Week in brief

Entra administrators face November 3 MemberOf retirement and new agent guidance

The week’s clearest operational deadline is Microsoft Entra’s November 3, 2026 retirement of the MemberOf rule operator, requiring replacement in dynamic groups, administrative units, and entitlement policies. Near-term authentication changes include late-October B2B passkey support and an October–November rollout of authenticated password change; the latter is disabled by default and requires administrator activation. Microsoft also published preview lifecycle-policy guidance for Agent ID, while Conditional Access documentation now explicitly separates agent-user targeting from ordinary Users assignments.

  • Microsoft’s final reminder says organizations must replace MemberOf in dynamic groups, administrative units, and entitlement policies. After November 3, MemberOf-based updates will stop, creating outdated membership, access, and licensing results.

  • Microsoft Entra ID will support passkey registration and sign-in for B2B users in resource tenants starting in late October 2026. Internal guest users receive Microsoft Authenticator app passkeys, while external users do not. The feature is enabled by default and intersects with SMS and voice retirement policies.

  • During the October–November 2026 global rollout, users who sign in with a passkey, FIDO2 security key, or Windows Hello can change their password without knowing the current password or using self-service password reset. The feature is disabled by default and requires administrator activation.

  • A new preview article documents periodic reconfirmation, minimum sponsor requirements, inactivity monitoring, notifications, grace periods, and enforcement actions for agent identities. Administrators can use these controls to govern inactive or orphaned agents and improve sponsor or owner accountability.

  • The updated Agent ID guidance states that policies assigned through Users do not apply to agent user accounts, whether they target all users, selected users, groups, directory roles, or external users. Policies protecting those accounts must select Agents under Users, agents, or workload identities.

For Entra administrators

Replace MemberOf configurations before November 3 and review affected access and licensing dependencies. Review Conditional Access and SMS/voice retirement policies ahead of the B2B passkey rollout. Activate authenticated password change deliberately if required. For agent users, audit existing policies because ordinary Users assignments do not cover them; select Agents instead. The Agent ID lifecycle-policy guidance is preview and states no mandatory action.

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

Updates this week

16

Configure Microsoft Entra Kerberos trust

Doc update

The documentation now covers prerequisites, PowerShell module installation, Trusted Domain Object creation, client ticket configuration, key rotation, and trust removal.

9 October 2026

Whats New

Generally available

The documentation states that generally available key rotation improves reliability for incoming trust referral flows and addresses authentication failures caused when referral tickets used a secondary key.

9 October 2026

Kerberos Server Key Rotation

Doc update

The standalone article describing Kerberos server-key rotation, prerequisites, dual-key behavior, and the Set-AzureADKerberosServer procedure was deleted.

9 October 2026

Self-service password reset deep dive

Doc update

The guidance now states that Microsoft Authenticator, software OATH tokens, and hardware OATH tokens count as one authentication method for SSPR, regardless of Authentication methods policy migration status.

6 October 2026

Native authentication API reference documentation

Doc update

The native authentication API reference was updated with spelling corrections. The supplied examples, links, endpoints, error details, and configuration guidance remain unchanged.

6 October 2026

Sso Admin Control

Doc update

The documentation fixes minor formatting in the scope notes and corrects the image text from `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHIEN` to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE`.

6 October 2026
13

Manage Device Identities

Feature update

The documentation now states that any user can use **Download devices** to export a CSV of devices, with optional filters; without filters, all devices are included.

9 October 2026

Policy Autonomous Agents

Feature update

The documentation now specifies Microsoft Entra ID P1 or Microsoft 365 E3 for Conditional Access, and Microsoft Entra ID P2 or Microsoft 365 E5 when using agent risk-based Conditional Access with Microsoft Agent 365.

7 October 2026

Policy Agent User

Doc update

The documentation adds links and clarifies that relevant agents run on Intune-managed Windows 365 Cloud PCs, with Global Secure Access for compliant network policies. It also refines targeting, assignment, and risk-level guidance.

7 October 2026

Policy Autonomous Agents

Doc update

The documentation now uses corrected step numbering and clearer instructions for excluding agent blueprints or identities and creating custom attributes and predefined values.

7 October 2026

Policy Agent User

Feature update

The documentation now lists Microsoft 365 E7, or Microsoft Agent 365 paired with Microsoft Entra P1 or Microsoft 365 E3, instead of a general Entra ID P1 or P2 requirement.

7 October 2026

Policy Autonomous Agents

Feature updateAction required

The documentation now lists two licensing options: Microsoft 365 E7, or Agent 365 paired with Microsoft Entra P1 or Microsoft 365 E3. It also states that Agent 365 will soon be required.

7 October 2026

Policy Agent User

Doc update

The guidance now links to the Windows 365 Cloud PC for Agents introduction and the Entra Global Secure Access overview.

7 October 2026

Policy Autonomous Agents

Doc update

The documentation now says Microsoft 365 E7 protects access for both users and agents, replacing wording about governance of user and agent identities.

7 October 2026

Connect Version History

Doc update

The version history page was updated with spelling fixes in existing release and feature descriptions.

6 October 2026

Get started integrating with Microsoft Entra ID

New feature

The guide now covers selecting Cloud Sync or Connect Sync and configuring Cloud Sync to synchronize Active Directory computer objects for Microsoft Entra hybrid join.

6 October 2026

Recover Objects

Doc update

Changed “cancelation” to “cancellation” in the recovery job instructions.

6 October 2026
9

Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync migration decision guide

Feature updateAction required

The decision guide now states that Cloud Sync supports device synchronization for Microsoft Entra hybrid join. Device synchronization must be enabled separately, with updated migration guidance and configuration steps.

6 October 2026

Migrate to Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync

Doc update

The guide now describes phased migration planning, including Cloud Sync device synchronization for Microsoft Entra hybrid join and prerequisite checks.

6 October 2026

Using a deprecated version of Microsoft Entra Connect

Doc update

The article now helps administrators check their Microsoft Entra Connect version, evaluate Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync—including device synchronization—and find the latest upgrade guidance.

6 October 2026

Common hybrid scenarios with Microsoft Entra ID

Feature update

The comparison table now lists Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync as supporting Microsoft Entra hybrid join and links to Cloud Sync device synchronization instructions. The article also expands comparisons across Cloud Sync, Connect Sync, MIM, and ECMA Host.

6 October 2026

Configure your integration with Active Directory

New feature

The guide now covers configuring Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync and Connect Sync, including synchronizing Active Directory computer objects to Microsoft Entra ID for hybrid join.

6 October 2026

Understand Microsoft Entra Connect Sync

Doc update

The article now explains Cloud Sync as synchronizing users, groups, contacts, and devices, and links to device synchronization configuration guidance.

6 October 2026

Tools used for synchronization

Doc update

The comparison article now includes devices among supported synchronization scenarios and notes that Cloud Sync can synchronize computer objects for Microsoft Entra hybrid join when device sync is enabled. It also adds a comparison table and selection wizard.

6 October 2026
5

Enforcement Resource Exclusions

Doc update

The documentation now states that baseline-scope enforcement rollout began June 15, 2026. It adds a Microsoft Graph query for finding affected Conditional Access policies and clarifies customization and sign-in review guidance.

9 October 2026

Microsoft Entra ID: Passkey support for B2B users

New

Microsoft Entra ID will support passkey registration and sign-in for B2B users, enabling phishing-resistant MFA in resource tenants starting late October 2026. Internal guest users get Microsoft Authenticator app passkeys; external users do not. The feature is enabled by default, intersecting with SMS/voice retirement policies. No action required, but administrators should review policies.

8 October 2026
Message CenterMC1459133 on mc.merill.net ↗Stay informed

Secure agent users with Microsoft Entra Conditional Access

New feature

A new guide explains how to apply Conditional Access to agents using their own user accounts, including policies for agent risk, compliant devices, and compliant networks. It also documents agent-specific targeting and prerequisites.

7 October 2026

Microsoft Entra ID: Final reminder to replace MemberOf rule operator configurations by November 3, 2026

New

Microsoft Entra ID will retire the MemberOf rule operator by November 3, 2026. Organizations must replace MemberOf in dynamic groups, administrative units, and entitlement policies to avoid outdated memberships, access, and licensing issues. After this date, MemberOf-based updates will stop, impacting Conditional Access and related services.

5 October 2026
Message CenterMC1488834 on mc.merill.net ↗Plan for change
5
4

Assign User Or Group Access Portal

Doc update

The enterprise application page received spelling corrections in its user, group, and app-role assignment guidance.

6 October 2026
4

What is Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync?

Doc update

The article now explains that enabled device synchronization can sync Active Directory computer objects to Microsoft Entra ID so devices can become hybrid joined, and links to configuration steps.

6 October 2026

What is a Microsoft Entra hybrid joined device?

Doc update

The article now explains that Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync can synchronize Active Directory computer objects to Microsoft Entra ID for hybrid join and links to configuration guidance.

6 October 2026

Microsoft Entra Health

Doc update

Corrected a spelling error and updated punctuation in the Microsoft Entra Health article.

6 October 2026

Zero Trust Ai

Doc update

The page no longer includes the ms.author, author, or manager metadata fields.

6 October 2026
3

Credential Management Api

Doc updateAction required

The article now links to a sample app demonstrating passkey listing and registration with delegated permissions and warns that its deletion flow uses high-privilege application permissions and a client secret in browser code.

6 October 2026

Credential Management Api

Doc update

The Microsoft Entra External ID credential management API reference was deleted, including guidance for passkey listing and registration, delegated permissions, authentication, and sample usage.

6 October 2026
1

Multi Tenant Common Considerations

Doc update

The documentation corrects wording and spacing in guidance about cross-tenant access policies, guest self-service sign-up, Conditional Access sign-in frequency, and governance.

6 October 2026
1

Sla Performance

Doc update

The September row now includes an additional 99.999% value in the performance reference table.

7 October 2026
1

Troubleshoot Hybrid Join Windows Current

Doc update

The Windows hybrid-join troubleshooting page received spelling and copy edits covering TPM errors, PRT checks, and Event Viewer guidance.

6 October 2026
15

Secure agents that act as users with Conditional Access

Doc update

The page now covers agent identities and additional policy options, including custom security attributes, agent execution environments, device compliance, network locations, and agent risk. It also updates policy creation steps and links.

7 October 2026

Conditional Access for agents

Doc update

The documentation now refers to real-time risk information, rather than session risk information, among the signals used to determine access.

7 October 2026

Policy Autonomous Agents

Doc update

The autonomous agents policy documentation now includes a section for custom security attributes in policies.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The Agent ID documentation now uses the correct anchor for the “Allow approved agents by using custom security attributes” policy example.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The policy example link now points to the `use-custom-security-attributes` section.

7 October 2026

Secure autonomous agents with Microsoft Entra Conditional Access

Doc update

The article now focuses on Conditional Access for agents using their own identities, adds prerequisites, clarifies that policies target agent identities rather than users, and recommends report-only block policies for unapproved agents.

7 October 2026

Secure autonomous agents with Conditional Access

Feature update

The article now documents the enhanced object picker for selecting agent identities and blueprints, updates policy-creation steps, and notes that an Agent 365 license will soon be required.

7 October 2026

Conditional Access for Agents in Microsoft Entra

Doc update

The overview now explains policy decisions, evaluation timing, token subjects and audiences, and supported agent access patterns. It also adds links to related identity-management and policy guidance.

7 October 2026

Microsoft Entra Conditional Access for agents overview

Doc update

The overview now explains how Conditional Access evaluates the token subject and resource, and distinguishes delegated, agent-identity, and agent-user-account scenarios. Licensing and network-control requirements remain documented.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The documentation now states that Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access for agents requires an eligible license plan, including Microsoft 365 E7 with Agent 365 and Microsoft Entra Suite. The explanatory governance phrase was removed.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The documentation now states that Conditional Access evaluates the signed-in user who is the token subject, including users targeted directly or through groups. Selecting an agent identity does not cover OBO traffic.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The documentation clarifies that Conditional Access policies targeting agent identities do not apply to on-behalf-of (OBO) traffic, because the user is the subject of that flow.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Feature update

The licensing requirements now list Microsoft 365 E7, or Microsoft Agent 365 paired with at least Microsoft Entra P1 or Microsoft 365 E3.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The Microsoft Agent 365 licensing prerequisite bullet was reformatted for consistency.

7 October 2026
7

Agent Id

Doc update

The Conditional Access Agent ID page now links to Microsoft Agent 365 plans and pricing instead of the Agent ID getting-started information.

7 October 2026

Howto Target Agent Identities

Doc update

The agent identity targeting documentation now links to the relevant section on Conditional Access policies and agent identity blueprints.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc updateAction required

The documentation clarifies that policies scoped through the Users assignment do not apply to agent user accounts, regardless of whether they target all users, selected users, groups, directory roles, or external users. To protect agents, select Agents under Users, agents, or workload identities.

7 October 2026

Agent Id

Doc update

The documentation now identifies the agent identity, rather than the application or autonomous agent, as the subject in application-only access.

7 October 2026

Agent Access Packages

Doc update

The documentation now states more clearly that an agent needs assigned OAuth delegated permissions to assist a user when accessing a target resource’s APIs.

6 October 2026

Agent Access Packages

Doc updateAction required

The documentation now states that agent identities need delegated OAuth permissions for target resources, such as Microsoft Graph or an application, to assist users with API access.

6 October 2026

Integrate N8n Agent

Doc update

The n8n agent integration page no longer includes the `author` and `ms.author` metadata fields.

6 October 2026
2

Investigate Agent ID autonomous sign-ins

Doc update

Adds a how-to article explaining Health Monitoring signals and alerts, log correlation, impact criteria, troubleshooting, and prerequisites for autonomous agent sign-ins. The monitoring and alerts are documented as being in preview.

9 October 2026

Investigate Agent ID interactive sign-ins

Doc update

A new how-to explains how to interpret Health Monitoring signals, correlate agent properties with sign-in and audit logs, and mitigate common failures. It also identifies the relevant non-interactive sign-in logs and documents licensing and role prerequisites.

9 October 2026
2

Entra Agent ID lifecycle policies

New feature

The article explains how to create policies for agent identities, including periodic reconfirmation, minimum sponsor requirements, inactivity monitoring, notifications, grace periods, and enforcement actions. The capability is in preview.

10 October 2026

Entitlement Management Access Package Resources

Doc update

The documentation now identifies the resource role as applying to an AI agent’s service principal or agent ID and adds numbered steps for selecting API permissions, permission type, required permissions, and updating the configuration.

6 October 2026
1

Call Api Azure Services

Doc update

The documentation corrects spelling errors, including “credentials,” and adds missing punctuation to a step describing token credentials and Azure SDK clients.

6 October 2026
1

Agent Id Governance Overview

Doc update

The documentation now describes the linked guidance as covering delegated and application permissions for Microsoft Graph and applications.

6 October 2026
1
5
1
5

Microsoft Entra External ID app samples and guides

Doc update

The page title and description now use Microsoft Entra External ID terminology. Passkey sample links were updated from listing and registration to sign-in and management, and the sample table was revised.

6 October 2026

Sign In With Passkey

Doc update

The documentation now describes a sample where signed-in customers list and register their own passkeys. It warns that the deletion flow uses high-privilege permissions and a client secret, so the sample is for test tenants only.

6 October 2026

Faq Customers

Feature update

The documentation now states that SMS is unavailable only for first-factor authentication in external tenants, indicating availability for self-service password reset. SMS remains available for second-factor verification at additional cost.

6 October 2026
1

Samples and guides for integrating apps with External ID

Doc update

The page now links to a sample for listing and registering passkeys and documents delegated permissions for those operations. It also warns that deletion uses high-privilege application permissions and a client secret in browser code.

6 October 2026
1
1

Palo Alto Coexistence

Doc update

The service connection link text now uses “configuring” instead of the misspelled “configurating.”

6 October 2026
2

Private Access Sensor Release History

Feature updateAction required

Version 2.2.79, released September 29, 2026, adds over-the-air sensor updates, enhanced Kerberos security and diagnostics, SID-based service matching, and corrected wildcard matching.

6 October 2026
2

Microsoft Entra Verified ID - IDV partner gallery

Doc update

The Entra Verified ID identity verification partners page now lists HYPR, with a link to HYPR documentation and a description of its integration for workforce identity verification.

8 October 2026
1

Managed Identities Faq

Doc update

The FAQ now uses “towards” instead of the misspelled “torwards” in its soft-deleted objects quota guidance.

6 October 2026
4
1
1
1

Secure Web Ai Gateway Agents

Doc update

The documentation corrects “Web respositories” to “Web repositories” in an example of security rules.

6 October 2026
Daily Entra.News

Get daily email updates

Get a concise summary of the latest Microsoft Entra updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Loading the secure signup form…