Table of Contents
Summary
- The Featured Links capability on the SharePoint Start Page is being retired due to low adoption.
- Admins will lose access to create, edit, or update Featured Links, and existing links will be removed from SharePoint.
- Users can consider alternatives like global navigation links or Resources in Viva Connections for highlighting important content.
- Communication about this change should be shared with helpdesk and SharePoint site owners.
- No other SharePoint navigation features or Viva Connections resources will be affected.
Admin Impact: Medium
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 01 Mar 2026
Release End: 30 Jun 2026
Services: SharePoint
Category: Plan for change
Tags: User Adoption, Admin Action, Retirement
History
12/15/2025 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Introduction
We’re retiring the Featured Links capability on the SharePoint Start Page due to low adoption. This change helps streamline SharePoint experiences and reduce complexity for admins and end users. Alternative options, such as global navigation links or Resources in Viva Connections, provide more consistent ways to highlight important content.
Screenshot: The Featured Links option set for retirement appears at the bottom left in this image.
When this will happen
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Retirement begins early March 2026 and will complete by late June 2026.
How this affects your organization
Who is affected: All organizations using Featured Links on the SharePoint Start Page or SharePoint mobile app.
What will happen:
- Admins will no longer be able to create, edit, update, or access Featured Links.
- Existing Featured Links will be removed from the SharePoint Start Page and SharePoint mobile app.
- No impact to other SharePoint navigation features or Viva Connections resources.
What you can do to prepare
- Review any existing Featured Links and plan alternative navigation options.
- Consider using global navigation links or Resources in Viva Connections to highlight important sites and content.
- Communicate this change to helpdesk and SharePoint site owners.
- Update internal documentation if it references Featured Links.
Learn more: Add featured links to the SharePoint start page
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.