Microsoft Update for Microsoft Partners

Welcome to our news! 

Have you ever wondered what it is Microsoft has been doing lately? If so, you're in the right place. We've carefully selected Microsoft's most significant updates over the last month, making sure you're always up to date. 

As Microsoft eventually makes changes that directly impact your business, understanding the latest releases can give you a competitive edge. 

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Microsoft Updates - [10/2025]

 

1 Extended Service Term (EST) for CSP subscriptions

A new post-expiration path is coming to CSP: no more free grace period. From April 1, 2026, EST becomes the continuity option, at a cost for sure.

What’s happening:

• Microsoft is introducing an Extended Service Term option after subscription expiration. The free grace period for non-renewed subscriptions is being discontinued. EST keeps services running with a 3% uplift at the standard monthly rate, cancelable anytime (prorated).

Date of Announcement: 

• October 14, 2025

Effective Date:

• April 1, 2026

Who is affected:

• All CSPs (direct bill, distributors, indirect resellers). Also applies to MCA-E and Buy-Online purchases.

Action Required:

• Identify subscriptions that will auto-move into EST (purchased on/after Apr 1, 2025; expires on/after Apr 1, 2026; auto-renew off).
• Brief customers early on renewal/cancel/EST choices to prevent surprise billing.
• Prepare system updates: sandbox in November, “cancel at end of term” option available in January.
• Review the details on this coming change and become familiar with the system updates that are required.
• Review the coming change with your customers and discuss the best option for their business needs before the end of their services terms to avoid unexpected billing.

2 Security workspace rollout for indirect resellers

Partner Center is getting a dedicated Security workspace for indirect resellers. It’s designed to make day-to-day security actions easier to find and harder to ignore.

What’s happening: 

• A new Security workspace is rolling out in Partner Center. It centralizes security actions and visibility for indirect resellers.

Date of Announcement:

• October 22, 2025

Effective Date:

• By early November 2025 (all indirect resellers have access)

Who is affected:

• Indirect resellers (plus CSP direct bill partners and indirect providers operating across CSP/advisors)

Action Required:

• Indirect resellers should log in and adopt the Security workspace workflows as it becomes available (align internal ops and support playbooks).

3 MFA enforcement across Partner Center (portal + APIs)

Microsoft is locking down Partner Center access with mandatory MFA, including APIs. The portal is already covered, and full API enforcement lands in FY26.

What’s happening:

• Microsoft is finalizing mandatory MFA for Partner Center pages and API access. APIs are MFA-ready for integration, with full enforcement coming in FY26.

Date of Announcement: 

• October 22, 2025 (also reinforced October 1, 2025)

Effective Date:

• Portal pages: MFA required as of August 30, 2025
• APIs: MFA-enabled and ready for testing by September 30, 2025
• API enforcement: April 1, 2026 (API calls without MFA will be blocked)

Who is affected:

• All partners using Partner Center, especially those using APIs

Action Required:

• Integrate MFA into API flows now and validate end-to-end authentication before April 1, 2026 to avoid service disruption. Learn more about MFA, APIs, and other security standards.

4 MFA for Microsoft 365 admin center (heads-up)

MFA is becoming the default for the Microsoft 365 admin center. Expect tighter sign-in requirements across admin roles as Microsoft rolls out its timeline.

What’s happening:

• Microsoft is enforcing MFA for all users signing into the Microsoft 365 admin center portal (timeline referenced in Microsoft guidance).

Date of Announcement: 

• October 22, 2025

Effective Date:

• Per Microsoft timeline (referenced; not specified in the excerpt)

Who is affected:

• Organizations administering Microsoft 365 (partners and customers)

Action Required:

• Validate admin access policies and roll MFA across admin roles aligned to Microsoft’s published timeline. Review the latest information and timeline. 

5 Updated sales compliance resources (FY26)

Microsoft refreshed its FY26 sales compliance toolkit: playbooks, training, and guidance in one place. The old site is gone; the new resources are now the source of truth.

What’s happening:

• Refreshed sales compliance training and resources are live, built to reduce deal friction, improve audit readiness, and standardize execution. Legacy playbook site is retired.

Date of Announcement:

• October 14, 2025

Effective Date:

• Available now (legacy site removed September 30, 2025)

Who is affected:

• All partners

Action Required:

• Shift teams to the updated Sales Deal Execution Playbook and the Compliance Readiness Training Gallery.