update Teams tabs by re-pinning Planner
• Migrate Roadmap data to Planner Portfolios (if needed)
• Transfer projects from Project for Windows via the Project Power App

This consolidation provides a more streamlined project management experience across Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Lists Mobile Apps: Retirement Details

Microsoft will discontinue the Lists mobile apps for iOS and Android by mid-November 2025, shifting focus to the mobile browser experience.

Key Dates & Changes:

Late June 2025 → In-app retirement notifications begin
Mid-September 2025 → New installations disabled
Mid-November 2025 → Apps removed from stores

What You Need to Know:

• Existing data remains safe – Accessible via desktop or mobile browser
• No new features will be added to the mobile apps
• Browser experience will receive all future updates

Recommended Actions:

• Start using Lists via mobile browser for the latest features
  Export any app-specific settings if needed

This change allows Microsoft to deliver a more consistent Lists experience across platforms.

Microsoft’s 2025 updates reflect a clear shift: smarter automation (Copilot), streamlined collaboration (Teams), and consolidated tools (Planner replacing Project). While some changes require action—like re-enabling Outlook features or migrating data—they ultimately deliver more intuitive workflows. Bookmark this guide to navigate transitions confidently, and watch for more innovations as Microsoft continues evolving its ecosystem.

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Don’t Miss Outlook’s New Newsletter feature

Looking for an easier way to share updates with your team? Outlook’s new Newsletters feature lets you create and send polished, professional newsletters directly within Outlook—keeping everyone informed and engaged. Currently in Preview, this feature can be enabled by admins for select users or the entire organization. Want to learn more? Check out our full blog for details on how to set it up and make the most of this powerful tool.