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Will the Removal of Outdated OneDrive GPOs Negatively Impact Your MS365 Experience? Find Out Now!
Microsoft has recently announced two significant updates affecting OneDrive integration and policy management within Microsoft 365 (MS365) applications. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead and ensure your organization is prepared.
MS365 Apps Now Prompt Users to Back Up Data to OneDrive
Microsoft is rolling out an update that will prompt users of MS365 desktop apps—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—to back up their files to OneDrive using the Known Folder Move (KFM) feature.
Key Points:
- Prompt for Backup: Users will see a message bar below the toolbar encouraging them to save and share their documents via OneDrive for enhanced collaboration and data security.
- Target Audience: This prompt specifically targets users who have not yet enabled Known Folder Move (KFM) in their organization.
- User Action: Users can choose which folders to back up, making it easier to safeguard important files and collaborate with colleagues.
Rollout Timeline:
- Public Preview: Mid-April 2025 – End of April 2025
- General Availability: Early May 2025 – Mid-June 2025
- Delay Notice: The rollout was postponed by one month from the original March 2025 schedule.
Administrative Controls: Administrators can manage or block these backup prompts through policy settings, ensuring alignment with organizational data management strategies.
Removal of Two Outdated OneDrive Group Policies (GPOs)
Microsoft is also retiring two legacy OneDrive Group Policy Objects (GPOs), affecting all MS365 tenants, including Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, and DoD environments.
GPOs Being Removed:
- EnableHoldTheFile
- EnableAllOcsiClients
Impact:
- These policies will be removed without replacement at the beginning of May 2025.
- Organizations relying on these GPOs should review their OneDrive configurations and update their management approach accordingly.
What Should You Do Next?
- Review your organization’s current OneDrive and KFM adoption.
- Inform users about the upcoming prompts and the benefits of backing up to OneDrive.
- Check your Group Policy settings and prepare for the removal of the two deprecated GPOs.
Staying informed and proactive about these changes will help your organization maximize data protection and productivity while minimizing disruption.