Microsoft Ignite kicked off this week, and we've already seen some major announcements from the company. Many of those announcements center around agents, which have been a hot-button topic lately. The newly announced Microsoft Agent 365 will help organizations manage and deploy agents.

Agents are AI tools designed to automate specific tasks. Microsoft says people can "think of agents as the apps of the AI era," which is quite bold considering how essential apps have become.

Agents can streamline tasks, perform repetitive actions and analyze data. Importantly, they can act across different environments.

An IDC study sponsored by Microsoft predicts there will be 1.3 billion agents by 2028. To help people manage and deploy those agents, Microsoft has created Agent 365.

Agent 365 works with agents created using Microsoft's tools, such as Copilot Studio or Microsoft Foundry, or open-source frameworks. Microsoft outlined five key capabilities of Agent 365 during Ignite 2025:

• A registry to give you a single source of truth for all the agents in your organization
• Access control to manage agents and limit their access to only the resources
  required to perform specific tasks
• Visualization—a unified dashboard and advanced analytics to see connections
  between agents, people, and data, and monitor agent behavior and performance in real time
• Interoperability to equip agents with apps and data to simplify human-agent
  workflows
• Security to help protect agents from threats and vulnerabilities and detect,
  investigate, and remediate attacks that target agents

Agent 365 is about managing agents even if they are not made by Microsoft. But Microsoft does have a growing army of agents within its software suite.

Microsoft 365 Copilot will also feature dedicated Word, Excel, and PowerPoint agents. Agent Mode in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will allow users to work interactively with Copilot.

A similarly named Agent Mode in Copilot Chat will bring together web data and referenced files to help create content.

Outlook has some agent features on the way as well, though our Senior Editor Zac Bowden covered those in a separate piece.

The Windows 11 Taskbar is about to get an agentic upgrade as well, though the agentic nature of Windows has drawn criticism.

A post on X by Microsoft's Windows lead Pavan Davuluri received so many negative responses that Davuluri disabled replies to his post. He later responded to the criticism and assured people that the Windows team is listening to feedback.

It's safe to say Microsoft is hoping for a warmer reception when AI agents roll out to Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and Copilot than when the concept of an agentic OS was first discussed by Davuluri.

Microsoft has announced several new recovery tools and features coming to Windows 11 that are designed to help users bring a PC back to a working state in the event of catastrophic failure. The company is outlining a handful of new features that will help keep your PC operational, or make it easy to bring it back to operational even if an update or driver takes it offline.

The first new feature is something called point-in-time restore, which will let users "rollback a PC to the exact state it was in an earlier point in time." Microsoft says this feature should help people recover from a wide range of issues, including problematic updates or drivers, and configuration errors.

Other recovery improvements include built-in networking support in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE.) While WinRE has supported networking for a long time, it always required manually injecting the network driver first. Now, WinRE will pull the networking driver from the main Windows OS install, meaning you no longe need to inject the driver yourself. This will work first with ethernet, but will eventually support Wi-Fi with WPA2/3 too.

The company has also announced a new cloud rebuild feature, which will let enterprises configure where work-issued PCs grab their recovery images from. Enterprises will be able to use Intune to select the necessary language and OS release, and will lean on OneDrive for business to ensure user data is maintained throughout the reinstallation process.

For POS machines, Microsoft is adding a new mode that will automatically hide any Windows error dialogs that might normally appear on public-facing displays. "This new Windows mode is perfect for machines which drive non interactive public displays, whether that be a restaurant menu or an airport flight display. Once enabled, it helps ensure no Windows screens or error dialogs will show on your public displays. For Windows screens and errors messages needed for diagnostics and recovery, Windows will only show the screen or error for 15 seconds and then turn off the screen while waiting for keyboard or mouse input to reactivate.

• Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) was released for general availability earlier this year and is soon getting increased networking capabilities and Autopatch management for enterprise level control of QMR updates.
• Intune recovery is remote management of the Windows Recovery Environment – A single, scalable management plane for recovery, enables customers to execute custom recovery scripts and to trigger recovery actions. Azure Portal will have the same ability for Windows Servers hosted in Azure VMs. Now generally available.
• Point-in-time restore: Roll back individual or groups of devices to a previous state, before an issue started occurring, without complex troubleshooting.
• Cloud rebuild for Windows 11 (preview): Rebuild PCs experiencing erratic behavior, reducing downtime. You’ll be able to select the Windows release and language through the Intune portal. The PC will download the install media, rebuild itself, and let the user take over with the out-of box experience where Autopilot will ensure the right MDM management is configured. The user gets apps, PC settings, and their files quickly through Intune, Windows Backup for Organizations, and OneDrive.

These new recovery tools are designed to make Windows 11 more resilient when it comes to faulty updates or drivers. In the event that a PC is taken offline by a bug or faulty code, it shouldn't be difficult to restore the PC to a working state, ideally with no data lost.

Since the big CrowdStrike outage in 2024, Microsoft has taken Windows resiliency very seriously. It's moved to ensure Windows being taken offline is an issue that can be easily addressed, even remotely, so that functionality can be restored as soon as possible.

It just announced a major driver signing update that will see drivers be held to a higher standard, while reducing reliance on proprietary kernel level drivers from OEMs. It's all in the name of ensuring the Windows core is as stable as possible.

Microsoft has announced that it's making changes to how Windows drivers are built and signed, extending its new driver resiliency playbook beyond just anti-virus makers in an effort to ensure drivers are safe, secure, and more reliable.

The most important change is that going forward, signed drivers will have to meet a higher security and resiliency bar, passing many new certification tests. Microsoft also says that it expects to see a significant reduction in code that runs in kernel mode over the coming years, including drivers that deal with networking, cameras, USB, printers, storage, and more.

The company also says that Windows is gaining an expanded set of in-box drivers and APIs, which should allow OEM partners to replace their custom or proprietary kernel-level drivers with standardized Windows drivers, which should help stabilize the OS and also has the added benefit of less overall system bloat.

Here's the rundown of the changes being made to Windows drivers:

• Driver signing will require a higher security and resiliency bar with many new certification tests.
• We are expanding Microsoft-provided Windows in-box drivers and APIs so partners can replace many custom kernel drivers with standardized Windows drivers or move logic to user mode.
• Over the coming years, we expect a significant reduction in code that runs in kernel mode across driver classes such as networking, cameras, USB, printers, batteries, storage and audio.

Microsoft says that Windows will continue to support third-party kernel mode drivers, and that it will not limit partners from innovating where Windows doesn't have in-box drivers. Graphics drivers will continue to operate in kernel mode, for example.

"For kernel-mode drivers, we’re adding practical guardrails that improve quality and contain faults before they become outages. These include new mandatory compiler safeguards to constrain driver behavior, driver isolation to limit blast radius, and DMA-remapping to prevent accidental driver access to kernel memory."

These changes are designed to strengthen and stabilize the OS. Microsoft is obsessed with ensuring that third-party drivers aren't able to take down the OS, like the CrowdStrike driver did back in July 2024. These improvements should mean the OS is less bloated at a kernel level, while also being more stable.

Microsoft has announced a new wave of AI productivity features that are expected to debut on Windows 11 in early 2026. These new features are designed to make using Windows 11 easier and more productive, using AI to streamline the experience and make getting work done faster.

First up, Windows 11 is gaining the ability to generate or rewrite text universally across the OS. You'll be able to lean on AI to generate text in any text box, across any apps. On Copilot+ PCs, this feature will even lean on the on-board NPU, meaning it won't require an internet connection.

The built-in Outlook app is also gaining the ability to generate AI summaries within the app. This will provide a glanceable overview of your inbox, allowing you to prioritize what's most important first. Word is also gaining the ability to automatically generate alt-text for images, which is super handy.

Lastly, Windows 11 is gaining a feature called "fluid dictation," which is an AI-powered voice feature that is designed to turn speech into polished text. This text will have corrected grammar, punctuation, and remove any filler words or sounds on the fly. It sounds like this feature will make transcribing a breeze.

Here's the rundown of new features as depicted by Microsoft:

• Writing assistance (preview): Rewrite and compose capabilities for any text box in any app, plus offline support on Copilot+ PCs.
• Outlook summary (preview): AI-generated summaries in Outlook.
• Word auto alt-text (preview): Automatic alt-text for images in Office documents for accessibility.
• Fluid dictation (preview): AI-powered voice feature that turns speech into polished text, correcting grammar, punctuation, and filler words in real time.

Microsoft says all of these new AI features will be available on all Windows 11 PCs, regardless of if your PC is Copilot+ capable. That said, if you do have a Copilot+ PC, some of these features will work faster, as they'll lean on the on-board NPU to process requests instead of reaching out to the cloud. This means your PC will be able to use things like generate text in text boxes even when offline.

Microsoft has announced big changes that are coming to BitLocker encryption on Windows 11 in 2026. The company has unveiled a new 'hardware accelerated BitLocker' that will be available on new devices starting next year, which encrypts data faster using dedicated hardware instead of the CPU.

"Hardware-accelerated BitLocker brings faster and more secure disk encryption to Windows by leveraging modern SoC and CPUs," Microsoft explains. "Cryptographic operations are now offloaded from the main processor to dedicated hardware, boosting performance and reducing system overhead. On supported hardware, encryption keys are now hardware-protected by being wrapped and isolated at the silicon level, which helps to minimize exposure to CPU and memory vulnerabilities, and raises the bar for data protection."

BitLocker has been shipping on Windows since Windows Vista, but and is used today to encrypt data on an OS drive by default. For users signed in with a Microsoft account, your BitLocker encryption key is uploaded to the cloud, which you can access by signing into the Microsoft Account website.

With BitLocker encryption, your PC's data is inaccessible to anyone that isn't you. If your laptop is stolen, and the hard drive is extracted and plugged into another device to scrape data from, the computer won't be able to read the contents of the drive without the BitLocker decryption key.

BitLocker is enabled on all new installs of Windows 11, though it can be disabled by the user if they don't want it. With the new hardware accelerated BitLocker, the encryption process will be much faster and more secure, being encrypted at the silicon level.

The new BitLocker was announced alongside other security enhancements coming soon to Windows 11, including a more resilient driver stack that "raises the bar" when it comes to driver signing. Plus, it's also reducing reliance on proprietary kernel-level drivers for peripherals, replacing them with in-box Windows drivers.

OpenAI's Sora 2 is now available within Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft announced the integration during its Ignite 2025 conference, which runs throughout this week. Sora 2 brings improved video creation capabilities to Microsoft 365. The tool went viral shortly after launch due to the quality of the clips generated.

Sora 2 can make content much more realistic than the previous version of Sora. The tool has earned both praise and criticism, since AI-generated videos are a controversial topic. Sora 2 supports a "cameos" feature that creates the likeness of a person that can then be placed in content.

Sora 2 launched as an invite-only tool, but there is now another option to use the model. Commercial users who are part of Microsoft's Frontier program can now use Sora 2 within Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Sora 2 in Microsoft 365 Copilot

The addition of Sora 2 to Microsoft 365 Copilot matches a pattern set by Microsoft. Earlier this year, the tech giant added the original version of Sora to Bing Video Creator. Microsoft has largely shifted away from the Bing brand when it comes to AI and made Bing Video Creator part of Copilot recently.

Today's announcement is about Sora 2 coming to Microsoft 365 Copilot, specifically, so the model integrates with the Create experience in supported applications.

Create is available to commercial users in the Frontier program.

Copilot supports short AI-generated clips made using Sora 2. When you make a video project with Copilot, you can use tools for voiceovers, add music, and include elements from your brand kit as well.

AI video minus the "slop"

OpenAI announced Sora 2 last month. The video generator is significantly more capable than its predecessor and pushes the limits of AI video creation. The Sora team at OpenAI shared that it thinks Sora 2 may be the "GPT 3.5 moment for videos."

GPT 3.5 came out in March 2022 and marked a drastic improvement in AI capabilities. Based on early results from Sora 2, I'd say the team from OpenAI chose the correct comparison to highlight the power of the new video creation tool.

Sora 2 can follow detailed prompts and create videos that appear to follow the laws of physics more closely than previous models. Sora 2 also has several new features, such as "cameos" that let you place yourself into AI-generated videos.

The tool can generate some truly impressive videos, as shown by the fake clip of OpenAI's Sam Altman stealing art from Studio Ghibli HQ.

The launch of Sora 2 coincided with the release of the Sora app on iOS.

Several major tech companies are pushing the limits of AI-generated videos. Meta released "Vibes" in September, and Google unveiled its Gemini-powered Nano Banana in the same month.

FAQ

Microsoft has confirmed that CEO Satya Nadella will not speak at this year's Ignite 2025 conference. Instead, newly appointed CEO of commercial, Judson Althoff, will take center stage and lead the main keynote in November.

"Judson Althoff, now CEO of our commercial business, will lead the Microsoft Ignite keynote at Chase Arena in San Francisco," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Windows Central. "Judson will be joined by several other leaders, including, Scott Guthrie, Ryan Roslansky, Asha Sharma, Charles Lamanna, Arun Ulag and more."

This will be the first Microsoft Ignite conference where Satya Nadella hasn't headlined the day 1 keynote. Nadella recently announced that he was handing over much of his day-to-day commercial responsibilities to Althoff, allowing him to focus more on the company's "highest ambition technical work."

This change in role is likely why he's no longer keynoting at Ignite, as he was previously listed as a speaker on the Ignite website until recently. With Satya's efforts now focused elsewhere, it seems Althoff will take the lead at this year's Ignite.

Microsoft Ignite has historically been all about IT professionals and commercial customers, and this year seems to be no different. AI is the current hot topic, and we anticipate much of what Microsoft will talk about will be related to how AI is impacting and enhancing commercial customers and IT professionals.

This year's Ignite is happening on November 18-21, and is taking place in San Francisco, with over 17,000 expected to attend in person and online. The keynotes will be streamed live for those who can't attend in person, and many of the sessions will also be available to watch online after the fact.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced several security features at Ignite 2024.
• The tech giant introduced the Windows Resiliency Initiative during the conference, which focuses on strengthening security through enhanced admin privilege controls, improved identity protection, and learning from recent incidents, such as the CrowdStrike disaster that occurred this past July.
• Quick Machine Recovery, one of the key features announced, allows IT admins to execute targeted fixes from Windows Update remotely even if a PC is unable to boot.

Windows has been around in some format for almost four decades and has become ubiquitous in professional environments. With billions of PCs running Windows, systems running the operating system are often the target of attacks. Microsoft invests a massive amount of time and money to help secure systems and provide tools that IT admins can utilize to protect data and devices. During Microsoft's Ignite 2024 conference, the tech giant outlined its efforts to secure Windows 11, explained why systems should be upgraded to the latest version of Windows, and shared details about new security features that are on the way.

The online portion of Microsoft Ignite 2024 runs from November 19 to November 21, so there will be a lot of discussion about Windows, security, and new features that are on the way. However, Microsoft shared summaries and details about the most important updates that will be discussed at the conference.

Quick machine recovery

The headline security feature announced at Ignite 2024 is Quick Machine Recovery. The feature allows IT admins to execute targeted fixes from Windows Update remotely, even if a PC is unable to boot. Remote access is the key, as it reduces the time required to fix bricked PCs.

Many of the new security features announced and highlighted at Ignite 2024, including Quick Machine Recovery, stem from lessons learned from the CrowdStrike incident this past July. Earlier this year, an issue caused one of the largest outages in history, affecting airlines, TV broadcasters, retail spaces, 911 operators, and several other industries. The IT outage was considered catastrophic. Because the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) appeared on systems, Microsoft received a massive amount of criticism following the incident, even though the issues were not Microsoft's fault, at least directly. Security features such as Quick Machine Recovery should help resolve similar issues in the future, though I'm sure Microsoft would prefer to never see another CrowdStrike-level event.

Quick Machine Recovery will enter testing among Windows Insiders in early 2025.

Admin privileges

Microsoft discussed "longstanding challenges with Windows security" at Ignite 2024. One of the ongoing issues is overprivileged users and applications being able to harm systems. One reason that administrator privileges are an issue is because organizations have two options: give a user administrator privileges or make someone a standard user. This hard split lacks the nuance that's needed in many workflows.

Limiting administrator privileges is a wise policy since those with admin rights can make registry changes and install applications. However, PCs also require administrator privileges to adjust a time zone. If made a standard user, a person may need to create a ticket for an IT admin to do a basic task like changing a time zone. Microsoft is working to find a balance and is testing a solution to this issue.

A new feature called Administrator protection, which is currently in preview, allows standard users to gain temporary access to elevated privileges after secure sign-in. After using Windows Hello to verify identity, Windows will create a temporary isolated admin token to do a specific job, such as installing a needed application. That token is then destroyed after the task is completed, so the user is dropped back down to standard privileges.

Administrator protection is set up in a way that attackers cannot retain administrator privileges even if they have access to a system since the feature requires Windows Hello authentication and created tokens are temporary.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10

Microsoft's emphasis on Windows 11 being more secure than Windows 10 persists when looking through materials from Ignite 2024. I suspect that Microsoft is eager to find ways to convince people to upgrade to Windows 11 before Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2025.

Millions of PC users have been reluctant to upgrade systems to Windows 11 or are unable to upgrade their devices to Windows 11 due to minimum hardware requirements. Ironically, one of the features Microsoft highlighted during Ignite 2024, TPM 2.0, is a major reason so many PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft highlighted new and existing features that improve security on Windows 11 PCs, including Credential Guard, Local Security Authority protection, and BitLocker being enabled by default on many modern devices. The company also removed insecure code when making Windows 11.

According to Microsoft, reported security incidents have dropped by 62%, and firmware attacks have been reduced threefold due to the security efforts of the tech giant.

I don't doubt that Windows 11 is more secure than Windows 10. Microsoft has clearly put in the effort to improve security and set minimum hardware requirements that are in line with its vision for securing devices. Still, I predict that Microsoft will discover that many people will run unsupported devices due to being unable to afford a new PC or being unwilling to switch away from an otherwise usable device.

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What you need to know

• Microsoft 365 Copilot will soon be able to run AI models locally, reducing the requirement to use the web to perform AI tasks.
• The new capability was announced during Microsoft Ignite 2024.
• Microsoft also discussed the delay of Windows Recall and upcoming improvements to Windows Copilot Runtime during its conference.

Copilot+ PCs will soon get a boost through Microsoft 365 Copilot. During Ignite 2024, Microsoft announced that Microsoft Copilot 365 will be able to utilize NPUs within Copilot+ PCs to run AI models locally. That addition will reduce the reliance on the web when it comes to performing AI-powered tasks. The tech giant also discussed the delay of Windows Recall and highlighted new features on the way for developers who are looking to take advantage of AI-focused hardware.

Up to this point, Copilot+ PCs haven't had standout features that take advantage of an NPU. Windows Recall has been delayed several times, and I don't think features like background blurring webcams move the needle when it comes to purchasing habits. There are third-party applications that take advantage of NPUs, but Microsoft hasn't rolled out an impressive set of Windows 11 features that make a Copilot+ PC feel special. That could change with the new features announced at Ignite 2024.

Copilot+ PCs running AI locally

Microsoft 365 Copilot will soon be able to take better advantage of NPUs on Copilot+ PCs. The biggest addition will be the ability to run models locally, allowing people to use AI without having to use the web as often. AI writing assistance within Outlook and Word is one way that Microsoft 365 Copilot will use local AI power.

Microsoft used phrases like "we have only just begun unlocking new possibilities with Microsoft 365 Copilot on Copilot+ PCs" in its press material. Unsurprisingly, the tech giant took a more positive approach to discussing Copilot+ PCs and focused on the potential of the devices. But many experts, including our Senior Editor Zac Bowden argue that Microsoft's big 'Copilot+ PC' launch has been a total disaster.

Microsoft announced Copilot+ PCs back in May, creating some hype for new hardware. But with Windows Recall delayed, strange limits on what can be called a Copilot+ PC, and Apple introducing competition in the AI computer space, Copilot+ PCs haven't gained traction that was once expected.

I'd argue that the rollout of features like running AI models local with Microsoft 365 Copilot on Windows 11 will make the best Copilot+ PCs actually feel like Copilot+ PCs rather than computers with a shortcut to the web version of Copilot.

Windows Recall

Microsoft took some time during Ignite 2024 to address Windows Recall being delayed. The feature, which uses AI to take images of your screen to let you search through your history, led to widespread backlash over security concerns. Microsoft had to rip Recall out of Copilot+ PCs just before the devices launched, taking out what was once a flagship feature of Copilot+ PCs.

I agree with Microsoft's decision to ensure Windows Recall is secure, but the announcement and rollout of the feature has been lackluster. But it is what it is, and the tech giant now has to focus on making sure Windows Recall meets security demands, and that's what Microsoft focused on during its Ignite conference.

Microsoft cited feedback received about Windows Recall and reiterated that the feature will be secure. Windows Recall will also be disabled by default and IT admins will have to enable the feature before any employee can opt to use Windows Recall. Microsoft will also improve the security of Windows Recall with additional data encryption and Windows Hello protection.

Interestingly, Microsoft's press material related to Windows Recall does not mention specific dates for testing or rollout. The company did, however, say that it looks forward to hearing feedback about the new Windows Recall experience.

Windows Copilot Runtime (WCR)

Developers will gain new tools for taking advantage of AI-focused hardware such as NPUs. Windows Copilot Runtime, which was announced at Build 2024, is designed to help developers make AI apps.

Microsoft outlined the new imaging APIs in Windows Copilot Runtime. These will be available in Windows APK SDK 1.7 Experimental 2, which will be released in January 2025:

• Image super resolution: API increases fidelity of the image as well as upscaling the resolution of the image. This API can be used to enhance clarity of blurry images.
• Image segmentation: API enables separating foreground and background of an image, as well as removing specific objects or regions within an image. Creativity apps like image editing or video editing can easily bring background removal capabilities in their apps using this API.
• Object erase: This API enables erasing unwanted objects from the image and blends the erased area with the rest of the background.
• Image description: API provides a text description of an image.

Adobe Premiere Pro, Affinity Photo, and several other third-party applications already use Windows Copilot Runtime. That list should grow as more APIs become available for developers.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced several new features for its Edge browser at Ignite 2022.
• Edge Workplaces allow team members to share a set of browser tabs that stay up to date in real-time.
• Website typo protection and enhanced security mode improve security when using Edge.
• Live captions, instant answers, and an upgraded Narrator experience make Edge more accessible.

Microsoft announced a load of features at its Ignite conference, including new capabilities for Teams and Microsoft 365. The company also unveiled several new tools for its Edge browser. Soon, users will be able to work together on a shared set of browser tabs through Microsoft Edge Workspaces. Two new security features of Edge have increased protection against malicious websites. Additionally, the browser has become more accessible with the addition of live captions, instant answers, and an enhanced narrator.

Microsoft Edge Workplaces are now in preview. They allow people to work together on a shared set of tabs that update in real-time. Microsoft shared an example of an onboarding experience for a new employee. With the feature, the new worker could be directed to a single Microsoft Edge Workspace rather than a list of links and documents. When a person clicks a Microsoft Edge Workspace, all files and links within it will open as browser tabs.

Edge's new security features, website typo protection, and enhanced security mode, are already available. When browsing the web, it's easy to type a URL wrong. Sometimes, malicious actors will obtain the rights to a domain for a webpage that's often entered by mistake. Website typo protection will suggest a genuine site rather than a fraudulent one.

Enhanced security mode is an optional security feature that applies more conservative settings to unfamiliar websites. The tool disables just-in-time JavaScript compilation, which can be used as part of an attack. 

Moving over to accessibility, Microsoft has several new tools within Edge. Live captions can now appear whenever a person plays media within an Edge window. This functionality is separate but similar to the built-in live captions tool on Windows 11.

A new instant answers feature will show suggested results when a user types a query into the Microsoft Edge address bar. For example, the browser will show the temperature in an area when someone types a city name and "weather."

The improved narrator in Edge can provide contextual information for various items on the screen. The feature also makes it easier to fill out form fields, such as entering a name or email address on a website.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced that its Loop app is now in private preview at Ignite 2022.
• The Loop app allows users to collaborate on projects through workspaces, pages, and components that sync across Microsoft 365.
• Microsoft also announced several new options for Loop components, including inserting polls into Word for the web documents and copying a Loop component to Whiteboard in Teams.

Microsoft Loop components allow people to work together across Microsoft 365. They consist of pieces of content that sync across apps, emails, and chats. Microsoft has been working on Loop since last year and announced several new features for it at Ignite 2022.

The Microsoft Loop app is now in private preview. In it, people can use workspaces, pages, and components to collaborate. Any changes made to these elements will sync throughout Microsoft 365. The company plans to get feedback from private preview users to shape the future of the app.

Microsoft is also expanding Loop components to be usable in more ways within the Microsoft 365 suite. It will soon be possible to insert polls, checklists, or task list components within Word for the web documents. Summoning content involves typing the @ sign and selecting suggested items.

Copying an existing Loop component to Whiteboard in Teams will be possible as well. Users will be able to do so on either the web or desktop.

By the end of 2022, poll components powered by Microsoft Forms will sync across Outlook on the web and Word for the web. This should help users keep track of survey responses, quiz answers, and word clouds as they're updated by people.

Microsoft will also introduce a Q&A Loop component type that will let people collect answers in real-time. That feature will roll out in November 2022.

In addition to gaining new capabilities, Loop components will have new security options. Users will be able to encrypt components by marking them as confidential, restricting access, or highlighting the fact that sensitive data is being shown. They'll also have Data Loss Prevention similar to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

What you need to know

• Registrations are now open for Microsoft Ignite 2022.
• People can attend Ignite in person or view the conference remotely.
• Ignite is aimed at developers and IT professionals.
• The conference starts at 9 AM PT on October 12, 2022 and runs through October 14, 2022.

Microsoft Ignite 2022 is just around the corner. The conference, which is aimed at IT professionals and developers, will start at 9 AM PT on October 12, 2022 and run through October 2022. Registration for the event is now open.

There are two ways that people can attend Microsoft Ignite this year, in-person or digitally. Both require registration but only one requires payment. Attending Microsoft Ignite in-person will cost approximately $1,895, though the exact cost will depend on the pass option that people choose. An FAQ page breaks things down further.

"Level up your skills as Microsoft, industry, and partner experts guide you through the latest technology with immersive demos and live sessions," says Microsoft. "Plus, connect and collaborate with your community both in person and digitally."

Throughout the three-day event, Microsoft will hold keynotes, core theme sessions, product deep dives, and provide opportunities to network within the industry. Microsoft Ignite Spotlights will also be held. They provide "connection opportunities that help you gain insights from local leaders, partner experts, and your community," according to Microsoft.

Several featured speakers will be part of the event:

• Satya Nadella: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
• Scott Guthriee: Executive Vice President, Microsoft Cloud + AI Group
• Alysa Taylor: Corporate Vice President, Industry, Apps, and Data Marketing
• Vasu Jakkal: Corporate Vice President, Security, Compliance, and Identity

You can register for Microsoft Ignite through the event's webpage.

The Seattle Convention Center will have the following at Ignite, as listed by Microsoft:

• Collaborate and ideate in person with Microsoft and partner technology innovators and experts who span the breadth of the Microsoft Cloud, devices, and services.
• Participate in on-site forums hosted by Microsoft and partner leaders to discover insights to optimize current and future technology.
• Experience product demos that explore the latest in technology and solutions for: 
• Productivity and collaboration
• Intelligent business applications
• Customer insights
• New product and service innovations
• AI and automation
• IoT
• Mixed reality
• End-to-end security
• Sustainability
• Industry-specific cloud services and more

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Microsoft is bringing their flavor of the metaverse to Teams with Mesh next year. Dan and Zac also check out other announcements from Ignite, and Intel's 12th Gen processors.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on November 5th 2021.

Links:

• Microsoft is bringing the metaverse to Microsoft Teams with Mesh in 2022 | Windows Central
• Experts agree that Intel's 12th Gen CPUs bring the fight back to AMD | Windows Central
• Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel can now try out Android apps | Windows Central

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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

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What you need to know

• Edge for Linux is now generally available.
• The first production version is Edge 95.

Microsoft Edge for Linux is now ready for production use, as the company has today made the browser generally available for the Linux platform. Edge for Linux went into preview earlier this year, and is shipping today with Edge version 95.

Microsoft Edge for Linux is just like Edge for Windows and macOS, meaning you won't be missing out on any features (apart from IE mode, which requires Windows.) You'll be able to sync all your bookmarks, passwords, form data, and extensions across platforms with Edge.

The stable release begins with Edge 95, which includes improvements to the Edge download experience, the ability to pick up where you left off in PDF documents, and a new efficiency mode for when your laptop enters battery saver.

You can grab the stable version of Microsoft Edge by grabbing it drectly from Microsoft, or you can use a terminal command to install:

sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable

What you need to know

• Microsoft has unveiled a new app for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
• The app is called Loop and introduces a canvas-like work environment to Office.
• It integrates Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote and Teams under one experience.

Microsoft has today unveiled a new app for Microsoft 365 subscribers dubbed "Loop" which is an app that attempts to reimagine and combine the traditional elements of Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and even Teams, into one canvas that enables groups of people undertaking projects to be more productive.

Today's announcement highlights three key areas of Microsoft Loop:

• Loop components are atomic units of productivity that allow users to complete work and collaborate in the flow of work – on a Loop page, in a chat, email, document or online meeting. Loop components can be as simple as lists, tables and notes or as sophisticated as a customer sales opportunity from Dynamics 365. Because Loop components stay in sync across Microsoft 365 apps, users are always working with the latest information.
• Loop pages are flexible canvases where users can organize their components and pull in helpful elements like links, files or data in ways that suit their specific project needs. Loop pages can start small and continue to grow to match the size of the ideas.
• Loop workspaces are shared spaces that allow users to see and group everything important to their project. Loop workspaces make it easy for users to catch up on what everyone is working on, react to ideas and track progress toward shared goals.

Microsoft says more component types will be added over time, including voting tables, status trackers, notes, and task lists. Microsoft is also highlighting a feature called Context IQ that uses AI to turn insights into actions, powered by the Microsoft Graph. It supercharges Microsoft Editor with suggestions for relevant files or documents, or can find available calendar times for multiple people.

Context IQ is being implemented across all Microsoft 365 applications, including Microsoft Loop:

• When you need to attach, insert, or share a filewith colleagues, Editor suggests a relevant file or document based on similar subjects or because you have created or worked on them before.
• When you try to schedule a meeting in an Outlook email, Editor will recognize that effort and will recommend times when everyone is available, saving you time and context switching.
• When tagging colleagues in a file using the @ symbol in a commentor email, Editor recommends potential people to tag based on colleagues you currently work with or stakeholders you have previously tagged for document reviews.
• When you may be collaborating on a sales opportunity, and need to pull in Dynamics data, Editor will suggest related Dynamics 365 information as a Loop component allowing you to update andtake an action on it in the flow of your work.
• When entering data or objects as you write, Editor suggests information such as a frequent flyer number when booking a flight online or a sales message when collaborating in Teams.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Ignite is returning once again this November.
• It's a virtual event taking place November 2-4.
• Not much else is known about the event as of yet.

Microsoft has revealed that its annual Ignite tech conference will be returning this fall, beginning on November 2nd through the 4th, where you can expect the "latest product demos, Q&A with Microsoft experts, technical deep-dives, and more." (via Mary-Jo Foley)

Once again, Microsoft Ignite will be a virtual-only event, meaning Microsoft likely won't be holding any in-person conferences until 2022 at the earliest. Ignite is usually where Microsoft announces new features and products that IT pros are most interested in, including Azure, Teams, and more.

Not much else is known about the Ignite event happening this November, but we'll be sure to update you when the sessions list and schedule go live. Registration isn't open yet, but the Microsoft Ignite website already has a button that adds the event to your calendar.

Microsoft's last Ignite event took place earlier this year and was dubbed Ignite 2021, which was already a continuation of the main Ignite event that took place in the fall of 2020. Microsoft may decide to split Ignite up once again, saving some announcements for next spring as well. We'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Ignite? Are you looking forward to any potential announcements? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Universal Print is now available.
• The service allows customers to print from Windows devices to AAD printers.
• You can also print from your OneDrive for Business accounts.

Universal Print, a new service from Microsoft that allows education and enterprise customers to eliminate the need for print servers or installing printer drivers onto PCs by providing a simple and secure printing solution in zero-trust environments via Microsoft 365, is now generally available starting today.

Customers can use Universal Print to print documents from Windows devices to Azure Active Directory (AAD) registered printers, as well as print from their own OneDrive for Business accounts using any browser of their choice.

Microsoft has a number of printer manufacturers including Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta, Lexmark, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Xerox. Universal Print was announced in March last year, and has been in preview ever since. Its general availability starting today opens up the service to many more customers and businesses looking for a solution like this.

What are your thoughts on Universal Print? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• Microsoft Teams 20,000-attendee limit will end at the end of the year.
• Broadcasts will return to a 10,000 person limit in 2022.

Microsoft has today announced that Microsoft Teams will allow up to 20,000 attendees into a single view-only broadcast until the end of 2021, where it will return to the 10,000-attendee limit. 20,000-attendee broadcasts were introduced during pandemic and have been great for large organizations looking to keep their employees up to date as they work from home.

In addition to supporting 20,000 attendees in a broadcast, Microsoft is reminding us that Teams now supports interactive customer webinars for up to 1,000 attendees. These webinars include support for custom registration, rich presentation options, host controls, and post-event reporting.

In addition to the new webinar and broadcast features, Microsoft is also enabling Teams to deliver webinars as port of Dynamics 365 Marketing campaigns, which is now generally available. Later in the year, this will expand to supporting the ability to export webinar contacts directly from Teams into Dynamics 365 Marketing to enable engagement with audience before and after events.

What are your thoughts on the 20,000-attendee limit ending at the end of 2021? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• Teams gets new controls for enhancing security in meetings.
• New features include end-to-end encription, invite-only meetings, and more.
• Many features will begin rolling out before the summer.

At Microsoft's virtual Ignite conference, the company has announced new privacy, security, and compliance features for Microsoft Teams that will begin rolling out this month. New features include Invite-only meeting controls, the ability to disable video, End-to-end encryption for 1:1 Teams calls, and Teams multigeo support.

Invite-only meeting controls will be generally available later this month, and enable Teams users to ensure that only intended participants are allowed to join a meeting. The ability to disable video is coming in the first half of this year, and does exactly what it says on the tin. It allows meeting hosts to disable th video of specific attendees if necessary.

End-to-end encryption for Teams calls is a big deal and will be available for commercial customers in the first half of this year in preview. This will help enterprises reach their security and compliance requirements by providing additional options for conductinve sensitive online conversations.

End-to-end encryption can be enabled in unscheduled 1:1 meetings, and admins will be able to specify which users in the org can utilize this encryption. Microsoft intends to expand this capability to scheduled calls and online meetings in the future.

Finally, multigeo support will be generally available in the first half of this year and enables multinational organizations greater control over the location of specific data centers where their Teams data is stored, right down to the team and user level.

What are your thoughts on these new Microsoft Teams compliance and security features? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• Teams is getting new presenter features today.
• New features include PowerPoint Live, Presenter Mode, and Dynamic View.
• All features enhance presenting in mettings and webinars using Teams.

Microsoft is announcing a handful of new features in Teams today that have been built to enhance using the platform for presentations. At Ignite, the company showcased three features including PowerPoint Live in Teams, a new Presenter Mode, and Dynamic View which are all becoming generally available this month.

PowerPoint Live in Teams was announced previously, and is now generally available today. PowerPoint Live in Teams enables presenters to deliver richer, more inclusive experiences and lead meetings more confidently with notes, slides, meting chat, and participants all in a single view within Microsoft Teams.

Presenter Mode is coming later this month and enables presenters to customize how their video feed and content appear to an audience tuned in using Microsoft Teams. New options coming soon include Standout, which shows the speaker's video feed in front of the shared content, and Reporter which shows the presenter's video feed alongside their content as they present.

Finally, Dynamic View is becoming generally available later this month and enables Teams to intelligently arrange meeting elements for an optimal presentation. Presenters can now place the gallery on top so participants appear at the top of the meeting window, which provides a more natural meeting flow as your eyes are closer to your webcam.

These new features will help presenters delivery content in a more professional manner while also offering meeting participants dynamic experiences to keep them more engaged. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• Microsoft is announcing new Intelligent Speaker devices at Ignite.
• These speakers use Microsoft Teams and AI to detect who is talking.
• It can also transcribe meetings for particpants to look back at if necessary.

Microsoft is expanding its Teams portfolio by introducing new "Intelligent Speaker" peripherals that are designed to work in meeting rooms and determine who in the room is talking when connected to a Teams meeting.

These new speakers can monitor up to 10 different people in one meeting room, and correctly identify and transcribe their conversations so that meeting participants not in the room can follow along. The speakers include a 7-array microphone that uses AI to identify and differentiate between the different voices, while matching specific voices to people's profiles in Teams.

Users can customize the level of privacy and security too, turning off the ability to transcribe or match transcriptions to specific people if necessary. These new Intelligent Speakers and associated functionality will be going into preview later this year.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts on these new Intelligent Speakers for Microsoft Teams? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• Outlook Web and Mobile are getting new features today.
• Outlook Web is getting a new free-form board view in Calendar.
• Outlook Mobile is getting a new AI-driven suggested times feature.

Announced at Microsoft's virtual Ignite conference, the company is today introducing new Outlook features for Outlook Web and the Outlook Mobile apps that will help customers better manage their time with new suggested times and free-form board views in Outlook Calendar.

The new free-form board transforms the Calendar experience available in Outlook Web with customizable vision tools for organizing and managing calendars, files, reminders, and to-do lists. The new suggested times feature is available for business customers using Outlook Mobile on iOS and Android.

Suggested times will use AI to suggest times where all participants in an email thread are available for meetings, which is often hard to see on a small screen. The AI will understand the meeting owner's requirements, preferences, and priorities to suggest times to meet when attendees are free, even if the meeting owner isn't.

These new features are rolling out now. What are you most looking forward to using? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the other announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite!

What you need to know

• The Microsoft Ignite keynote will be held on March 2, 2021.
• Microsoft promises "mind-blowing demos" and opportunities to fly a drone at the event.
• Registrations for Ignite are open now.

Microsoft Ignite is only a few weeks away. The keynote for the event kicks off on March 2, 2021. Microsoft corporate vice president of AI and Innovation Marketing, Mitra Azizirad, will deliver the keynote titled "Envisioning Tomorrow."

Microsoft doesn't want to share any spoilers about Ignite, but it does say that "There are mind-blowing demos, opportunities to fly a drone and a chance to win a special edition Microsoft AI flight jacket!". The company also gave five reasons that people should virtually attend:

Microsoft Ignite runs from March 2-4, 2021. You can register for Microsoft Ignite now.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Dan and Zac cover some of the most interesting announcements from Ignite. The 85-inch Surface Hub 2S is coming in January 2021. Edge is on the way for Linux users, and Microsoft Teams continues to grow as a platform for remote workers.

Alleged source code for Windows XP has leaked — hopefully you've upgraded by now! They also review the Windows 10 October 2020 Update along with a look at what's to come in 2021.

In the gaming realm, the guys talk about Xbox preorders and Microsoft's purchase of Zenimax for $7.5 billion dollars. And check out their Surface Duo tips!

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on September 25th 2020.

Links:

• Second half of Microsoft Ignite will be in March 2021 | Windows Central
• Windows 10 October 2020 Update review: Subtle, but necessary | Windows Central
• Surface Duo tip: Enable app notification icons in Peek Mode | Windows Central
• Microsoft's massive 85-inch Surface Hub 2S is coming in January 2021 for $21,999 | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge for Linux preview is coming in October | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams bringing more meeting tweaks with custom layouts, breakout rooms | Windows Central
• Alleged Windows XP source code leaked, spread on 4chan | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X, PS5 fiascos show the problem with preorders in the digital age | Windows Central
• Microsoft has acquired ZeniMax Media (DOOM, Elder Scrolls, Fallout) for Xbox | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden
• Micharl Fisher

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

What you need to know

• Microsoft Teams will gain features centered on people's wellbeing.
• The features will provide personalized insights and suggested actions.
• The majority of these new features will roll out in October, though some will be available this month.

Microsoft Teams will gain wellbeing and productivity insights and features that will help deliver a personalized experience within the virtual workspace. The new features will suggest actions that people should take to improve their wellbeing and provide insights such as suggested tasks for the day. The majority of these new features will roll out in October, though some are available starting in September. Microsoft announced the new features as part of Ignite 2020.

The insights and features are powered by MyAnalytics and Workplace Analytics. Once they roll out, they will let you schedule a virtual commute in the morning and help you disconnect in the evening. Apps such as Headspace will help you check in on your own mental wellbeing as well as the mental health of your colleagues with emotional check-ins.

People can also receive suggested tasks for the day and other productivity insights in their Outlook inbox through a daily briefing email from Cortana. This feature will roll out sometime this month.

While there are plenty of essential bits of technology that help you work from home, you won't be able to utilize those tools if you're burnt out or struggling. As more people work from home, keeping a work-life balance becomes more difficult. Some people also struggle to stay connected through a virtual work environment or get burnt out. These new features should help people stay engaged and provide avenues for people to see if someone is struggling.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Search will receive several improvements and new features by the end of the year.
• Microsoft Teams will gain a new search experience that works within the context of chats or channels.
• Microsoft Graph connectors will enable Microsoft Search to search through external services such as Adobe, Box, and IBM.

Microsoft Search will receive several improvements and features later this year, including a new search experience for Microsoft Teams and an AI-enriched image search feature. Microsoft Search will also gain new options for admins to receive feedback. Azure Cognitive Search will also integrate with Microsoft Search, allowing people to see search results from Azure Cognitive Search indices.

The new search experience within Microsoft Teams will allow users to find people, files, meetings, and messages within the context of a chat or channel. This should make it much easier to find content with Teams, especially if you work several colleagues on the same project.

Finding images will also be easier, thanks to an AI-enriched image search. This feature will allow people to find photos, logos, and images from throughout an organization.

The Windows desktop search box also sees improvements later this year. It will soon show personalized search results, bringing it more in line with Office.com, SharePoint, Bing, and Edge.

One of the biggest boosts to searching will come in the form of Microsoft Graph connectors. These connectors allow organizations to index third-party data, which will then appear within Microsoft Search results.

Microsoft has several of its own connectors, such as Azure SQL and Enterprise websites. There are also connectors from Adobe, Amazon, Box, IBM, and many other companies. There will be over 100 unique connectors from Microsoft's partners when Microsoft Graph connectors become generally available, which should occur in the near future.

Employees will be able to submit feedback to admins to improve the search experience. The feedback feature enables people to share feedback to admins on the quality of search results and to suggest answers to queries.

Microsoft Search will also integrate with Azure Cognitive Search, which allows people to "create a 'boundary-less' cohesive and coherent search experience," according to Microsoft. The integration will allow Microsoft Search to include results from existing Azure Cognitive Search indices.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced new names for several Microsoft Defender services.
• Several services also gained new integrations and capabilities.
• Microsoft Defender now includes Microsoft 365 Defender and Azure Defender.

Microsoft announced several new names for Microsoft Defender Services at Microsoft Ignite this year. Microsoft Defender, which now includes Microsoft 365 Defender and Azure Defender, identifies threats and protects devices across a wide range of platforms, including email, infrastructure, and cloud platforms.

Going forward, Microsoft Threat Protection will be known as Microsoft 365 Defender, which is an XDR for end-user environments.

Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection is now Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which brings protection from threats to mobile devices, including devices running iOS and Android.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the new name for Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection. This protection is now in public preview. With it, security professionals can prioritize protection for the most visible and targeted people within an organization.

Azure Security Center's cloud workload protection features are now referred to as Azure Defender. These are an XDR for Azure and hybrid resources, such as virtual machines, databases, and containers for IoT.

Azure Defender now supports Azure Arc, which helps it to protect SQL services which are on-premises. It also protects multi-cloud environments and virtual machines in other clouds.

Azure Security Center for IoT also has a new name, Azure Defender for IoT. Microsoft recently acquired CyberX, which increased the offering Microsoft can provide through Azure Defender for IoT. The service now has agentless security for IoT devices.

Microsoft Defender now integrates with SIEM Azure Sentinal, which can provide visibility and actionable insights across an entire enterprise. Azure Sentinal brings together data from Microsoft Defender, third-party systems, and Microsoft systems to provide end-to-end protection. This setup works with connectors, which allows it to get more data.

Office gains new features as well, including integration with Application Guard. These features are now in public preview and let Microsoft 365 E5 customers edit, print, and save changes to Office documents from outside of their own organization while maintaining protection.

What you need to know

• Registrations for Microsoft Ignite are now open.
• The 48-hour event is free to virtually attend, but you need to register.
• The event will have a Learning Zone, discussions, Q&A's, and more.

Registrations for Microsoft Ignite 2020 are now open. The event is all-digital this year and spans across 48 hours. It's free to virtually attend the event, but you need to register to gain access. You can register using Microsoft' Ignite's webpage.

Microsoft Ignite 2020 runs from September 22 through September 24. During the event, there will be discussions, a Learning Zone, several speakers, and announcements from Microsoft. There will also be live Q&A sessions to answer questions regarding what Microsoft has planned.

Microsoft Ignite often sees announcements across a wide range of Microsoft technologies. Last year we saw Microsoft announce new Office Mobile apps for iOS and Android, Microsoft Whiteboard arrive on the web and Teams, and Cortana's AI smarts coming to Outlook. Ignite is also a place for interesting or out of the ordinary announcements, such as Microsoft preserving a movie on a piece of glass.

The event kicks off on September 22, 2020 at 4 PM BST (11 AM ET). Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shares his keynote just a half-hour later at 4:30 PM BST (11:30 ET).

What you need to know

• This year's Microsoft Ignite will be split into two events.
• One will take place on September 22-24, while the other is planned for early 2021.
• Both will be free, digital-only 48-hour events.

Microsoft Ignite is going to look a little bit different this year. Like Microsoft's other recent events, Ignite is going all-digital in response to the current global health crisis. What's more, Ignite is being split into two separate events.

The first event will take place over 48 hours on September 22-24. The second event, Microsoft says, will take place in "early 2021." Both will be free, and registration for the first event will open on September 3.

Additionally, Microsoft says that it won't hold Ignite Tour events around the world this year. From Microsoft:

Lastly, the early-2021 Ignite event will not replace Microsoft Build. "We'll continue to host Microsoft Build as the forum for our developer communities to come together," Microsoft says. Microsoft has already signaled its intention to make all events digital-only through July 2021, so it's likely we'll see a digital Build conference next year as well.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is moving to make most of its events digital-only for the next year.
• Ignite 2020 and Build 2021 would be affected.
• The move would come as more companies are shifting to digital-only events during the current global health crisis.

Microsoft is reportedly set to take most of its events digital through the next year. ZDNet reports that the Microsoft's current plan is to shift to digital events through its 2021 fiscal year, which starts in July 2020. This would impact Ignite 2020 later this year, through the Build 2021 conference which is likely to take place in May.

Updated April 6, 2020: Microsoft has confirmed it is making internal and external events "digital-first" through July 2021 in an email about next year's MVP Summit. The email text, provided by Ginny Caughey on Twitter, reads:

The original story, published April 1, 2020, follows.

A Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNet that the company's events through the end of 2020 are planned to go online. "In light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy," the spokesperson said. "For the remainder of 2020 we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers and developers the highest quality, digital-first experiences."

"We will continue to evaluate the event landscape, but that is what we have to share at this time," the spokesperson said when asked whether the same strategy will apply to the first half of 2021.

The report notes that Microsoft has begun alerting teams internally of its plans to cancel in-person events through its 2021 fiscal year. "The thinking in cancelling so early is the more lead time the company has, the better its virtual events will be," ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says. However, Microsoft may still participate in-person at some third-party events, the report notes.

The move comes as more companies have shifted their events to online-only affairs amid the current global health crisis. This includes Microsoft, which already canceled its MVP Summit in March. Microsoft also canceled Build 2020 as an in-person event and will hold a digital event in its place. Microsoft also plans to take its E3 2020 Xbox conference digital later this year.

What you need to know

• Several Microsoft event websites now have a statement about the coronavirus.
• Microsoft is "monitoring public health guidance" and will prioritize people's health.
• Some events could potentially be canceled, but that decision seems like it will happen in the future.

Several Microsoft websites show a statement at the top of the page regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). Neowin discovered that the event pages for Build. Ignite, and Inspire show the statement. There's a good chance that other Microsoft event websites show the same statement. Microsoft states that it is "monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events." Microsoft also states that it will prioritize the health of people in regards to the events.

Here's the complete statement that appears on the pages:

Microsoft recently switched its MVP Summit to a virtual event due to health concerns. Microsoft also canceled an Ignite tour stop in Hong Kong for the same reason. Several large conferences have been delayed or canceled as well, including Mobile World Congress.

While Microsoft could potentially cancel some future events due to the coronavirus, that decision appears like it will be made closer to the time of any specific event.

What you need to know

• Microsoft canceled the Hong Kong Stop of Microsoft Ignite The Tour due to health concerns caused by the coronavirus.
• Microsoft states that the health and safety of its employees is its top priority.
• People can view on-demand content from the recent Ignite conference instead.

Microsoft announced today that its Hong Kong stop of Microsoft Ignite The Tour is canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). In a recent tweet, the Microsoft Ignite Twitter account states, "The health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and suppliers are a top priority." Microsoft points people towards its on-demand Ignite resources to view the recent conference's sessions.

As the coronavirus continues to be a serious health risk, more companies are canceling events and conferences that could cause health risks to people, including employees. Mobile World Congress was recently canceled, and it's likely that other conferences and events will be canceled as the outbreak continues.

Top 5 announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2019

Microsoft Ignite is aimed towards developers, but there are often bits of news that interest general consumers. At Ignite 2019, Microsoft announced a release date for the new Microsoft Edge, showed off the new Office Mobile app for iOS and Android, and discussed how it stored a film onto a piece of glass.

You can catch up on Microsoft's on-demand Ignite content and read its announcement about the Hong Kong stop's cancellation here.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced the dates and a new location for Ignite 2020.
• The conference will run from September 21 through September 25, 2020.
• The conference is in New Orleans for the first time.

Microsoft announced the dates and location of Microsoft Ignite 2020. The conference will run from September 21 through September 25 2020. Microsoft Ignite 2019 was held in November, so the September set of dates is a bump up on the calendar. In addition to switching up the dates, Microsoft announced a new location for the event, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ignite is generally a conference for developers, IT professionals, and businesses, but Microsoft usually announces a few things that consumers care about each year. At Ignite 2019, Microsoft announced a release date for the new Edge, new Office mobile apps for iOS and Android, and Whiteboard coming to the web version of Microsoft Teams. Microsoft also showed off storing a movie inside a piece of glass at the conference.

Ignite 2020 will be in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Pre-registratiion for the event is already open. Microsoft points out that the event sells out every year, so it's worth pre-registering now.

Microsoft Ignite 2019 is over, and there were hundreds of announcements ranging from Microsoft 365 to Power Apps. Many announcements and deep-dives happened in breakout sessions, and you've likely not had a chance to see them all. So, we've collected what we think are the best and most interesting sessions that are worth watching now that Ignite is done for another year.

The future of Microsoft OneNote: Notes unleashed

If you're a fan of OneNote, this is the session for you. Microsoft details its plans and roadmap for OneNote, including the decision to bring back the Win32 client from the dead, and how it will continue to develop both the Win32 and UWP apps going forward. Also learn about new features coming soon to the Win32 app to bring it up to scratch with the UWP app.

• Speakers: Benjamin Hodes, Tricia Van Hollebeke
• Description: Come gaze into the crystal ball and discover the future of OneNote! Over the past year, the OneNote team has made huge strides with improved navigation creating a unified and familiar experience across devices. With improvements like an even faster, more robust and reliable sync engine and fan favorite features like Dark Mode, OneNote is the go-to for all modern organization and note taking. But, what's coming next is still going to blow you away. Be the first to know what the OneNote team has in store for this year and beyond!

Watch this session

State of the browser: Microsoft Edge

This session breaks down all the announcements around Microsoft Edge made at Ignite 2019, including plans for rollout in January and how the new Microsoft Edge will be ready for businesses to deploy. If you've been following development of the new Microsoft Edge, this is a session you should watch to bring you up to speed with everything going on in this area.

• Speakers: Sean Lyndersay, Colleen Williams
• Description: Microsoft Edge is on a mission to create the best browser for enterprises: rock-solid fundamentals, intelligent security, the most productive and secure end-user experience, flexible manageability; and deep integration with M365. The next version of Microsoft Edge is ready for business. We'll share the history and roadmap for the next version of Microsoft Edge.

Watch this session

Windows App Development Roadmap: Making Sense of WinUI, UWP, Win32, .NET

Wondering about which app platform you should use to build your next Windows 10 app? Microsoft has a session breaking down Win32, UWP, .NET, and WinUI to give you a better idea of where Microsoft is headed with app platforms and how many modern application components are being decoupled from the OS so that legacy applications can take advantage of UWP advances without a total rewrite.

• Speakers: Paul Gusmorino, James Clarke
• Description: Join James Clarke and Paul Gusmorino to learn how you can make the most of client development on Windows now and in the future. Learn how the Windows platform is evolving with new capabilities and greater interoperability. Gain critical insights that will shape your desktop app development strategy, so you can build experiences that will continue to shine on the latest devices. We'll explore what's coming in the Windows presentation platform, WinUI 3.0, and open source. Join us whether you're just starting off on a new project, or modernizing a sophisticated desktop workload; whether you're a .NET or JavaScript or C++ developer.

Watch this session

Give a modern look and feel to your Windows desktop applications with UWP and XAML Islands

This session dives deeper into how developers can update their existing, legacy Win32 applications with a modern look and feel using WinUI and UWP. If you're a developer who can't or doesn't want to rewrite your entire app as a UWP, perhaps you should consider updating the UI layer with modern technologies so that these applications look and feel at home with new user experiences introduced with Windows 10 and soon, Windows 10X.

• Speakers: Luis Henrique Demetrio
• Description: Windows 10 has introduced new ways to build great user experiences: fluid animations, effects, support for new input paradigms like pen and inking, and great accessibility support are just a few examples. In this session, see an overview of these features and how you can enable them in your Windows applications, no matter if they're built using the Universal Windows Platform or if they're classic desktop applications. Thanks to XAML Islands and WinUI, in fact, you'll be able to bring new and shiny XAML controls in your existing Win32 applications, without having to rewrite them from scratch.

Watch this session

Get ahead with Outlook mobile: Intelligent technology that helps you stay on top of your day

Learn about what's new in Outlook for iOS and Android, including new Cortana integrations, daily briefings, and how AI is helping you stay more productive when checking email on the go.

• Speakers: Tali Roth, Micharl Palermiti
• Description: From integration with Microsoft Teams to AI driven ways to engage with your inbox, come learn about the brand-new capabilities only available with Outlook for iOS and Android and get a sneak peek into what's next.

Watch this session

There is a new Outlook on the web: See what's new, fresh, and exciting

Check out what's new and coming soon with the Outlook website, including new features, performance improvements, and how Microsoft is positioning the Outlook web client as a premiere emaile experience that rivals Gmail online, with Cortana integrations that help you stay productive throughout the day.

• Speakers: David Meyers
• Description: We've been very busy the last year,and we want you to learn all about the new Outlook on the web. Come and learn how the intelligence we've built into Outlook on the web can help manage your mailbox better than ever before. We also share details about new and upcoming security updates and features that can help you keep your users and their data safe and secure.

Watch this session

Windows 10: The developer platform, and modern application development

Learn more about the Windows 10 developer story, and how you can use different languages and app platforms to create your ideal app experiences for customers. This session taps into everything from Win32, XAML, PWA, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

• Speakers: Pete Brown
• Description: How do you build modern applications on Windows 10? What are some of the Windows 10 features that can make applications even better for users, and how can developers take advantage of these features from existing desktop applications? In this demo-focused and info-packed session, we cover the modern technologies for building applications on or for Windows, the different app models, how to take advantage of platform tools and features, and more. We use Win32/.NET apps, XAML, Progressive Web Apps (PWA) using JavaScript, Edge, packaging with MSIX, the modern command line, the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and more.

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Microsoft Surface engineering deep dive: Behind the scenes of hardware innovation

Check out the internal process Microsoft goes through when building new Surface hardware, listening to feedback from customers, and innovating devices to make users more productive.

• Speakers: Brandon Records, Hral Modi
• Description: Explore how Surface brings new technologies and capabilities to light while maintaining a consistent delivery of premium, quality products. Learn how the Surface engineering process can help your organization deliver better experiences and empower your users. Dive into the details of how devices are designed and built from the ground up for stability, security, and performance.

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Enabling everyone to digitize apps and processes with Power Apps and the Power Platform

Power Apps was all the craze at Microsoft Ignite 2019. This is the platform that allows anyone, from beginner to expert developers, to code automated processes for all kinds of scenarios, sometimes without having to write actual code. Learn about how that all works in this session.

• Speakers: Clay Wesener
• Developers: Learn how Microsoft Power Apps and the Power Platform enable everyone in your organization to modernize and digitize apps and processes. Discover how your organization, IT pros, and every developer within it can benefit from our low-code platform for rapid application development and process automation. This includes a fast-paced overview of pro-developer extensibility and DevOps, IT pro governance and security, as well as powerful capabilities to build intelligent web and mobile apps and portals.

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Exploring the future of Windows with the Insider Program

Find out more about the Windows Insider Program and meet the team behind releasing new preview builds of Windows 10 for Insiders to test. Discover the process involved with selecting a build, determining whether or not it's good enough to release for testing, and how Microsoft ensures that updates aren't going to ruin your setup.

• Speakers: Dona Sarkar
• Description: "Where is the roadmap for new Windows and Office features?!?" -askes every IT professional and Enterprise Dev ever. Well, wish no more! In this session, you'll hear from senior engineers working on Windows what is coming next and how you can use the Windows Insider Programs so your organization is prepared for it. We'll show you how to get a head start on that next update and be ready to take advantage of all the new features at Ignite the day they're available.

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Microsoft 365 experiences + devices

Finally, this session is a quick deep dive into what Microsoft 365 is all about. It's Windows 10, Office, and device experiences coming together to make users more productive.

• Speakers: Mary Sheppard
• Description: Microsoft 365 is the world's productivity cloud. Together with Microsoft Surface, it's unlocking new forms of productivity to help you transform your business. From the latest Microsoft Teams features to an AI-powered presentation coach and devices that enable a new world of creativity, this session offers an in-depth look at the intelligent product innovations that are changing the way we work.

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What you need to know

• Microsoft Excel now supports natural language queries for Office Insiders.
• The feature allows people to ask questions naturally.
• Microsoft announced the feature at Ignite 2019.

Microsoft emphasized artificial intelligence support for several apps and services at Ignite 2019. One app that will benefit from this AI push is Microsoft Excel, which now supports natural language queries for Office Insiders.

Support for natural language queries means that people can ask Microsoft Excel questions without having to memorize specific formulas. Microsoft has not shared any specific examples of questions that can be asked but explains the general structure of the feature.

In addition to supporting natural language queries, Microsoft announced AI-related features for other parts of Microsoft Office as well as Cortana. MyAnalytics is now able to suggest actions in Outlook, such as booking a meeting, adding an item to an agenda, and following up on meetings.

What you need to know

• Microsoft today revealed its roadmap of events for the year ahead.
• The biggest takeaway is Build 2020, which is set for May 19-21 in Seattle.
• Ignite, Inspire, and the Microsoft Business Applications Summit have all received dates as well.

Microsoft has unveiled a look at its event schedule for the year ahead. In a new blog post, the company posted a roadmap covering its upcoming events through 2020, including Inspire, Build, and more.

Here's a look at how the calendar shakes out:

• Microsoft Ignite: November 4-8, 2019 in Orlando, Florida
• Microsoft Build 2020: May 19-21, 2020 in Seattle, Washington
• Microsoft Business Applications Summit: April 20-21, 2020 in Anaheim, California
• Microsoft Inspire: July 20-24, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the biggest reveals for Microsoft watchers is Build 2020. The annual conference is where Microsoft typically announces major improvements and new features it has planned for everything from Windows to Azure for developers. Microsoft Inspire will also be one to watch, as Microsoft meets with its global partners and announces expansions to its partner ecosystem.

In addition to the flagship events above, Microsoft is planninga couple of tours as well. A Microsoft Ignite Tour is planned to travel to 30 cities across the globe, with free learning experiences for developers and IT professionals. The Microsoft Envision Tour, meanwhile, is a single-day event held across multiple cities for leaders to "learn about smart strategies to tackle emerging issues, power new efficiencies and build new business models and revenue streams."

For more on Microsoft's planned events, you can check out the company's global events catalog.

What you need to know

• Microsoft released the session catalog for Microsoft Ignite 2019.
• Sessions include reaching users through PWAs and revitalizing live presentations with AI.
• Microsoft Ignite 2019 runs from November 3, 2019 through November 9, 2019.

Microsoft released the session catalog for Microsoft Ignite 2019. The week-long conference gives Microsoft a chance to communicate with developers on a vast range of topics. It's generally not a consumer-facing event, but it helps shape many technologies that consumers end up using.

There's an incredibly long list of sessions that people can plan to attend or watch, which is why Microsoft releases the catalog months in advance. A couple sessions include "AI innovation: Revitalizing the live presentation experience" and "Building PWAs to reach users on Windows and beyond".

Previous Microsoft Ignite conferences have covered topics including developing for the Surface Hub 2 and Quantum Computing.

Microsoft Ignite is just around the corner, and you can expect to see lots of new announcements regarding Microsoft 365, Azure, IoT, and more for IT and enterprises at the event in Orlando, Fla. In addition to all the announcements, there will be hundreds of hands-on sessions that dive into new features, services, and more.

I've been looking through the sessions list in search of the most interesting sessions, and it looks like there are plenty of them that dive into subjects ranging from Surface to Windows 10 to Mixed Reality.

Here's a short list of all the sessions we think will be worth watching. If you'll be at the event, you may want to attend. If not, there may be recorded versions available in the future, but we're not sure. However, you can bet we'll be at these sessions to bring you any news that comes from them. So, keep it locked to Windows Central.

Surface Family Engineering: An Insider View

The first session that caught my eye is all about Surface and engineering products. Tim Golik will lead this session and talk all about how Microsoft builds Surface hardware alongside Windows, Office and more to provide a consistent experience no matter what you're doing.

Session details

• Date: September 27.
• Time: 11:30 AM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: Come to this session and learn about Surface Go, Pro, Laptop, Book and Studio hardware. Our product maker, Tim Golik, will provide you with a deep dive tour of Surface devices and their differentiated design. The session will also provide an in-depth review of how we build Surface hardware alongside our Windows, Office, and Azure engineering teams to provide the best and first implementation of the latest Microsoft technologies.

See session

Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus lifecycle and servicing update

This session looks like it's going to talk a lot about the decisions behind servicing Windows 10 and Office 365 together, which means the topic of "two updates a year" for Windows 10 is likely going to be talked about quite a bit. The session will also outline why this update cadence is great for businesses and IT administrators managing PCs with Windows.

Session details

• Date: September 24.
• Time: 4:00 PM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: Together is better! Digital transformation is sweeping the globe, bringing with it an onslaught of cyber-criminal activities and making software-as-a-service the new normal for IT. Learn why Microsoft is embracing a servicing model across its portfolio and aligning product releases to help you get current and stay current across our platforms and deliver simplicity, security, productivity, and innovation within your organization. Get tips on how to move from a project-based to process-based approach and introduce service management maturity and change management processes to remain agile and accelerate the ability to stay current with the latest releases, all while ensuring the highest levels of security.

See session

Does new hardware matter?

In this session, Intel's Director of Strategic Planning and Architecture, Michael Nordquist, is going to deep dive into the subject of new hardware, and talk about why new hardware enhances security and productivity for businesses.

Session details

• Date: September 24.
• Time: 4:35 PM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: Is old technology getting in the way of digital transformation? New hardware is a vital element in bringing to life what is possible on Windows 10 from security to productivity. New camera technology makes facial recognition possible to log on to your PC securely and quickly with Windows Hello. In an hyper-connected world, new hardware running modern standby enables the most responsive, always-connected Windows 10 PC experience without sacrificing battery life. Learn more on how new Intel hardware maximizes Windows 10 experiences.

See session

Surface in the modern workplace + newest members

If you're interested in deploying Surface hardware in your business, this session is for you. Microsoft is going to dive into new Surface devices such as the Surface Hub 2 and Surface Go, and showcase how using Surface in the modern workplace helps businesses be more productive.

Session details

• Date: September 25.
• Time: 9:00 AM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: At its core, we know that the modern workplace truly comes to life for our customers when they can deploy the full Microsoft 365 stack on a premium computing experience with Microsoft Surface. In this session, learn more about the Surface portfolio and how deploying our devices enables the highest productivity and collaboration. Learn about Surface differentiators and why it's designed for the modern workplace. ​Meet the newest members of the Surface family - the Surface Hub 2 and Surface Go. Hear the latest about the devices and how to implement Surface in your workplace.

See session

Windows 10 in S mode: Why you should care and how it works

In case you were wondering, no, Windows 10 S is not dead. In fact, Microsoft has a session all about it at Ignite, where it's going to talk more about what Windows 10 S is, and why you should care about its existence. This session will likely focus more on why S mode is beneficial for businesses, but many of its talking points can be applied to everyone running Windows 10 S too.

Session description

• Date: September 25.
• Time: 12:30 PM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: Windows 10 in S mode powers affordable, cloud-ready devices that are simple, secure, and efficient. In this session we dive deep into recommended practices and discuss real-world lessons learned from the deployment and management of this new device experience. Discover how S mode leverages built-in, cloud powered, intelligent security from Windows 10 and how it uses the advanced capabilities of running verified apps from the Microsoft Store platform to deliver security and performance benefits.

See session

A better user experience in Progressive Web Apps (PWA) with Windows 10 APIs

Microsoft is all in on PWAs, so it's not surprising to see a session dedicated to PWAs on Windows 10 happening at Ignite. In this session, Microsoft is going to go all over all the basics of what a PWA is, and how a PWA integrated with Windows 10 offers a better experience to the end user.

Session details

• Date: September 28.
• Time: 9 AM EDT.
• Description from Microsoft: Learn the basics of what a Progressive Web App (PWA) is and how to create an application that adds value when running on Windows 10. After a short introduction to PWA, the session demonstrates and explains how to access Windows 10 APIs in a PWA and use capabilities like offline machine learning when on Windows 10 and Microsoft Cognitive Services when running on a different system. See examples and demos of how to enrich applications with the power of Windows 10. Experience PWA in action on Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge; it's more than "just web," PWA now can say a friendly Windows Hello to Cortana and other Windows 10 APIs.

See session

Those are our picks for sessions to watch out for at Ignite. As mentioned above, there are hundreds of sessions happening at Ignite this year, and you can check out the full session list here.

Registration for Microsoft's 2017 Ignite conference is now open, the company announced today. Set to kick off from September 25-29, this year's conference will take place in Orlando, Florida.

While the conference itself is a good way to pick up new technical training and network with members of the tech industry, it also features some special keynote speakers. This year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is set to speak on emerging trends and "innovatiosn that will shape the future of IT." Harry Shum of Microsoft's AI and Research Group will also address the conference on the company's increasing push into AI research and development.

If you're planning on going to this year's Ignite, you may want to act quickly. You can register now at the official Ignite website with your Microsoft or LinkedIn account.

Register for Microsoft Ignite

Microsoft has announced that its Ignite conference for IT professionals will be held in 2017 in Orlando, Flordia from September 24-29. Pre-registration has already started for the event.

Microsoft is wrapping up its 2016 edition of Ignite in Atlanta today, and the company had some pretty big announcements during the conference, including new security features for Windows 10 Enterprise, more updates to Office and even an experimental NFL fantasy football chatbot for Skype. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft will be showing off a year from now.

The early registration process for Microsoft Ignite 2017 willl give attendees the first crack at reserving hotel rooms for the event, which are scheduled to begin in March.

Pre-register for Microsoft Ignite 2017

The 2016 edition of the Microsoft Ignite conference will get underway in Atlanta on September 26, and attendees can get ready by downloading its official Windows Phone app.

This is the second year for the Microsoft Ignite conference, which focuses on enterprise and IT professionals, and it is already sold out. Attendees who have the proper info can go ahead and download the Ignite app from the Windows Store to check out the following features:

• My Schedule: Access and modify the list of sessions, speakers, and exhibitors that you have added as favorites in the app or on the conference website
• Schedule Builder: View and search the full conference session list. Select a session to favorite it, view details, submit session evaluations, and take notes.
• Exhibitors: Find sponsors & exhibitors you want to meet.
• On-site Guide: Find important event information and read about key event highlights to enhance your on-site experience.
• Maps: Find your way around the venue.
• Social & News: Read current news and follow and join the conversation through our social channels.

Even though Microsoft Ignite 2016 is sold out, the company is planning to live stream the conference's keynote event on Monday, September 26 beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern time.

Download Microsoft Ignite from the Windows Store

Microsoft has now re-invited Okta, a startup that creates software for managing employee passwords and mobile devices, to sponsor its upcoming Ignite conference after the company was recently uninvited. From Business Insider:

As Business Insider previously reported, Okta was "disinvited" from being a sponsor of Ignite, with Microsoft citing "broad competition between our companies in the mobility solution space" as the reason. Microsoft had informed Okta of the decision after the startup had already paid for the sponsorship slot.

Okta says that it hasn't yet committed to returning to the show since it was re-invited. Ignite is set to kick off on September 26 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Friday was the last day for the first annual Microsoft Ignite conference for enterprise and IT professionals. However, the company is already making plans for the second annual event, which will once again be held in Chicago. The dates for the conference will be May 9-13, 2016.

Microsoft Ignite was designed to be a merger of many of the company's previous conferences such as its TechEd, SharePoint, Project, Lync and Exchange events. About 23,000 people attended the first Ignite conference this week, but WindowsTPro reports there were more than a few issues at the event, ranging from transportation problems to and from the downtown convention center to some of the sessions not being as detailed as they were promised in their descriptions.

However, this was the first year for Ignite and it stands to reason there would be some glitches at this rather massive event. It's more than possible the company will work out the kinks and have a better conference when Microsoft Ignite happens a year from now.

Source: Microsoft Ignite, WindowsITPro

Microsoft's eventing schedule continues today with Ignite, it's enterprise focused conference being held for the next couple of days in Chicago. Proceedings kick off at 9 a.m local time with a keynote presentation from Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, and as is usually the case you can watch the whole thing unfold live online.

While of less interest to the consumer than last week's Build, it's always worth a listen when the CEO speaks publicly. On the road to Windows 10 we still have much to learn, and you never know what might turn up at events like this.

Hit the link below to follow the stream. 9 a.m. local time translates to 3 p.m. in London, 10 a.m. on the East Coast and 7 a.m. on the west. Check this link to see what that becomes where you are in the world.

• Watch the Microsoft Ignite keynote live!

Microsoft has now confirmed that the name of their new enterprise conference will be Microsoft Ignite, while also confirming the final dates for its BUILD 2015 developer conference will be April 29 to May 1.

Microsoft had previously announced plans to consolidate all of its previous TechEd, SharePoint, Project, Lync and Exchange events into one conference that would be held in Chicago on May 4-8. Today, that conference has a name and Microsoft is also accepting registrations for Ignite. In a blog post, Microsoft's corporate communications head Frank X Shaw stated:

Microsoft also announced the specific dates for the BUILD 2015 developer conference in San Francisco. Previously, Microsoft confirmed that the conference would be held sometime in April but did not offer an exact date at that time. Registration for that event is not yet open.

Source: Microsoft blog