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 as EXIF data, from pictures shared in chats and channels. This includes details such as GPS location, camera model, and device information.
The visible image itself is not altered. Only the hidden metadata is removed.

Who is affected

• • Anyone sharing images in Microsoft Teams chats or channels.

  • This is particularly relevant for teaching and learning activities that use photos, field work, clinical or placement contexts, and anyone concerned about location privacy.

Action required

• • No action is required for most users.

  • If you need to preserve EXIF metadata for legitimate academic or research purposes, share the image using a OneDrive link or another approved file-sharing method instead of pasting or attaching the image directly in Teams.

Timeline

• • General availability. Rollout begins in mid-February 2026 and completes by early March 2026.

  • Timelines are provided by Microsoft and may change.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please submit a ticket to the Enterprise Service Centre at (https://uoft.me/m365help).

Kind regards,

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
Information Technology Services, University of Toronto

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 separately handle calling features. The goal of this change is to improve application startup time, resource usage, and overall calling performance.
No action is required by end users.  

Timeline

• • Rollout begins early January 2026.
  • Expected completion by late January 2026.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please submit a ticket to the Enterprise Service Centre at (https://uoft.me/m365help). 

Kind regards, 

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
Information Technology Services, University of Toronto 

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 changing

Starting January 2026, Teams enabled messaging safety features by default for tenants using the original default settings. These protections include: 

• • Blocking certain file types that could be misused or weaponized. 

• • Displaying security warnings on potentially unsafe links. 

• • Offering users the option to report incorrect detections. 

These features were turned on by default. 

Impact you may see

• • Some attachments may be blocked from sharing if they are on Microsoft’s “weaponizable file type” list. 
    
  • Teams may show a security warning before opening certain links.
    
  • A “report incorrect detection” option may appear when a file or link is flagged. 

What you can do 

• • For sharing files that may be blocked, use OneDrive or SharePoint with links instead of direct file attachments.
  • Note that users can report false positive detections in the Teams interface when available.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please submit a ticket to the Enterprise Service Centre at (https://uoft.me/m365help). 

Kind regards, 

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
Information Technology Services, University of Toronto 

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 to a new People Hub interface. 

• • Your contacts have not been removed. They are available in a new layout. 

• • The updated experience includes faster search and automatic linking of duplicate contacts. 

• • Contact cards may also display additional organizational information where available. 

The previous “New Contacts” on or off toggle will no longer be available once this update is applied. 

No action is required. 

• • Continue accessing your contacts through Outlook on the web. 

• • Familiarize yourself with the new People layout and updated contact management options. 

Timeline 

• • Targeted Release: Mid-January 2026 to late January 2026 

• • General Availability: Late February 2026 to mid-March 2026 

Rollout timing is managed by Microsoft and may vary by user. 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please submit a ticket to the Enterprise Service Centre at (https://uoft.me/m365help). 

Kind regards, 

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
Information Technology Services, University of Toronto 

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 ActiveSync (EAS). Exchange ActiveSync is the technology used by some built-in mobile mail apps to sync email, calendar, and contacts. 

Devices and apps that use Exchange ActiveSync version 16.1 or higher will continue to work normally. 

Who is affected 

We have sent targeted communications to the impacted users. 

This change only affects mobile mail apps that use an older connection method. It does not affect email on computers or the Outlook mobile app. 

Most modern devices and apps already support the required version and are not expected to be impacted. The Outlook mobile app is not affected by this change. 

Timeline 

• • Now to February 28, 2026. Users should update devices and apps as needed. 

• • March 1, 2026. Connections from unsupported Exchange ActiveSync versions will be blocked by Microsoft. 

Resources 

• • Exchange ActiveSync in Exchange Online. Microsoft Learn. 

• • Outlook for iOS and Android. Microsoft Learn. 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please submit a ticket to the Enterprise Service Centre at (https://uoft.me/m365help). 

Kind regards, 

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)
Information Technology Services, University of Toronto