ICT Solutions News Desk

In Outlook, users can hide a suggested recipient while addressing an email. For example, selecting the X next to a name in the To/Cc/Bcc suggestions list. This behaviour is commonly referred to as “Contact Masking”.

Microsoft are retiring this feature for users.

When this will happen

Contact masking will reach end of support on March 31, 2026.

Who is affected

All Outlook users (Desktop, Web, Mobile) who previously hid suggested recipients

Why Microsoft are making this change

This feature has been a recurring source of customer confusion and escalations, because contacts can be accidentally hidden for one user but not others.

While the impact is felt across Microsoft 365 experiences (not just Outlook). It also isn’t managed as a contact entity setting, which creates transparency and compliance challenges.

What will change in user experience

Previously hidden (masked) suggested recipients may reappear in: 

• Addressing (To/Cc/Bcc suggestions)
• People suggestions
• Search

No new feature will replace contact masking for users.

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

Microsoft will retire the Microsoft Teams app from the Amazon Appstore to streamline our distribution channels and ensure that customers use the most secure, fully supported Teams experiences. After retirement, they will continue to invest in the Teams Web app and the Teams Android app available through the Google Play Store on supported devices.

When this will happen

The Microsoft Teams app will be retired from the Amazon Appstore in mid-March 2026.

Who is affected

Users who install or update Microsoft Teams through the Amazon Appstore.

What will happen

• Users will no longer be able to download the Microsoft Teams app from the Amazon Appstore.
• Existing installations will stop receiving updates, security fixes, and technical support.
• Installed clients will eventually stop connecting to the Teams service once they fall below the minimum supported version.
• No changes will occur for users accessing Teams through the Teams Web app or through the Teams Android app in the Google Play Store (on supported devices).

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

To maintain a high-quality and reliable experience for live Captions & Subtitles in the Microsoft 365 PowerPoint app, Microsoft is upgrading the backend service that supports this capability. As part of this improvement, older Office client versions will no longer be supported. Updating to the minimum required PowerPoint version ensures continued accessibility, performance, and reliability.

When this will happen

Upgrade by the end of September 2026

Who is affected

Organizations using Microsoft 365 PowerPoint app (Win32 or Mac)

Users running PowerPoint versions earlier than:

• Windows (Win32): 16.0.19426.20218
• macOS: 16.103.1207.4

What will happen

Users on unsupported versions will lose access to Captions & Subtitles after the listed dates.

There is no change for users on supported versions.

What you can do to prepare

Review PowerPoint client versions across your organization (Windows and Mac).

Update Office clients to:

• Windows (Win32): 16.0.19426.20218 or later
• macOS: 16.103.1207.4 or later

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or email ict@norfolk.gov.uk

The following only applies to users who use Microsoft Teams via a web browser. It does not affect Desktop and mobile Teams clients.

To maintain security, performance, and long-term compatibility, Microsoft Teams on the web will require modern browser standards. Beginning May 15th, 2026, Teams on the web will only be supported on browsers that are compliant with ECMAScript 2022 (ES2022).

When this will happen

• Now through May 14th, 2026: Users on unsupported browsers will see reminder banners.
• Beginning May 15th, 2026: Teams on the web will be blocked on non-compliant browsers.

All currently supported versions of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari are ECMAScript 2022 (ES2022) compliant. Browsers that are out of vendor support should be assumed non-compliant. A browser is considered “out of vendor support” when its publisher no longer provides updates or security fixes; these browsers should be assumed unsupported for Teams on the web.

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or email ict@norfolk.gov.uk

We would like to invite Norfolk primary schools to a Bromcom MIS online demonstration that is taking place next month. Whilst aimed primarily at Pupil Asset schools looking to switch to a new MIS, it is also open to anyone else who wishes to attend to gain an overview of the system.

Details are as follows:

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. 10:00 to 11:30 hours.

Joining details: How to register

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or email ict@norfolk.gov.uk