Announcements

Reminder: Feb. 28 Azure Data Studio Retirement – Transition to Visual Studio Code

As a follow-up to our initial communications beginning in March 2025, and reiterated in recent communications, this is a reminder that Microsoft will be retiring Azure Data Studio on February 28, 2026, consolidating its SQL tools in Visual Studio Code.

To maintain security compliance and support, we recommend that current ...

AMS System Maintenance – March 14

Dear AMS Users,

Please note that the systems below will be unavailable on Saturday, March 14 from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. due to system maintenance:

  • Academic Administrative Appointments (AAA)
  • AMS SAP GUI
  • Capital Projects Portal
  • Employee Self-Service (ESS)/Manager Self-Service (MSS)
  • EvoSuite Applications (EvoOrder, EvoPlan, EvoNotify)
  • Fiori ...

Microsoft Teams Begins Removing Location Data from Shared Photos

Dear users,

Microsoft is introducing a privacy-enhancing change in Microsoft Teams that affects how photos are shared in chats and channels. This update helps prevent unintended sharing of location and device details embedded in images.

What is changing

Microsoft Teams will automatically remove hidden image metadata, also known ...

Upcoming Change to Teams Desktop Client on Windows

Dear users, 

Microsoft announced an upcoming change to the Microsoft Teams Desktop Client for Windows that improves performance and the calling experience. 

What is changing

Microsoft is introducing a new process named ms-teams_modulehost.exe in the Teams Desktop Client for Windows. This process will run alongside the main Teams application (ms-teams.exe) and ...

Microsoft Teams Enhances Protection Against Unsafe Files and Links

Dear users, 

Microsoft Teams is rolling out enhanced messaging security that may affect how some files and links behave in chat and channel conversations. This change is designed to protect users from potentially unsafe content, but you may notice warnings or blocked items if they are deemed risky. 

What is ...

Outlook on the Web: New Contacts Experience

Dear users, 

Microsoft is updating the Contacts (People) experience in Outlook on the web. This change introduces a new layout for viewing and managing contacts and removes the option to switch back to the older contacts interface. 

What is changing

The People and Contacts area in Outlook on the web is moving ...

Upcoming change affecting U of T email on some mobile devices

Dear colleagues, 

Microsoft is making a security and reliability update to Exchange Online that may affect a number of older mobile devices used to access U of T email. 

What is changing 

Starting March 1, 2026, Microsoft will no longer allow connections to Exchange Online from devices using very old versions of Exchange ...

AMS System Maintenance – January 31

Dear AMS Users,  

Please note that the systems below will be unavailable on Saturday, January 31 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. due to system maintenance:

  • Capital Projects Portal
  • Employee Self-Service (ESS)/Manager Self-Service (MSS)
  • Expense Reimbursement Direct Deposit
  • My Research (MR/Portal)

See our System Availability page ...

Upcoming Microsoft Planner Changes in Early 2026 

Dear colleagues, 

Microsoft has announced a major update to Microsoft Planner that will begin rolling out in early 2026. This update will introduce new capabilities and retire several existing features and integrations, including some options that connect Planner with other Microsoft 365 apps. 

What is changing 

    • Microsoft ...

New Microsoft 365 companion apps on Windows 11 devices

Dear users,

Microsoft has announced an update to Microsoft 365 on Windows 11 that introduces new companion apps designed to simplify everyday work. 

What is changing 

Starting in late 2025, Microsoft began automatically installing new Microsoft 365 companion apps on Windows 11 devices that have Microsoft 365 desktop ...