Summary:
User exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics will be managed through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method.
Existing exclusion lists will automatically migrate to VFAM, ensuring continuity for already excluded users.
Admins will be able to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level using VFAM policies.
The method of exclusion management is updated, but the exclusion behavior remains unchanged.
No immediate action is required from admins, but they should inform their Viva admins and review settings once VFAM is live.
Admin Impact
Medium
User Impact
Low
Release Start
01 Dec 2025
Release End
12 Dec 2025
Services
Viva
Category: Stay informed
Tags
Feature Update
User Adoption
Admin Action
History
11/21/2025 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Introduction:
We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early December 2025, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This new approach lets admins create user-, group-, or tenant-level policies to exclude users from all Viva Insights measurement (Copilot Dashboard, Advanced Insights, Organizational Insights), using the same scalable policy framework as other Viva features.
When this will happen:
The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early December 2025. Exact rollout dates may vary by region.
How this affects your organization:
Who is affected: Admins managing Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions.
What will happen:
Existing exclusion lists will be automatically migrated to VFAM; no admin action is required.
Users already excluded will remain excluded across all Viva Insights experiences.
VFAM will become the default and only method for managing exclusions.
Admins will use VFAM policies to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level.
The exclusion behavior remains unchanged; only the configuration method is updated.
Screenshot – Viva Feature Access Management feature for Exclusion management:
user settings
What you can do to prepare:
No immediate action is required.
Inform your Viva admins about the upcoming change.
Once VFAM is live, review your exclusion settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center (under Viva Insights).
Use the VFAM policy interface for any future updates.
Learn more about VFAM access: Control access to features in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn
Compliance considerations:
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.