Upcoming channel unification: Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to Monthly Enterprise Channel

Important

The information in this article applies to: MC1274325 Upcoming change: Microsoft 365 Apps SAEC and MEC will unify

Beginning with the Version 2606 update release in July 2026, Microsoft will unify Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel and Monthly Enterprise Channel into a single enterprise-focused channel for Microsoft 365 Apps. This change helps simplify update management while continuing to provide a predictable, enterprise-ready servicing experience.

This article explains what you can expect for devices that are currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. It also describes how the change appears in Microsoft 365 Apps and management tools, and which readiness checks you can do to prepare.

What changes on devices

  • Devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel receive the same feature and security updates as devices on Monthly Enterprise Channel, beginning with the Version 2606 update release.
  • After Version 2606 or later is installed, devices show as Monthly Enterprise Channel in Microsoft 365 Apps experiences, including the File > Account backstage view.
  • Users are not expected to experience workflow changes as a result of this change. Existing Microsoft 365 Apps continue to update through their configured management process.
  • The first update may be larger than a typical monthly update, depending on the device’s current build. After the transition, future updates are expected to follow the normal Monthly Enterprise Channel cadence and size.
  • Devices with users that meet Microsoft 365 Copilot requirements will become eligible for Copilot after the update because they are on the Monthly Enterprise Channel experience.

Preparing for the change

Use the following guidance to review your update management configuration, reporting dependencies, and operational readiness before the July update. These checks can help your organization understand how affected devices are managed and how the channel change appears across admin tools.

What to expect with Cloud Update

Cloud Update in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center is optimized for this change and is designed to support the transition through inventory, onboarding, and channel change.

  • Cloud Update evaluates devices as Monthly Enterprise Channel after Version 2606 is installed.
  • If your tenant uses Cloud Update for Monthly Enterprise Channel, eligible devices will become available for Cloud Update management after the transition.
  • Devices that onboard may receive a second update notification in July to complete the transition to Monthly Enterprise Channel.
  • Existing Cloud Update configuration continues to apply, including update profiles, rollout waves, exclusion windows, pause, rollback, and device exclusions.
  • If specific devices should not be managed through Cloud Update, use existing controls in Cloud Update, such as exclusion groups or update profile configuration changes.

What to expect with other management tools

This section applies to organizations that use Microsoft Intune, Configuration Manager, Group Policy, or other deployment tools to manage Microsoft 365 Apps updates.

  • Existing supported update policies continue to be respected. No policy migration or admin action is required for the July update to apply.
  • Depending on the management tool, reporting for Microsoft 365 Apps may show as Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel after Version 2606 is installed. Devices with build numbers higher than 20131.20000 have successfully installed Version 2606.
  • Reporting, automation, dashboards, or compliance processes that reference Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel may need to account for devices reporting as Monthly Enterprise Channel after the update.
  • Identify devices currently using Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel and confirm which business groups they support.
  • Review how Microsoft 365 Apps updates are managed across your organization.
  • Check whether reporting, automation, dashboards, or compliance processes rely on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel naming and if they need to be updated. Note, reporting in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center will be accurate.
  • If your organization uses Cloud Update for Monthly Enterprise Channel, review Cloud Update profiles, exclusions, and rollout settings before the July update, as devices that are on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will begin onboarding automatically if no action is taken.
  • Communicate the expected reporting change to service desk, endpoint management, change management, and application owner teams so they understand that affected devices may show as Monthly Enterprise Channel after the July update.

Frequently asked questions

Do admins need to take action for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel devices to receive the July update?

No. Devices currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel receive the Version 2606 update through the existing Microsoft 365 Apps update process. No channel migration, reinstallation, or policy migration is required for the July update to apply.

Will users see a change in Microsoft 365 Apps after the update?

Users are not expected to experience workflow changes as a result of this change. Existing Microsoft 365 Apps desktop apps continue to update through the configured management process.

Will existing update policies and deployment tools continue to work?

Yes. Existing supported update policies and configurations continue to be respected. Organizations can continue to use Microsoft Intune, Configuration Manager, Group Policy, the Office Deployment Tool, or other supported update solutions to manage updates for Microsoft 365 Apps.

Can I start moving devices to Monthly Enterprise Channel now?

Yes. You can move devices to Monthly Enterprise Channel before the July update if your organization is ready. Use your existing supported update management process, such as Microsoft Intune, Configuration Manager, Group Policy, the Office Deployment Tool, or Cloud Update, to manage the channel change.

Will the first update be larger than a typical monthly update?

It might be. The first update may be larger than a typical monthly update, depending on the device’s current build. After the transition, future updates are expected to follow the normal Monthly Enterprise Channel cadence.

Does this change affect Microsoft 365 Copilot eligibility?

Devices with users that meet Microsoft 365 Copilot requirements may become eligible for Copilot after the update because they are on the Monthly Enterprise Channel experience. Eligibility still depends on the applicable Microsoft 365 Copilot requirements.

Can organizations keep using other update channels?

Yes. This change applies to devices that are currently configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel. Organizations can continue to use other supported update channels for device groups that require a different update experience.

Why does the app backstage show Monthly Enterprise Channel, but our management tools or reports still show Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel?

After Version 2606 or later is installed, Microsoft 365 Apps experiences, including the File > Account backstage view, show affected devices as Monthly Enterprise Channel. Some management tools, reports, dashboards, or automation may continue to show Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel depending on how they identify or refresh channel data. Devices with build numbers higher than 20131.20000 have successfully installed Version 2606.

Will Cloud Update automatically manage affected devices after the transition?

If your tenant uses Cloud Update for Monthly Enterprise Channel, eligible devices will automatically start onboarding for Cloud Update management after the transition. Existing Cloud Update configuration continues to apply, including update profiles, rollout waves, exclusion windows, pause, rollback, and device exclusions.

How do I prevent these devices from automatically onboarding with Cloud Update?

If your tenant uses Cloud Update for Monthly Enterprise Channel, eligible devices may start onboarding automatically after the transition. There are a few options to control this experience:

Can our organization stay on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel until September?

Yes. If your organization needs more time to prepare, Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Version 2508 is supported through September 8, 2026. To stay on Version 2508 after the July release, you must configure your update management tools to prevent devices from receiving Version 2606.

Should I move devices to Monthly Enterprise Channel after the 2606 update?

Yes. Moving devices fully to Monthly Enterprise Channel after Version 2606 is installed is optional. Version 2606 enables devices configured for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to receive the Monthly Enterprise Channel experience. However, some management tools or reports may continue to show Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel until a future update. If your organization wants devices to be fully configured as Monthly Enterprise Channel, use a supported channel change method.

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