What's New in Microsoft 365 – August 2026

Microsoft continues to roll out new Microsoft 365 features designed to improve collaboration, productivity and the overall user experience. This month's updates introduce a redesigned Microsoft Teams meeting experience and more flexible task management in Planner, with additional Teams enhancements arriving throughout the fall semester.

Microsoft Planner: Greater Flexibility for Task Dates 

Microsoft Planner no longer automatically adjusts task dates when you edit a start date or due date. Previously, changing one date could cause the other to change automatically to maintain the task timeline. With this update, start dates and due dates can be edited independently, giving users more control over how tasks are scheduled. 

Microsoft Teams: Simpler Meeting Controls and Smarter Screen Sharing (September) 

Microsoft Teams is introducing a refreshed in-meeting experience designed to make meetings easier to navigate and reduce accidental clicks. The updated layout places commonly used controls, including the microphone, camera and screen sharing, in the center of the meeting window, while moving the Leave button to a separate location. Users will also be able to customize the meeting toolbar by pinning and rearranging frequently used controls. 

The update also includes a redesigned sharing panel with live previews of available screens and windows, along with a two-step confirmation before sharing content. These enhancements are intended to make presenting during Teams meetings more intuitive and help prevent accidental screen .

Microsoft Teams: AI Meeting Recaps with Copilot (September) 

Microsoft Teams is introducing AI meeting archives that help Microsoft 365 Copilot provide more accurate, context-aware responses about your meetings. Instead of relying solely on transcripts, Copilot will use AI-generated meeting insights to answer questions and provide more helpful meeting summaries and follow-up information. 

These AI meeting archives are created only for meetings where transcription is enabled, AI features are allowed, and at least one participant has a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. The archives are available only to meeting participants and do not store raw meeting transcripts. 

Microsoft Teams: Private Chat for Organizers and Presenters (Now November) 

Microsoft has delayed the rollout of the private chat feature for organizers, co-organizers and presenters in Microsoft Teams meetings, webinars and town halls. As previously announced, the feature will allow event organizers and presenters to communicate privately before, during and after an event without attendees seeing the conversation.  

Categories: Science and Technology