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
Microsoft is retiring standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans due to low demand, unintended usage, and higher operational costs. Access to SharePoint and OneDrive capabilities will continue primarily through Microsoft 365 suites, which offer more secure and integrated experiences.
Key timelines
Next steps
Cloud Ascent is updated by the end of February, providing you with visibility of which customers are impacted by this change.
The enforcement of Extended Service Terms (EST) in CSP has been extended from the previously announced April 1, 2026, to May 4, 2026.
What is Extended Service Term (EST)?
Extended Service Term allows customers to continue using their service after expiration, billed monthly at:
Effective May 4, 2026, Microsoft will retire the free grace period that previously applied when a subscription expired without renewal. Canceling at the end of the term will result in the service stopping immediately upon expiration.
Which subscriptions are affected?
EST applies to license-based services across all channels that meet all of the following criteria:
To better support partners, Microsoft is expanding eligible workloads to create more pathways to qualify for the designation.
Eligible workloads*
Exchange Online, Intune, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Entra ID P1, SharePoint Online, Teams, Teams Apps, Teams for Frontline Workers, Teams Meetings, Teams Phone, Teams Phone Calling, Teams Phone Enabled Users, Teams Rooms Monthly Active Devices, Viva Connections, Viva Engage, Viva Goals, Viva Insights, Viva Learning, Viva Topics, Windows 365
*Subject to change/availability may vary.
As of February 13, 2026, new benefits are available across each of the three Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) benefits packages, and for select Solutions Partner designations and specializations.
Starting February 1, 2026, Microsoft is launching the Dragon Copilot Physician Practice offer for CSP‑authorized partners. This new offer is designed specifically for physician practices and enables partners to deliver the full Dragon Copilot experience in a simpler, more cost‑effective way for small and mid-sized healthcare customers.
The offer reduces administrative overhead, includes capped license quantities, and supports single‑tenant deployments, making it easier for partners to manage and scale deployments. It gives partners a clear, competitive path to grow Dragon Copilot adoption within the SMB healthcare segment while maintaining a high‑value end‑user experience.
Key takeaways
Next steps
In September 2023, Microsoft announced that new Azure virtual networks would require explicit outbound connectivity methods by default, instead of falling back on default outbound access. Based on customer feedback, we’re extending the timeline to give you more flexibility
What’s Changing?
Starting after March 31, 2026, this new default behavior will apply only to API versions released after that date.
For more details, please visit this page: Azure updates | Microsoft Azure
Microsoft has built a flexible portfolio of promotional offers to help you meet customers at every stage of their AI journey—making it easier to land and scale Copilot deployments. Each promotion creates a natural entry point to attach your high‑value services—from AI readiness and adoption to governance, managed services, and custom agents built with Copilot Studio. This is how they all fit together:
Up to 35% off 10+ seats of Microsoft 365 Business + Copilot Business bundles to help make AI foundational for every SMB customer. (Available to SMB customers purchasing up to 300 licenses) Dec1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update | Microsoft 365 Blog
Target upcoming renewals for Microsoft 365 + Copilot bundle
Partner resources have moved to new Partner Hub
Microsoft 365 pricing and packaging updates are coming in 2026.
Microsoft announced expanded availability of security and management capabilities to the commercial Microsoft 365 suites starting in 2026. Along with these added features, there will be a global price update to these suites across all purchasing channels effective July 1, 2026.
Price increases will apply to new and renewing customers starting July 1, 2026. Existing customers on commercial Microsoft 365 subscriptions impacted by the price increase will see the new prices at their next renewal after July 1, 2026.
Start renewal conversations now to lock in current pricing and drive upsells!
For more details, please read this Microsoft Blog :
Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update | Microsoft 365 Blog
Beginning January 21, 2026 partners can download a report with customers renewing Microsoft 365 Business with upsell recommendations.
Turn Microsoft 365 Business Renewals into Copilot Business Growth. Access Copilot Business Recommendations – now live in Partner Center AI Assistant. CSP partners can quickly identify upcoming Microsoft 365 Business renewals, recommended Copilot Business upsell paths, and eligible promotions to help drive more impactful customer conversations.
When you have customers whose Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions are up of renewal in the next 60 days, the AI assistant can help you:
For more details on how to use this feature, please visit this web page : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-january
As a Microsoft Partner, you can now upsell Entra ID P2 and Defender for Endpoint P2 to existing Microsoft 365 E3 customers through CSP.
This motion is intentionally guided and targeted. It’s designed for Microsoft 365 E3 customers who aren’t yet ready for Security Suites or Microsoft 365 E5 but have a clear need to strengthen identity protection and endpoint security today. It also preserves a natural growth path to broader security suites as customer needs evolve.
Immersion Briefings provide a top-of-funnel event engine to help attract new customers and accelerate growth. These one-to-many sessions empower you to demonstrate Microsoft 365 Copilot + Agents and Secure AI Productivity in real-world scenarios that showcase AI-driven business value.
Microsoft is co-investing in your success by helping offset delivery costs. Immersion Briefings are a proven way to drive demand and deliver measurable growth opportunities.
For more information, please contact your ITCloud representative.
In December Microsoft migrated their Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform, and Microsoft 365 partner portals from Transform to a new, unified AI Business Solutions (ABS) Partner Hub. Built on Power Pages, this new web site offers:
Explore and update your bookmarks to key assets and pages on the new AI Business Solutions and CSP partner sites
(CSP) partners on new commerce can strengthen renewal and upsell efforts with extended Microsoft 365 suite promotions through June 30, 2026.
On February 1, 2025, Microsoft introduced a new promotional offer designed to help customers more easily secure and govern Microsoft 365 Copilot. By reducing price sensitivity and addressing data security barriers, the offer aims to accelerate Copilot purchasing and deployment. Originally set to expire in February 2026, the promotion is extended to June 30, 2026.
This promotion enables eligible customers to purchase Microsoft Purview Suite (formally E5 Compliance) licenses at a 50% discount for accounts with existing or new Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses.
Ignite Book of News: aka.ms/BookofNews
Ignite Session Catalog: https://aka.ms/IgniteSessions
Nicole Dezen’s Ignite Blog: Partners leading the AI transformation: Microsoft Ignite 2025 recap
News and announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Microsoft Ignite 2025 Book of News
Ignite- AI Workforce Session catalog
Microsoft Ignite 2025: Copilot and agents built to power the Frontier Firm | Microsoft 365 Blog
Ignite Keynote [on-demand]: Innovation Session: Security in the Agentic Era – the Core Primitive
Microsoft Ignite: Ambient and autonomous security for the agentic era | Microsoft Security Blog
Agents built into your workflow: Get Security Copilot with Microsoft 365 E5 | Microsoft Security Blog
Agent 365 capabilities will be available via the Frontier program. Aka.ms/frontierprogram
Strategic Themes
Key Partner Announcements
New M365 Copilot SKU & Bundles
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Launch – GA Dec 1st
Agents
Microsoft Agent 365
Work IQ
Microsoft Agent Factory
Agents
Introducing Sales Development Agent
Copilot Studio & Power Platform
Power Platform empower makers to more easily build and govern app Visit for details
Copilot Studio new enhancements to give makers/admins flexibility & control when building/managing agents.
Copilot Studio in Microsoft 365 adds file creation, context access Visit for details
Securing Agentic AI
News across Defender, Purview
Entra/Agent 365
Migration & Infrastructure
Data & Analytics
Microsoft recently announced the retirement of several Azure virtual machine Series. The affected series are: F, Fs, Fsv2, Lsv2, G, Gs, Av2, Amv2, and B.
Ref: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/updates/?id=500682
Note :
Only Intel-type Series are affected by this announcement. AMD- type Series are not affected. You are receiving this email because one or more of your customers are impacted by this notice.
The implications:
Your customers will need to upgrade their Series. This is a minor operation that requires planning: Shutdown + Change + Reboot. And don’t forget, the Reserved Instances.
The goal of our intervention:
To avoid any service interruptions or price surprises, it is essential to anticipate this transition.
Dates:
Starting…
November 15, 2025
3-year Reserved Instances will no longer be available
November 15, 2027
1-year Reserved Instances will no longer be available
November 15, 2028
These VMs can no longer be used or purchased
Information:
Your account representative is aware of this situation; you can contact them at any time.
You can schedule an appointment with one of our Azure specialists ( Booking ).
We can assist you in your alternative Azure virtual machine Series replacement choices.
Individuals or organizations who elect to continue using Windows 10 after support ends on October 14, 2025, will have the option of enrolling their PCs into a paid ESU subscription. This enables them to continue receiving critical and important security updates through an annual subscription service after support ends.
To learn more:
Effective April 1, 2026, the free grace period for accessing services on non-renewed subscriptions will be discontinued. Customers and partners will have three choices after expiration:
About the extended service term:
Be aware that beginning April 1, 2026, subscriptions that meet all three of the following conditions will automatically be moved into EST at expiration: purchased on or after April 1, 2025; expires on or after April 1, 2026; and auto-renew is set to off.
More information on how this will be implemented on your ITCloud partner portal will be communicated to you very soon.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, Microsoft will be renaming its Microsoft 365 E5 mini-suites.
Microsoft 365 E5 Security becomes the Microsoft Defender Suite
Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance becomes the Microsoft Purview Suite
M365 Copilot – ScaleUp CSP Offer (October 1st to December 31st)
Windows 365 20% off Promotion (Extended to April 30th)
New Targeted Microsoft 365 E3 Annual CSP Promotion- 20% off
(October 13 to December 31st)
