Windows Server 2025

Microsoft announce that Windows Server 2025 is generally available from 1 November, 2024. From a what’s-the-same perspective, there are still Standard and Datacenter editions which differ by a couple of technical features but mainly by their virtualisation licensing rights, and CALs are still needed for users or devices. From a what’s-new perspective, there’s now a PAYG licensing option through Azure Arc, and prices are increased by 10%.

Find the (low-key) announcement here: https://bit.ly/40DqRHY, and early information on the PAYG option here: https://bit.ly/3YxtfgP.

Microsoft Planner

In April 2024 Microsoft released a new Planner app in Microsoft Teams for Office 365 E1/E3/F3, Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F1/F3 and Microsoft 365 Business Basic/Standard/Premium customers. At that time, Project Plan 1 was renamed Planner Plan 1 and includes the new Planner as well as further, premium project management features.

This month, October 2024, the Product Terms is updated for the renaming of Project Plan 3 to Planner and Project Plan 3, and Project Plan 5 to Planner and Project Plan 5.

Compare the different project management offerings here: https://bit.ly/40gTmv4, and find a useful FAQ on the changes here: https://bit.ly/4fe1WyZ.

Microsoft 365 Apps Licensing Brief

There’s an updated (October 2024) Microsoft 365 Apps Licensing Brief from Microsoft. It coincides, of course, with the recent launch of Office LTSC 2024 – see our blog: https://bit.ly/3Yq4O5c, and now also includes the Flexible Virtualization Benefit.

There’s also a question added about whether you can deploy the Microsoft 365 Apps on Amazon WorkSpaces – you can.

Find this updated guide here: https://bit.ly/409v1HA.

Office LTSC Microsoft Licensing Brief

There’s an updated (September 2024) Office LTSC Licensing Brief from Microsoft updated, of course, for the recent launch of Office LTSC 2024 – see our blog: https://bit.ly/3Yq4O5c.

It now also includes the Flexible Virtualization Benefit and the new external user definition effective from October 2024 – see our blog: https://bit.ly/4fdde6r.

There are also long-overdue updates for the retirement of Windows To Go, and the renaming of the Home Use Program to the Workplace Discount Program.

Find this updated guide here: https://bit.ly/3YxJdsJ.

HP Anyware for Windows 365

Microsoft announce the general availability of HP Anyware for Windows 365 for organisations that want to integrate HP Anyware digital workspaces with Windows 365 Cloud PCs. From a licensing perspective you need both a Windows 365 Enterprise licence and an HP Anyware licence.

Resources-wise, find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/3BRTiYy, an overview datasheet here: https://bit.ly/3A63vQE, and a video showing some of the benefits and the setup process here: https://bit.ly/48jz99K.

Office LTSC 2024 and Office 2024

Microsoft announce that Office LTSC 2024 (Standard and Professional Plus) and Office 2024 (Home and Home & Business) editions are available from 1 October 2024.

The LTSC flavours are accompanied by their favourite friends, Visio LTSC 2024 and Project 2024, and you can find that announcement here: https://bit.ly/480Ym91, while the consumer editions announcement is here: https://bit.ly/40esZpv.