💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
Microsoft is upgrading the backend infrastructure that powers voice-based services within Microsoft 365 Office applications. To maintain the performance and reliability of these services, a minimum client version of 16.0.18827.20202 or higher is required. Microsoft has extended the compliance deadline to late 2026 to provide organizations with additional preparation time.
Impact
- Feature Disruption: Users running Microsoft 365 Office apps with version numbers lower than 16.0.18827.20202 will lose all functionality for Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation.
- Service Deadlines:
- Worldwide (Standard): Service for older versions will cease at the end of September 2026.
- GCC, GCC High, and DoD: Service for older versions will cease at the end of November 2026.
- No Change for Modern Clients: Users already on supported versions (Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, or updated Semi-Annual Channels) will experience no change in service or user interface.
Action Required
- Audit Environment: Use the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center inventory or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) to identify devices running Office versions older than 16.0.18827.20202.
- Update Deployment: Ensure that all Office clients are updated to the required version or higher before the applicable September or November 2026 deadline.
- Review Update Channels: For devices on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, verify that the scheduled updates for 2026 will bring the client version above the required threshold.
- User Communication: If your organization relies heavily on Transcription or Dictation features, notify users on older builds about the necessity of the update to avoid workflow interruptions.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
Updated December 12, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
To ensure continued high-quality performance of the Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation features in Microsoft 365 Office apps, we’re upgrading the backend service that powers these capabilities. As a result, these features will no longer function on Office clients running versions earlier than 16.0.18827.20202 after September 2026.
We are extending the supporting period for customers to prepare and upgrade to the supported version. Here is the updated timeline:
- General Availability (Worldwide): End of September 2026 (previously end of January)
- General Availability (GCC, GCC High, DoD): End of November 2026 (previously end of March)
How this affects your organization
If your organization is using Microsoft 365 Office apps with version numbers lower than 16.0.18827.20202, users will lose access to Read Aloud, Transcription, and Dictation features after the dates listed above.
There is no change to the user experience for clients on supported versions.
What you can do to prepare
To avoid service disruption, ensure that all Office clients are updated to version 16.0.18827.20202 or later before the applicable deadline.
You can learn more about these features using the following resources:
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.
