💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Microsoft is retiring the **Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel** as a selectable option within the Office Customization Tool (available via the Microsoft 365 apps admin center) and the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management interface in Configuration Manager. This change is designed to streamline update channel management and encourage the adoption of more frequent security and feature updates provided by the Monthly Enterprise and Current Channels.
#### Impact
The transition will affect IT administrators in the following ways:
- New Configurations: Starting April 6, 2026, administrators will no longer be able to select “Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel” when creating new deployment configurations in the affected tools.
- Existing Configurations: Deployment configurations already created with the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will remain functional and retain that value when viewed or edited.
- Device Status: There is no immediate impact on devices currently running Microsoft 365 Apps on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel; they will continue to operate and receive updates according to their existing configuration.
- Available Options: Only the Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will remain available for new configuration workflows in these specific management interfaces.
#### Action Required
While no immediate technical action is required to maintain current operations, IT administrators should perform the following:
- Internal Documentation: Update any internal SOPs, deployment guides, or training materials that reference selecting the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel during setup.
- Team Notification: Inform deployment teams and system administrators about the removal of this option to avoid confusion during new project rollouts.
- Channel Strategy Review: Evaluate existing deployment configurations and consider transitioning devices to the Monthly Enterprise Channel or Current Channel to align with Microsoft’s recommended update cadence.
- Migration Planning: If you intend to move devices to a different channel, refer to the official Microsoft documentation: “Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel for devices in your organization.”
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
Updated March 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
We’re retiring the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option from the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center and in the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager. This retirement supports our ongoing efforts to simplify update channel management for Microsoft 365 Apps and ensure customers benefit from the most secure, up-to-date experience. We will continue to invest in the Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel, which offer more frequent security and feature updates.
[When this will happen]
We will begin retiring this option on April 6, 2026, and expect to complete the retirement by April 11, 2026.
[How this affects your organization]
Who is affected
- Organizations that use the Office Customization Tool in the Microsoft 365 apps admin center to create deployment configurations for Microsoft 365 Apps.
- Organizations that use the Microsoft Office 365 Client Management experience in Configuration Manager.
What will happen
- The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will be removed from the list of available update channel options when creating new deployment configurations.
- Deployment configurations you have already created that use Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will continue to retain that value when viewed or edited; however, it will not be available as a selectable option for new configurations.
- Only Current Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel will be available for new configuration creation.
- There is no impact to devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
[What you can do to prepare]
No admin action is required for this retirement. You may choose to:
- Notify relevant admins or deployment teams of this upcoming change.
- Update internal documentation if it references the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel as a selectable option.
- Review your existing configurations in the Office Customization Tool if you plan to transition to a different update channel going forward.
- If desired, use this Microsoft Learn resource to plan channel migration: Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel for devices in your organization | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn.
[Compliance considerations]
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.
