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Latest news
Microsoft publishes Ignite 2026 session catalogue for 17–20 November event
Microsoft opened registration and published the session catalogue for Ignite 2026, running 17–20 November in person and online, according to Microsoft Partner Center on 22 September. Ignite is where Microsoft typically announces licensing, Copilot SKU and AI pricing changes.
learn.microsoft.com ↗Microsoft adds 5% uplift to monthly-billed one-year CSP subscriptions from 1 October 2026
Microsoft applies a 5% uplift to one-year CSP software subscriptions billed monthly from 1 October 2026, according to Licensing School. SQL Server and Windows Server subscriptions left on monthly billing cost 5% more; annual prepayment and three-year terms are unaffected.
licensingschool.co.uk ↗Microsoft makes pay-as-you-go default for new Copilot Business CSP subscriptions from 2 November
From 2 November 2026, new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business CSP subscriptions arrive with pay-as-you-go metering and auto-apply switched on, A Guide to Cloud & AI reports. New Copilot services will then accrue consumption charges without a further opt-in.
aguidetocloud.com ↗Office LTSC 2021 support ends on 13 October 2026
Microsoft Lifecycle confirmed on 15 September that support for Office LTSC 2021, including Project, Visio and Access 2021, ends on 13 October 2026. Installations still running from 14 October get no security updates or bug fixes.
learn.microsoft.com ↗Twelve Microsoft promotions, including Copilot and E5 discounts, end on 30 September 2026
Microsoft Partner Center shows twelve promotions, including Copilot, E5, E3 and Purview discounts, expiring on 30 September 2026. Purchases and renewals after that date do not receive these discounts, such as 30% off one-year Copilot terms at enterprise scale.
learn.microsoft.com ↗Microsoft previews consumption-based flex spend plan for CSP partners
Microsoft's Partner News blog announced a sandbox preview of a consumption-based CSP offer for storage and database products on 2 September. No pricing or general availability date is published, so current CSP licensing terms are unchanged for now.
techcommunity.microsoft.com ↗Microsoft Agent 365 agent activity visibility costs $15 per user per month
Microsoft Agent 365's free tier gives only basic agent inventory and blocking; activity logs and risk scores need a $15 per user per month tier. Without the paid tier, organisations cannot see what agents are doing, according to covenant-tech.net analysis.
microsoft.com ↗Microsoft stops selling licence-included Azure VMware Solution on 31 October 2026
Microsoft announced on 18 August 2026 that licence-included Azure VMware Solution sales end on 31 October 2026. Every AVS environment must move to VMware Cloud Foundation licences bought from Broadcom or its resellers by 30 August 2027.
techcommunity.microsoft.com ↗Microsoft patches CoSnitch flaw in Copilot Personal eight months after report
The Register reported on 18 August 2026 that Microsoft fully patched the Copilot Personal flaw, first reported in December 2025. Microsoft says Microsoft 365 Copilot was unaffected, so exposure sits in consumer and Personal Copilot instances linked to apps.
theregister.com ↗Microsoft withdraws release date for Exchange Server SE cumulative update 1
Microsoft has no release date for Exchange Server Subscription Edition CU1, previously promised for mid-2026 and then late 2026, The Register reported on 17 August 2026. Subscribers cannot plan patch windows, upgrades or renewal timing against a dated roadmap.
theregister.com ↗