Microsoft 365: Targeted Release retirement

Microsoft 365 Targeted Release will retire in January 2027, replaced by Frontier, Standard, and Deferred release options. Administrators must update user enrollments and release preferences by November 2026, when Targeted Release management ends and a unified release preferences experience launches in the admin center. What and Why: Targeted release for Microsoft 365 services will be retiring in January 2027 as Microsoft 365 transitions to three release options: Frontier, Standard release, and Deferred release. To prepare for this change, review users currently enrolled in Targeted release and configure the release preference that best meets your organization’s needs. Choose your preferred release preference in the Microsoft 365 admin center: Preview access Frontier: Opt in to preview eligible AI and non-AI features before general availability. General availability access Standard release: Receive updates at general availability. Deferred release: Receive eligible major updates approximately 30 days after Standard release begins, allowing additional time for validation and readiness activities. In November 2026, administrators will no longer be able to add users to, remove users from, or modify Targeted release enrollments. Additional information about the related admin experience changes will be shared in a future Message center post. Rollout Schedule: Now: Review current release preferences and enroll users in Frontier, Standard release, or Deferred release if needed. November 2026: Targeted release enrollment changes are disabled. November 2026: Unified release preferences experience becomes available. Update your release preferences (Frontier, Standard release, Deferred release) in the unified release preferences experience. January 2027: Targeted release retires. Targeted release assignments are no longer used for Microsoft 365 feature delivery. Impact on Your Organization: Who is affected: Organizations with users or tenants enrolled in Microsoft 365 Targeted release. Administrators who manage Microsoft 365 release preferences. Platforms/Services: Microsoft 365 admin center Microsoft Teams Outlook (New) Outlook on the web Office for the Web Microsoft OneDrive SharePoint Online Some components of Exchange Online What will happen: In November 2026, administrators can no longer add, remove, or modify Targeted release assignments.  In November 2026, administrators can configure Frontier, Standard release, and Deferred release preferences from a single unified release preferences experience in the Microsoft 365 […]

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