Every month, ITCloud compiles and summarizes the most important Microsoft announcements for CSP partners. Copilot promotions, certification updates, billing changes, product news and security opportunities, find here all the essential information to support your Microsoft customers.
The new Copilot is here: The opportunity for Microsoft partners
Partner Center Announcements – September 2026
Usage-based billing default-on announcement
Partner Center Announcements – August 2026
Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace
Frontier Accelerate – Overview on Microsoft Learn
AI Business Solutions and Security Partner Experience (ASPX)
Office LTSC 2021 end of support announcement
Business Applications release plans move to the AI at Work roadmap
Announced: September 25, 2026.
Microsoft brings together Home (Chat, Cowork and the full power of Office), Code (solution-building for every knowledge worker) and Autopilot (a persistent, proactive and personal agent hosted in the cloud) in a single Copilot experience. The rollout is taking place through the Frontier program.
Partner Opportunities
Useful Links
Effective: November 2, 2026. New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licenses (standalone and bundles) purchased through CSP will include usage-based billing (pay-as-you-go) by default, with the required Azure subscription already configured.
Eligible Experiences
Recommended Actions
Useful Link
Effective: September 1, 2026. The new Copilot Cowork CSP Activation incentive rewards CSP partners (direct bill and indirect resellers) who drive adoption and usage of Copilot Cowork with their customers. It stacks with existing CSP incentives.
Customer Requirements
Recommendations
Useful Link
Available until: December 31, 2026. New nonprofit-specific CSP promotions make Microsoft 365 Copilot more affordable and create opportunities for renewals, upselling and AI conversations.
Recommended Actions
Useful Link
Announced: September 23, 2026. Partners can now validate growth margin eligibility through APIs before transacting, ahead of the CSP growth margins launch on October 1, 2026.
Recommended Actions
Useful Link
Date: August 31, 2026. Two certifications were retired and replaced with AI-focused certifications:
Impact: Solutions Partner designations for Security and AI Business Solutions, as well as the Agentic Business Solutions, Azure Virtual Desktop, Cloud Security and Infra and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure specializations. Certifications completed before retirement remain valid for one year.
Useful Link
Partners can earn the Frontier Transformation Engineer badge to demonstrate that their teams are ready to deliver Microsoft Frontier AI solutions.
Useful Link
The Frontier Partner specialization has been live since September 30, 2026. Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace (September 28) brings ISV Success, Marketplace Rewards, Azure IP co-sell and certified software designations together into a single journey: Build & Publish, Grow and Differentiate.
Two Engagement Levels
Useful Links
Announced: September 8, 2026. AI-driven signals identify the customers most likely to adopt Copilot, surface deployment blockers and prioritize the highest-potential opportunities.
Recommended Action
Review your ASPX dashboard and build an outreach plan for Copilot-ready accounts.
Useful Link
Starting: September 2026. Microsoft is automatically onboarding managed Sentinel customers to the unified Microsoft Defender portal. Admins receive a notice about 30 days in advance. Connectors, content and data are retained. Microsoft Sentinel in the Azure portal retires on March 31, 2027.
Partner Actions
Useful Link
End date: October 13, 2026. No security updates, bug fixes or technical support will be provided after this date. Visio LTSC 2021 and Project LTSC 2021 are also affected. No ESU program is available.
Opportunities
Useful Link
Recommended Action
Download the updated price list from the Pricing workspace in Partner Center and update your quotes. Position ESU as a bridge to Windows 11 or Azure Virtual Desktop.
Useful Link
Announced: September 9, 2026. An AI-powered migration tool that helps partners move customers to Dynamics 365 faster, starting with Salesforce-to-Dynamics 365 migrations.
Recommended Action
Identify Salesforce customers in your pipeline and request preview access.
Useful Link
Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Dataverse now publish in the AI at Work roadmap, alongside Microsoft 365 and Copilot. The Release Planner retires on November 15, 2026, and release waves are replaced by continuous disclosure.
Useful Link
Useful Link
MDTI convergence with Sentinel & Defender XDR
Azure Reservation Exchange Policy Changes
Microsoft 365 Copilot Partner FAQ
Global Promotion Readiness Guide
Accelerate with Microsoft 365 E5
Multi-Tenant Agent Management Overview
Partner Guidance & Communication Kit (Copilot app update)
Omdia study: Mastering the Modern Customer Journey
What: Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence (MDTI) standalone SKU is retired. MDTI capabilities are now included in Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Sentinel at no additional cost.
Key dates
Partner action
Useful link
Effective: February 1, 2027. Azure reservation exchanges will no longer be available for services covered by Savings Plans.
Partner opportunity
Useful link
The Copilot Success Planner helps guide 30-day Microsoft 365 Copilot Business trials with personalized adoption plans for users and administrators.
Partner benefits
Useful links
Extended through Dec. 31, 2026
Microsoft 365 E3
Ending Sept. 30, 2026
Microsoft 365 E7 promotional offers
Partner focus
Useful links
Effective: September 3, 2026. Branding update only. No change to licensing, billing, functionality, or user entitlements.
Partner action
Useful link
50% Off Purview Suite for Business Premium
Available through Dec. 31, 2026 for customers with Business Premium and Copilot.
Microsoft 365 E5, Defender & Purview Promotions
Available through Sept. 30, 2026. Discounts available on E3, E5, Defender Suite, and Purview Suite.
New CSP Security Add-ons
Partner opportunities
Useful links
Public preview now available in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, enabling management of agents across multiple customer tenants from a single interface.
Partner benefits
Useful link
Effective: October 1, 2026. A 5% cost-of-capital uplift will apply to annual-term CSP software subscriptions billed monthly.
Partner action
Useful link
Starting Aug. 18, 2026, Microsoft is introducing a simplified Copilot app experience and transitioning to copilot.cloud.microsoft.
Partner action
Useful links
Omdia research highlights the importance of AI-powered marketing, multitouch campaigns, modern measurement, and effective use of co-op funds.
Useful links
The Partner Skilling Hub is now Microsoft’s primary destination for partner compliance learning.
Useful link
Key updates include:
Useful link
Updated Cowork partner launch kit
Cost management deck and one-pager (Cowork)
Competitive resources on Level Up
Copilot Cowork partner session recording (June 18)
Cowork microskilling on the Microsoft Partner Skilling Hub
Partner Copilot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
MCAPS Start for Partners sessions
Partner Center announcements – July 2026 (Microsoft 365/Copilot promotions)
Microsoft Learn – Azure reservation exchange policy changes
FY27 Cloud & AI Platforms resources
Windows 365 GPU Frontline Select 256 GB support page
Partner Center announcements – July 2026 (designations and specializations)
Partner Center announcements – July 2026 (certification exam retirements)
Microsoft is introducing Copilot in 30, a new Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner-led trial offering designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to get hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot Business and explore use cases across their organization through a structured 30-day experience.
Built for organizations with fewer than 300 employees, Copilot in 30 combines a new 25-user, 30-day Microsoft 365 Copilot Business trial with resources and guidance that partners can use to help customers get started and assess potential value.
The trial offer will be available in CSP starting August 1, 2026.
Next steps
Get ready for the Copilot in 30 launch:
To help ensure Education Student customers continue to receive the appropriate Microsoft Entra ID P2 Education pricing, partners must renew existing Education Student customers to a new SKU beginning July 1, 2026.
The existing Education Student SKU (CFQ7TTC0LFK5:0019) will be retired and replaced with Microsoft Entra ID P2 (Education Student Pricing) (CFQ7TTC0LFK5:001H). This update aligns with current Microsoft Entra product naming and pricing for Education Student customers.
Next steps
Beginning July 1, 2026:
Following the general availability of Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork, partner resources and enablement materials are now available to support customer conversations, planning, and readiness.
What’s new:
Next steps
Refer to the Cowork section of the Partner Copilot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – which continues to be updated with new guidance and responses to partner questions – for the latest information.
To simplify the CSP catalog and reduce confusion, Microsoft is updating the Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 Nonprofit 3‑year offers.
Next steps
Whether you’re building AI-powered solutions, expanding managed services, or scaling your security practice, this year’s sessions at MCAPS Start for Partners give you the clarity and tools to start FY27 strong.
As of July 1, 2026, the Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot SKUs, are now generally available. These new SKUs turn a successful promotional motion into a permanent, predictable offer you can build your business around.
Two new subscriptions are now live:
There are also two live promotional offers, providing more opportunities to scale AI adoption and build pipeline:
Take advantage of FY27 Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) promotions for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot to accelerate deals and AI adoption.
All Microsoft 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 E5 promotions are extended until September 30, 2026. Microsoft 365 E7 promotions will be live through December 31, 2026.
Both Copilot one-year promotions are new for FY27 and run through September 30, 2026. Microsoft is also introducing a new Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotion and extending the Microsoft 365 Copilot Business standalone promotion through December 31, 2026.
For more details, please visit this Partner Center announcements page (July 2026).
Starting July 1, partners can unlock up to 25% savings across Windows 365 editions – giving you a powerful way to lower the barrier to entry and expand Cloud PC adoption with both new and existing customers.
The Windows 365 GPU Frontline Select 256 GB SKU is available for purchase in the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) channel on August 1, 2026.
To learn more about this SKU and how to message it to customers, visit this support page.
The Data Loss Prevention (DLP) file policy capabilities within Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps will be deprecated on January 6, 2027. After this date, all file policies configured in Defender for Cloud Apps will no longer be supported or enforced.
Actions to take: This is an opportunity to expand your customers’ Purview footprint and lead modernization conversations.
Beginning this fiscal year (July 1, 2026), Microsoft will transition to annual local currency pricing updates every January for its Commercial Cloud services, providing customers with greater pricing predictability while continuing to account for sustained fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The next local currency update will be effective January 1, 2027, and occur annually on this date, except in limited exceptional circumstances. Notifications with guidance on the upcoming year’s pricing updates will be issued in advance every November.
No action is required at this time. Partners should review the upcoming pricing schedule and plan budgets and customer conversations accordingly.
Detailed guidance on the January 2027 update will be shared in November 2026.
Impacted audience: Partners with customers who hold Azure reservations for compute and database services covered by savings plans.
Starting February 1, 2027, Azure reservation exchanges aren’t available for services covered by savings plans. This change creates a clear moment for you to lead cost strategy conversations and empower customers to make informed decisions that reflect how their workloads actually run, whether that decision means prioritizing flexibility or long-term predictability.
Impacted customers start receiving action-recommended notifications on July 30, 2026.
Your FY27 Cloud & AI Platforms go-to-market resources roll out starting in July 2026. Access discussion guides, updated product pitch presentations, and more to align conversations to FY27 priorities and move faster into market. These resources uncover customer priorities, connect Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions to business outcomes, and accelerate growth opportunities.
Next steps
Explore the new resources and get ready for FY27.
Starting in early 2027, your renewal window starts 30 days before the anniversary date (AD) of your benefits offering. The previous 30-day post-AD grace period no longer applies, and you must complete offer renewal by your anniversary date. If renewal isn’t completed, the offer and all associated benefits expire the day after the anniversary date and are no longer available unless you repurchase.
How this change applies across key offerings:
What’s new for Solutions Partner designations, specializations, and other Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program offerings and benefits.
Important: Some certifications exams are retired and replaced with new ones.
Please look at these pages for more details:
The Workplace Trends Index 2026 (WTI)
The Frontier Program on Outlook
Work IQ API Resources:
Frontier Transformation Partner Hub
Copilot Cowork General Release
Windows 365 GPU Enterprise Select 256 GB SKU Support Page
About AI Business Solutions & Security Insights
AI Business Solutions & Security Insights in Partner Center
Monthly Update to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
Partner Skilling Discussion Forum
In 2026, AI stops responding to prompts and starts running the work. Across four coordinated releases, Microsoft is turning agents into operators that execute work end to end, securely and across Microsoft 365.
2026 Work Trend Index: your conversation opener for AI transformation: The 2026 Work Trend Index (WTI) marks a decisive shift. Customers are moving from AI pilots to business wide transformation, with agents taking on execution so employees can focus on higher value outcomes.
Legal Agent in Word: a high value, purpose-built entry point. Legal Agent in Word brings agentic AI directly into legal workflows, where precision, trust, and speed matter most.
Resources:
Cowork, Critique, and Council: turning Copilot into a system of action.
Now live in the Frontier program, three new capabilities expand Microsoft 365 Copilot from assistance to execution
Resources:
Agentic Outlook: The fastest path to daily adoption
Outlook is the highest frequency surface in Microsoft 365, and now it’s agentic. As of April 27, Copilot in Outlook actively runs inbox and calendar work. This product:
Available via the Frontier program on Outlook
Starting July 1, 2026, Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot and Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot become permanent SKUs, giving you a predictable, always-on way to accelerate Frontier Transformation for small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers.
What’s changing:
Work IQ API reaches GA June 16 with consumption-based pricing using Copilot Credits.
Work IQ API is billed through a consumption-based model using Copilot Credits, a unified consumption currency that also covers Microsoft Copilot Studio and other Microsoft AI services. Copilot Credit balances can now be applied to Work IQ API usage. There’s no separate Work IQ API subscription, SKU, or per-user license.
Resources:
Effective June 1, Microsoft is introducing new license prerequisite for new Microsoft Agent 365 purchases. This update is intended to help customers have the foundational security, identity, compliance, and management capabilities required to support core Agent 365 functionality.
For new Agent 365 purchases beginning June 1:
Next steps
For more guidance, refer to the Frontier Transformation partner hub and the Agent 365 FAQ.
Turn Copilot Chat usage into Microsoft 365 Copilot deals with the Pitch Maker Agent (beta) experience. With the Microsoft 365 Copilot Pitch Maker Agent (beta), you can convert early AI usage into standardized Microsoft 365 Copilot value. Through a guided conversational experience, the agent generates a complete, data-backed business case that connects real Copilot Chat signals to customer outcomes, aligning them to core workloads like Teams, Outlook, and Excel.
Next steps
Microsoft has announced new agentic experiences in Microsoft 365 Copilot, including the general availability of Copilot Cowork and the introduction of Microsoft Scout, along with usage-based pricing using Copilot Credits.
Copilot Cowork is an agentic system designed for complex, long-running, multi-tool work. It uses organizational context across Microsoft 365 and connected systems to help move work forward while operating within existing Microsoft 365 security, compliance, and governance controls.
At general availability (GA), Cowork now has added value with several new features:
Usage-based billing
Copilot Cowork requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and usage-based billing with Copilot Credits
For partners, usage-based billing unlocks opportunities to drive Cowork usage, expand services across deployment and governance, and deliver differentiated agentic solutions.
Key actions:
Resources:
Microsoft also introduced Microsoft Scout, an always-on personal agent available in Frontier with a limited set of customers.
Azure Linux is a Microsoft-built, cloud-optimized Linux distribution designed specifically for Azure—delivering a secure, consistent, and cost-efficient foundation across virtual machines (VMs), containers, and cloud-native workloads. Built with a hardened, secure-by-default architecture and a Microsoft-managed supply chain, Azure Linux helps partners reduce risk, simplify compliance, and deliver trusted solutions to customers.
Next steps
Now available in public preview, Azure Linux gives partners a powerful new way to streamline operations, drive efficiency, and unlock greater value from their Azure-based solutions. Register customers for public preview today.
Effective June 5, 2026, Dynamics 365 Business Central online customers running on-premises deployments of Business Central via Dual Use Rights (DUR) license keys must download and replace their license keys every six months to continue using the on-premises product.
Partners are responsible for ensuring that customer subscriptions are kept up to date and products aren’t used beyond their licensed subscription terms.
Next steps
Customers may download new and replacement DUR license keys from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (MAC).
The Windows 365 GPU Enterprise Select 256 GB SKU will be available for purchase in the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) channel on July 1, 2026.
To learn more about this SKU and how to message it to customers, visit our support page.
These are effective April 30, 2026, and are live now in Partner Center.
No action is required if you already attained the designation. Prepare to meet the new skilling requirement at renewal. If you’re working toward the designation, align to the updated skilling now.
The Copilot tab of the AI Business Solutions & Security Insights dashboard surfaces data security signals alongside Copilot opportunity data, bringing data security readiness and Microsoft 365 Copilot opportunity into a single side-by-side view.
For comprehensive documentation, visit:
This month’s updates continue to enhance partner differentiation and readiness across high-demand solution areas. Key changes include specialization updates that integrate AI capabilities, revised skilling and performance requirements, and streamlined qualification frameworks to support partner growth and agility.
For more details, visit this page :
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#13
Introducing the new Partner Skilling discussion board on Tech Community—your go-to destination for skilling opportunities and expertise.
This new space is designed for you to learn, connect, and scale your business through resources and expertise made with your customers in mind.
Next steps
Visit the new Partner Skilling discussion board.
Effective June 1, 2026, eligible CSP partners can now offer 15% off the net partner price for Microsoft 365 Copilot to customers committing to this three-year purchasing agreement with 300-plus licenses through September 30, 2026.
Use the CSP Microsoft 365 Copilot promo kit and CSP Microsoft 365 Copilot partner promo FAQ to support your customer engagements.
Registration: MCAPS Start for Partners
Manage Azure resource reservations
Plan and mitigate the financial impact of RI end of availability
Migrate to next-generation virtual machine series
Learn more about Azure reservations
Microsoft 365 Copilot Partner FAQ
Microsoft 365 Copilot Overview
Frontier Transformation Partner Hub
Transform your business with AI agents in Microsoft 365
Deploy Agent 365 to secure AI apps, Copilot + Agents
As previously announced, Microsoft is extending the availability of security and management features across all Microsoft 365 enterprise suites this year. Alongside these additional features, a global pricing update will take effect across all purchasing channels on July 1, 2026.
This is a key moment for partners to accelerate renewals and upgrades.
Make sure to activate the available incentives, promotions, and offers for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, as well as Microsoft 365 Copilot Business bundles and promotions, so your customers can adopt and leverage AI value more quickly.
On July 22, 2026, MCAPS Start for Partners will bring together Microsoft leaders to share FY2027 priorities, investment focus areas, and go-to-market strategy as the fiscal year kicks off.
Register today for this transformative, free event.
As previously announced, the Power Apps per app SKU was removed from the public price list effective January 2, 2026. This change was not intended to apply to the CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) channel. The Power Apps per app SKU will be available in the CSP channel price list starting the first week of April.
This update applies to naming only. There are no changes to product features, pricing, eligibility requirements, service plans, or customer entitlements. The new names will appear on the May 1 price list. The following SKUs will be updated, while retaining their existing segment qualifiers (Education, Government, Non-Profit) and their term structure (including extended service terms).
The extended support for SQL Server 2016 will end on July 14, 2026, which increases security and compliance risks for customers who continue to use unsupported versions. Today, customers running SQL Server 2014 on Microsoft Azure virtual machines receive extended security updates at no additional cost, while those using it on-premises or on other clouds must pay for these updates. To ensure greater transparency and better alignment across deployment options and purchasing channels, Microsoft is introducing a simplified and consistent pricing model for SQL Server 2016 extended security updates in Azure, aligning pricing with on-premises and other public cloud environments.
Starting July 1, 2026, Microsoft Azure will end new purchases and renewals of reserved virtual machine instances (RI) for certain VM series.
There are no changes to existing reserved instances. RIs already purchased continue to benefit from their reservation discounts for the remainder of their term, ensuring cost predictability and continuity for customers.
Next steps:
Review current RI orders for affected VM series proactively, check expiration dates, and act before July 1, 2026 to avoid any loss of savings for your customers.
If no action is taken before July 1, 2026, the workloads of affected VMs will be billed at the pay-as-you-go rate once their corresponding RIs expire, even if auto-renewal is enabled.
Review the documentation to learn how to plan and mitigate the financial impact of the end of availability of these RIs, for example by considering an Azure Savings Plan for compute or migrating to next-generation VM series.
On May 1, 2026, Microsoft launched a new 3-year purchase option for Microsoft 365 Copilot within the CSP program. This new option aligns Microsoft 365 Copilot with existing 3-year Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 SKUs, helping partners support customers who want to undertake a long-term AI transformation.
For more positioning guidance and operational details, refer to the Microsoft 365 Copilot Partner FAQ and Microsoft 365 Copilot presentation.
Access new and upcoming readiness resources to accelerate your customer engagement strategy.
Frontier enterprise digital transformation: recording Digital Airlift, SI presentation and CSP presentation.
Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011 will expire in June and October 2026. To ensure that Secure Boot continues to function as intended on Windows devices, Microsoft is updating these certificates. Many Windows devices automatically receive the updated certificates depending on their configuration and support status, and many device manufacturers provide firmware updates when necessary. By keeping your device up to date with these updates, you can continue to benefit from the security protections that Secure Boot is designed to provide.
Next steps
Migration planning typically requires weeks of manual research and strategy development. From exporting spreadsheets and manually categorizing workloads to conducting assessments and cost analyses, then compiling all of this into a presentation that already feels outdated by the time it is shared, this process slows teams down and can even limit the pipeline. Azure Migrate consolidates this entire process into a single workflow, reducing migration planning from several weeks to just a few hours.
To learn more, read the blog and start using Azure Migrate today.
Windows 365 Business WHB SKUs are being retired from sale to simplify the portfolio. Starting May 1, 2026, new customers will no longer be able to purchase these SKUs. This update is part of broader Windows 365 Business pricing changes, including a 20% reduction in the Windows 365 Business list price aimed at improving accessibility and competitiveness for SMB customers.
This change does not affect existing customers. Those with active WHB subscriptions can continue to use and renew their current plans without interruption, as this is an end of sale only, not an end of support.
Specialization criteria update
If you currently hold a specialization or are close to qualifying for one, check your status in Partner Center. You may now be eligible to renew or enroll in a specialization.
End of the Qualified Referral Program (QRP)
Microsoft is simplifying the way partners accept, track, and close referrals with Microsoft. The QRP will be removed at the end of March 2026 and replaced by a unified co-sell experience centered on Partner Center referrals. This change reduces workflow duplication, improves pipeline transparency for both partners and Microsoft sellers, and accelerates response times. Additionally, as part of this modernization effort, Microsoft is improving its partner matching process using real-time data and AI logic to ensure the right leads are directed to partners whose capabilities and skills best match, maximizing value.
AppSource is rebranded as Microsoft Marketplace
The AppSource platform is being rebranded as Microsoft Marketplace. Le lien https://appsource.microsoft.com now redirects to https://marketplace.microsoft.com.
“Business Applications” designation update
You now have more ways to earn and maintain your Business Applications Solutions Partner designation. Dynamics 365 Contact Center and Microsoft Copilot Studio are added to the list of eligible workloads, giving you greater flexibility to meet requirements and showcase the solutions you offer.
Access the Business Applications dashboard in Partner Center to check the impact of this update on your progress and take the next step to earn or renew your designation.
Update on the end of Partner University
Partner University will be removed starting June 15, 2026, which will impact partners seeking to enroll under the Modern Work Solution Designation and the two Modern Work specializations.
Here is what partners need to know:
Keep your skills current during the transition from AZ-500 to SC-500
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) certification will be retired on August 31, 2026. To ensure a smooth transition, Microsoft is launching the Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500) certification.
During the transition period, partners can use either the AZ-500 or SC-500 to meet the qualification requirements for the Security Solutions Partner designation and specialization. Existing AZ-500 certifications remain valid until their retirement, and no immediate action is requise. The beta exam for SC-500 will be available in May 2026, with training and the exam scheduled for July 2026.
Microsoft is reducing Windows 365 Business list prices by 20% effective May 1, 2026, to make Cloud PCs more cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses. This update also introduces an on-demand start experience:
New subscriptions will benefit from the reduced pricing starting May 1, 2026, while existing subscriptions will receive the new pricing at their next renewal, depending on the purchasing channel and terms.
Demand for Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to grow as customers move from pilot to larger-scale deployments. To help you capitalize on this momentum, Microsoft is updating the CSP « Copilot for All » promotional offers with 30% and 40% discounts to broaden customer eligibility. Effective April 13, 2026.
To learn more, visit : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-april#18
Microsoft is extending the 50% promotional offer on Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium until July 1, 2026.
Plan your skills strategy now
The MS-900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals) certification is being retired. This change impacts individuals and partners who rely on MS-900 as an entry-level or baseline certification.
What it means for you:
Microsoft is streamlining how partners access and redeem the license-based cloud benefits that come with their partner benefits packages. Cloud benefits will now be redeemed through a guided experience that starts in Partner Center and is completed via a zero USD purchase flow, ensuring benefits are securely deposited and easy to manage.
Additionally, Microsoft aligned the expiration date for each benefit to the date your partner benefits package was activated—not the date a benefit was first redeemed. With benefit expiration dates now aligned to your package membership end date, the 30-day grace period for benefits expiration is discontinued.
Learn more by reading the Learn documentation.
A new premium productivity suite
Microsoft has announced Microsoft 365 E7, a new productivity suite designed to support organizations undergoing advanced digital and AI-driven transformation. This offering expands Microsoft’s high-end portfolio, combining productivity, security, compliance, and AI innovations
Partner opportunity:
To support these new offerings, the following promotions are planned to be available on May 1, 2026:
Annual (one-year) promotional offers:
Triennial (three-year) promotional offer:
Microsoft has released new Azure sales and enablement assets specifically tailored for SMB audiences, available through Partner Center. These resources help partners clearly articulate Azure value without enterprise complexity.
What’s included:
Explore the Azure SMB content collection to download assets and win customers.
Turn data into growth actions
Microsoft has introduced ASPX (Actionable Strategic Partner eXperience) in Partner Center, providing partners with deeper, more actionable insights to support growth planning and prioritization. [learn.microsoft.com]
Key capabilities:
Next steps
Microsoft Teams Shared Devices → Microsoft Teams Shared Space – Single Space
Microsoft has updated the SKU name for Microsoft Teams shared environments to better reflect usage scenarios. [learn.microsoft.com]
This is a naming change only—pricing, licensing, and functionality remain unchanged.
SKU Naming Update: Microsoft Teams Premium and Microsoft Teams Events
This update is naming-only. There are no changes to product functionality, pricing, eligibility, service plans, or customer entitlements. The new names will appear on the May 1 pricelist.
Beginning May 1, 2026, the Dragon Copilot per-user license type will be available at a reduced list price across all geographies where Dragon Copilot is currently offered, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
More details will be added to the Dragon Copilot Partner Assets page on May 1.
Windows Server and SQL Server CSP subscriptions include License Mobility rights starting April 1, 2026.
Review the partner FAQ
