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Week in brief

SPO OTP retirement and Connect hardening reshape Entra administration this week

Microsoft is retiring SharePoint One-Time Passcode authentication starting in mid-October 2026, moving external sharing to Microsoft Entra B2B and guest accounts. Updated Connect Sync guidance ties synchronization continuity to a minimum version and application-based authentication by April 7, 2027, while Entra sign-in will block external script injection from mid-October. Other notable developments include public-preview App Gallery onboarding and more explicit Conditional Access targeting guidance for agent users; most remaining updates were documentation maintenance.

  • SPO OTP authentication will begin retiring in mid-October 2026 across Microsoft 365 tenants. External users will require Microsoft Entra B2B guest accounts, bringing SharePoint and OneDrive sharing under consistent governance and Conditional Access.

  • Updated security guidance raises the required Microsoft Entra Connect Sync version from 2.5.79.0 to 2.6.84.0 or later and requires application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop if the requirements are unmet.

  • Starting in mid-October 2026, Microsoft Entra ID will enforce a Content Security Policy on login.microsoftonline.com that allows only trusted Microsoft scripts to run. Organizations using tools that inject scripts into the sign-in experience should assess compatibility; no action is indicated if they do not use such tools.

  • New guidance says all-user and group targeting do not include agent users. It documents prerequisites, policy targeting, risk controls, device and network conditions, and blocking risky agent-user accounts for agents accessing resources through their own user accounts.

  • ISVs can validate SSO and provisioning integrations, submit and manage applications, and track submission status in the Microsoft Entra admin center. Public preview is available now, with general availability scheduled to begin in mid-November 2026.

For Entra administrators

Prepare external-sharing workflows for Entra B2B guest accounts, verify Connect Sync versions and authentication configuration before the April 7, 2027 deadline, and assess any tools that inject scripts into login.microsoftonline.com. Review agent-user Conditional Access policies for explicit targeting. No action is required for the App Gallery preview unless the organization or its application partners plan to use it.

This period briefing was generated by AI from the tracked Microsoft Learn and Message Center changes.

Updates this week

19

Connect Health Operations

Feature update

The documentation now identifies Microsoft Entra Global Administrators, rather than Hybrid Identity Administrators, in the default Connect Health RBAC guidance and Owner role description.

2 October 2026

Connect Health Agent Install

Doc update

The documentation now states that, by default, a Global Administrator account has permission to register the agent, replacing Hybrid Identity Administrator.

2 October 2026

Bulk create users in the Azure portal

Doc update

The documentation now requires preserving downloaded column headings, allows the examples row to remain, and identifies only Name, User name, and Initial password as required fields. The sample CSV was simplified.

1 October 2026

Bulk delete users in Microsoft Entra ID

Feature updateAction required

The instructions now require the exact downloaded column header and allow each user row to contain either a user principal name or object ID. The examples row may remain, and User Administrator is listed as the minimum role.

1 October 2026

Bulk restore deleted users in the Azure portal

Doc update

The article now requires the downloaded `Object ID [objectId] Required` header to remain unchanged and says the examples row can be retained. It also documents the User Administrator prerequisite.

1 October 2026

Connect Version History

RetirementAction required

The documented deadline changed to April 7, 2027. Synchronization services require version 2.5.79.0 or later and application-based authentication after legacy authentication ends.

29 September 2026

Connect Version History

RetirementAction required

The required Microsoft Entra Connect Sync version is now 2.6.84.0 or later, with application-based authentication configured by April 7, 2027. Legacy authentication retirement will stop synchronization services after that date if requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Connect Install Prerequisites

RetirementAction required

The documentation now requires Microsoft Entra Connect Sync version 2.5.79.0 or later and application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop working after that date if these requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Connect Install Prerequisites

Feature updateAction required

The required minimum version changed from 2.5.79.0 to 2.6.84.0. Administrators must also configure application-based authentication by April 7, 2027.

29 September 2026

Connect Install Prerequisites

Doc updateAction required

The prerequisites page now bolds the warning to upgrade Entra Connect Sync to version 2.5.79.0 or later and configure application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop afterward if requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Connect Version History

RetirementAction required

The documentation now bolds the warning that Microsoft Entra Connect Sync must be upgraded to version 2.5.79.0 or later and configured for application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop afterward if requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Tutorial Manage Certificates For Federated Single Sign On

Doc updateAction required

The instructions now say to verify notification email addresses configured through Microsoft Graph or PowerShell in the Microsoft Entra admin center. Opening the SAML certificate experience can initialize notification registration for custom signing certificates.

29 September 2026

Scopes Oidc

Doc update

The documentation now uses clearer wording to describe fine-grained permissions, scopes, and how apps request them through the `scope` parameter.

29 September 2026

Licensing Service Plan Reference

Doc update

The Viva Glint entry now includes WORKPLACE_ANALYTICS_INSIGHTS_BACKEND and its associated identifier.

29 September 2026

Policy All Users Device Unknown Unsupported

Doc update

The documentation now highlights that device platform conditions rely on user agent strings and recommends pairing them with policies requiring device compliance or app protection to reduce risk.

28 September 2026
9

Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Changes to Unified RBAC permission mapping for Microsoft Entra Security Operator role

New

Microsoft is updating Microsoft Defender for Office 365's Unified RBAC mapping for the Microsoft Entra Security Operator role, removing default access to email threat policies and Tenant Allow/Block List. This change starts November 2026 and requires manual permission assignment for continued access when Unified RBAC is enabled.

2 October 2026
Message CenterMC1486293 on mc.merill.net ↗Major updatePlan for change

Security Updates Pks

Feature updateAction required

The required Microsoft Entra Connect Sync version changed from 2.5.79.0 to 2.6.84.0 or later. Application-based authentication must still be configured by April 7, 2027.

29 September 2026

Security Updates Pks

RetirementAction required

The deadline changed to April 7, 2027. Administrators must upgrade to version 2.5.79.0 or later and configure application-based authentication; synchronization stops after the deadline if requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Security Updates Pks

Doc updateAction required

The warning is bolded: upgrade Microsoft Entra Connect Sync to version 2.5.79.0 or later and configure application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop working after that date if these requirements are not met.

29 September 2026

Upgrade Previous Version

RetirementAction required

The documentation now bolds the mandatory upgrade warning: upgrade Entra Connect Sync to version 2.5.79.0 or later and configure application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Legacy authentication will be retired, and synchronization will stop after that date if requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Upgrade Previous Version

RetirementAction required

The documentation now requires version 2.5.79.0 or later and application-based authentication by April 7, 2027. Synchronization services will stop afterward if these requirements are unmet.

29 September 2026

Upgrade Previous Version

Feature updateAction required

The required Microsoft Entra Connect Sync version increased from 2.5.79.0 to 2.6.84.0. Administrators must also configure application-based authentication by April 7, 2027.

29 September 2026
7

Introduction to Microsoft Entra Kerberos

New feature

The page now describes how Windows Hello for Business cloud Kerberos trust uses Microsoft Entra Kerberos to provide passwordless access to Active Directory resources and links to a deployment guide.

29 September 2026

Kerberos

Doc updateAction required

The documentation now states that users accessing Active Directory-protected resources need corresponding Active Directory accounts. Cloud-managed users should be provisioned from Microsoft Entra ID, including required group memberships.

29 September 2026

Sspr Howitworks

Doc update

The SSPR documentation now refers to a “Microsoft Entra administrator role” instead of an “Azure administrator role” when describing enforcement of the strong two-gate password policy.

29 September 2026

Backup Authentication System

Doc update

The backup authentication system documentation no longer lists Workplace from Facebook in its integration table.

28 September 2026

Provision On Demand

Doc update

The provision-on-demand article no longer includes references to Meta Workplace. The displayed guidance about stopping provisioning for OAuth-based applications remains unchanged.

28 September 2026
5

Zero Trust Protect Tenants

Doc update

The documentation now says the lock is configured for all applications, rather than all multitenant applications.

2 October 2026

Adsync Service Account

Doc update

The table now explicitly labels Group Managed Service Account (gMSA) and Standalone Managed Service Account (sMSA), with corresponding installation guidance.

30 September 2026

Provision On Demand

Doc update

The sign-in step now lists Application Owners alongside Application Administrators as acceptable roles for accessing the Microsoft Entra admin center.

29 September 2026

Groups Concept

Doc update

The guidance now directs administrators to the Exchange admin center for role assignments through dynamic membership groups. If the old Exchange admin center is required, assign the eligible role directly to the user rather than through role-assignable groups; Exchange PowerShell cmdlets work as expected.

28 September 2026
5

Chatwork Provisioning Tutorial

Retirement

The documentation standardizes the product name to “Chatwork” and states that SCIM provisioning support will end on October 1, 2026. The Entra Enterprise App Gallery integration will then stop provisioning users.

30 September 2026
2

Secure agent users with Microsoft Entra Conditional Access

Doc update

The guidance explains prerequisites, policy targeting, risk controls, device and network conditions, and blocking risky agent user accounts. It notes that all-user and group targeting don't include agent users.

30 September 2026

Conditional Access Conditions

Doc update

The documentation now warns that device platform information, such as user agent strings, can be modified and isn't verified. It recommends using device platform with Microsoft Intune device compliance policies or in a block statement.

28 September 2026
2

Partner Driven Integrations

Doc update

The partner-driven integrations documentation now lists Dropbox and Snowflake as examples and no longer references Workplace by Facebook.

28 September 2026
1
1

Connect Health User Privacy

Doc update

The documentation changes the recommended acknowledgment role from Hybrid Identity Administrators to Global Administrators before stopping data collection for all registered services.

2 October 2026
3

Secure autonomous agents with Conditional Access

Doc update

The article now presents Conditional Access for autonomous agents as a scenario-based pattern, adds prerequisites, and recommends starting block policies in report-only mode. It also notes that an Agent 365 license will soon be required.

30 September 2026

Conditional Access for Agents in Microsoft Entra

Feature update

The documentation now distinguishes agents acting for signed-in users, using their own identity, or using an agent user account. It adds separate guidance links for autonomous agents and agent users and updates the listed licensing combinations.

30 September 2026

Target agents in Microsoft Entra Conditional Access policies

Doc update

The article now uses a scenario-based structure, explains that conditions and controls depend on the token subject, and links separately to guidance for agent identities and agent user accounts. Terminology, metadata, and related links were also updated.

30 September 2026
1

Agent Users

Feature update

The documentation now states that agent user accounts can be assigned custom roles, while privileged administrator roles remain restricted.

30 September 2026
1

Authorization Agent Id

Doc update

The documentation now describes blocked highly privileged directory roles for agent identities without the obsolete custom-role restriction wording.

1 October 2026
1

Authorization Agent Id

Doc update

The authorization documentation now states that custom roles can be assigned to agents.

30 September 2026
5

Manage sponsored guests in My Account

Feature update

The documentation now directs sponsors to manage guests in My Account at myaccount.microsoft.com, using the Sponsored guests item in the left navigation instead of My Access.

2 October 2026

Manage sponsored guests in My Access

Doc updateAction required

The new page documents the preview experience for reviewing guests, extending or ending sponsorship, and sponsoring eligible unsponsored guests. It also explains policy-driven lifecycle behavior.

1 October 2026

Apps

Doc update

The Entra ID Governance apps page no longer lists Workplace from Meta in its application table.

28 September 2026
1

Configure Security

Doc update

The documentation link was updated from guidance for all multitenant applications to guidance for all applications.

2 October 2026
3

Sign In With Passkey

New feature

The documentation now directs applications to use the credential management API, with low-privilege delegated permissions, so signed-in customers can list and register their own passkeys.

2 October 2026

Microsoft Entra ID: Enhance protection of the authentication experience by blocking external script injection

New

Microsoft Entra ID will enhance sign-in security by enforcing a Content Security Policy blocking external script injection starting mid-October 2026. Only trusted Microsoft scripts will run, affecting organizations using script-injecting tools on login.microsoftonline.com. No action needed if such tools aren't used.

28 September 2026
Message CenterMC1481309 on mc.merill.net ↗Plan for change
1

Retirement of SharePoint One-Time Passcode (SPO OTP) and transition to Microsoft Entra B2B

New

SharePoint One-Time Passcode (SPO OTP) authentication will retire starting mid-October 2026, transitioning external sharing and authentication to Microsoft Entra B2B. This change affects all Microsoft 365 tenants, requiring guest accounts for external users and enabling consistent governance and Conditional Access across SharePoint and OneDrive.

1 October 2026
Message CenterMC1243549 on mc.merill.net ↗Major updatePlan for change
3

Claims Customization Custom Claims Policy

Doc update

Example 3 now clearly describes creating the `JoinedData` claim by joining `extensionattribute1` with `-ext` for JWTs issued to linked service principals.

2 October 2026

Managed Identities Status

Doc update

The managed identities status table now links to permissions and identity guidance for Chaos Studio Workspaces, while retaining a separate link for Azure Chaos Studio (classic).

29 September 2026
2

Configure workload identity-based authentication for SAP SuccessFactors provisioning

Generally availableAction required

The guide removes the Preview label and documents that workload identities are reusable only when their Application API host matches the provisioning app’s SAP SuccessFactors API host. It also adds the Application ID URI format and compatibility details for the September 15, 2026 update.

1 October 2026

Kerberos

Doc update

The page now explains how Microsoft Entra ID users and groups provisioned to Active Directory with Cloud Sync can access Kerberos-protected resources through Microsoft Entra Kerberos, Windows Hello for Business, or FIDO2. It also clarifies that provisioning alone does not enable Kerberos or passwordless access.

29 September 2026
1

Harden Update Ad Fs Pingfederate

Feature updateAction required

The required Microsoft Entra Connect version changed from 2.5.79.0 to 2.6.84.0 or later. The documentation also now requires application-based authentication to maintain directory synchronization and avoid service disruptions.

1 October 2026
1

Workload Identities Flexible Federated Identity Credentials

Doc update

The page now notes that, starting July 15, 2026, GitHub will automatically use immutable subject claims for newly created, renamed, or transferred repositories. Existing repositories will retain name-based claims unless opted in.

29 September 2026
1

Create content policies for network content filtering

Doc update

The documentation now clarifies Basic content filtering and Scan with Purview descriptions, including that scanning can audit or block selected file and text content based on conditions.

28 September 2026
1

Connectors

Feature update

The documentation specifies non-overlapping dynamic TCP ports 49152–65535 and AutoReuse TCP ports 10000–49151, with new configuration and verification commands. It also adds Windows Server 2016+ prerequisites and clarifies that AutoReuse applies only to TCP.

28 September 2026
1

Known limitations for Global Secure Access

Doc update

The known limitations article now states that the client doesn't support Secure DNS variants such as DoH, DoT, or DNSSEC, and that the macOS client bypasses Secure DNS to enforce FQDN-based tunneling.

30 September 2026
1

Configure Connectors

Doc update

The connector configuration guidance now refers to configuring dynamic and AutoReuse TCP port ranges instead of extending TCP and UDP ephemeral ports.

28 September 2026
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