Upcoming Microsoft 365 changes

Posted on by Lobsang Wangmo

September 18, 2026

Lobsang Wangmo

Excel, Microsoft 365 Announcements, OneDrive, OneNote, SharePoint, Word

Date: September 18, 2026
To: InfoTech-L, EASI website
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration
Re: Upcoming Microsoft 365 changes

 

Dear colleagues,

 

Microsoft is making several Microsoft 365 changes that may affect users. Key updates include a new OneDrive and SharePoint sharing experience, the retirement of Loop components in OneNote for the web and Word’s Similarity Checker, and future changes to Excel Power Query Exchange connections. Review the details below and prepare for any impacts to your workflows.

Microsoft has announced the following updates:

    • OneDrive and SharePoint: A simplified file and folder sharing experience will roll out in mid-September 2026. Existing shared links will continue to work. Read Microsoft Announcement
    • Loop for OneNote on the web: Loop components will retire in September 2026. Existing components will remain accessible as links to Loop content, with no data loss. For the full Loop component experience, use the OneNote desktop app for Windows. Read Microsoft Announcement
    • Microsoft Word Similarity Checker: Similarity Checker will retire on October 3, 2026. Users should review University-approved plagiarism tools as an alternative. Read Microsoft Announcement
    • Excel Power Query: The current Exchange connector will retire in April 2027. Workbooks using this connector will need to be updated to the new Exchange Mail and Calendar connectors when available. Read Microsoft Announcement

Local IT teams are encouraged to share relevant updates with users in their areas.

For questions or support, contact the Enterprise Service Centre: https://uoft.me/m365help.

Kind regards,

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