Rob Quickenden

Microsoft 365 E7 Explained – The new “AI Frontier Suite” Today marks one of the biggest shifts in Microsoft’s productivity and security stack since the launch of Microsoft 365 E5 back in 2015. Microsoft has officially unveiled Microsoft 365 E7: The Frontier Suite, a new top‑tier offering designed for organisations that are ready to operationalise AI across their entire digital estate – not just experiment with it. For months, the industry has been buzzing with rumours about a new top‑tier Microsoft 365 SKU.

Microsoft 365 E7 Explained – The new “AI Frontier Suite”

Today marks one of the biggest shifts in Microsoft’s productivity and security stack since the launch of Microsoft 365 E5 back in 2015. Microsoft has officially unveiled Microsoft 365 E7: The Frontier Suite, a new top‑tier offering designed…

GPT‑5.4 Thinking rolling out in Microsoft 365 Copilot Hot on the heels of GPT‑5.3 released this week, which I covered in my last blog – Microsoft is now rolling out support for GPT‑5.4 Thinking to Copilot Studio early release environments and to Microsoft 365 Copilot users with priority access, with standard access following shortly. Where GPT‑5.3 focused on speed, stability, and quality, GPT‑5.4 Thinking goes deeper. This release strengthens Copilot’s ability to reason, plan, and work through complex tasks with far more structure and far less prompting.

GPT‑5.4 Thinking rolling out in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Hot on the heels of GPT‑5.3 released this week, which I covered in my last blog – Microsoft is now rolling out support for GPT‑5.4 Thinking to Copilot Studio early release environments and to Microsoft 365 Copilot users with priority access,…

Apple Raised the Stakes – How Microsoft Should Respond with a new Surface Go Apple has just reset the entry-level laptop conversation by announcing premium looking MacBook which starts at just $599 (£599 UK). Whilst not a comparison in terms of specs, it will make people look twice... At a time where Windows device are coming under more pressure than ever, Apple have done what Surface tried to do a few years back with Surface Go range (which I was very fond of) because premium at value prices are great at reseting buyer expectations especially across consumer and education markets.

Apple Raised the Stakes – How Microsoft Should Respond with a new Surface Go

Apple has just reset the entry-level laptop conversation by announcing premium looking MacBook which starts at just $599 (£599 UK). Whilst not a comparison in terms of specs, it will make people look twice... At a time…

Microsoft Rolling Out GPT‑5.3 Instant to Microsoft 365 Copilot Users Microsoft has started rolling out OpenAI’s GPT‑5.3 Instant across Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, bringing a noticeable upgrade in speed, clarity, and task‑aligned responses. This update is now live for users with priority access and is gradually reaching all Copilot environments. What does GPT-5.3 Bring? GPT‑5.3 Instant is designed to improve the quality and usefulness of everyday interactions and builds on the success (and user feedback) over 5.2.

Microsoft Rolling Out GPT‑5.3 Instant to Microsoft 365 Copilot Users

Microsoft has started rolling out OpenAI’s GPT‑5.3 Instant across Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, bringing a noticeable upgrade in speed, clarity, and task‑aligned responses. This update is now live for users with…

Why Context is the Most Valuable Layer in Enterprise AI If you’ve been following Microsoft’s AI story over the last few months and especially if you have attended any of Microsoft's city hopping AI Tours, you’ll have noticed a subtle but important shift in their messaging. 😁 Yes, Copilot is everywhere.😁 Yes, agents are becoming a core part of the narrative.😁 Microsoft 365 Copilot is not a product play, it is about platform strength.

Microsoft say that the Enterprise AI race will not be won by bigger, smarter models alone. Context is the layer that turns AI into real business value - and most organisations are missing it.

Windows 365 Devices: ASUS, Dell, and Microsoft Expand the Cloud PC Ecosystem Microsoft’s Cloud PC vision took another confident step forward this week with the introduction of two new Windows 365‑powered mini PCs from ASUS and Dell – compact, secure, cloud‑first devices designed to boot straight into a Windows 365 Cloud PC. These join Microsoft’s own Windows 365 Link, the first dedicated Cloud PC device launched back in 2025, and together they signal a maturing category that’s starting to look genuinely ready for mainstream enterprise adoption.

Windows 365 Devices: ASUS, Dell, and Microsoft Expand the Cloud PC Ecosystem

Microsoft’s Cloud PC vision took another confident step forward this week with the introduction of two new Windows 365‑powered mini PCs from ASUS and Dell – compact, secure, cloud‑first devices designed to boot straight…

Ways to Build Agents: Nube to Pro Whilst at Microsoft's AI Tour this week, I was asked my many people, the difference between building agents in AI Builder (in the Copilot App), Copilot Studio and Azure AI (and Foundry) when it comes to creating agents at work. As such, I thought I'd dop a quick (high-level non-techy) post on the differences and when you might build in each platform.

Ways to Build Agents: Nube to Pro

Whilst at Microsoft's AI Tour this week, I was asked my many people, the difference between building agents in AI Builder (in the Copilot App), Copilot Studio and Azure AI (and Foundry) when it comes to creating agents at work. As such, I thought I'd dop a quick…

What are Microsoft 365’s New AI Watermarks? Microsoft is soon rolling out a new AI watermarking policy across Microsoft 365 - and while the headlines make it sound dramatic, the real story is more nuanced. The change is part of a broader push toward transparency in AI-generated content, and it’s one that will matter increasingly as organisations scale their use of Copilot across documents, audio, and soon video.

What are Microsoft 365’s New AI Watermarks?

Microsoft is soon rolling out a new AI watermarking policy across Microsoft 365 - and while the headlines make it sound dramatic, the real story is more nuanced. The change is part of a broader push toward transparency in AI-generated content, and it’s…

Are you leaking company data to non-sanctioned AI Apps? We repeatedly hear stories around personal and corporate data being leaked on the web through the un-sanctioned use of consumer grade AI tools like Grok, ChatGPT and others. A report last week revealed how data from a popular AI App "Ask AI" leaked huge amounts of personal data from people's phones. last year, another incident involving X's Grok - with Hundreds of thousands of Grok chats exposed in Google results.

Are you leaking company data to non-sanctioned AI Apps?

We repeatedly hear stories around personal and corporate data being leaked on the web through the un-sanctioned use of consumer grade AI tools like Grok, ChatGPT and others. A report last week revealed how data from a popular AI App "Ask AI"…

Microsoft AI Tour London

Morning all. I'll be at the AI Tour in London today talking and showcasing two of my favourite Microsoft technology areas. Copilot+PCs and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Dropby the device booth to say hello, the Copilot stand or register for my short (and first) Lightening Talk on…

AI Prompting Guide: Get Better Results with Copilot and ChatGPT Generative AI is now woven into the way we work both at work and home. Whether you’re drafting content, analysing data, or simply trying to get unstuck, tools like Microsoft Copilot can be transformative - but only if you give them the right instructions. Great prompts lead to great outcomes. Weak prompts lead to generic, vague, or unusable results. And in a world where AI is becoming a core productivity skill (almost like Internet search was in the late 90s), knowing…

AI Prompting Guide: Get Better Results with Copilot and ChatGPT

Generative AI is now woven into the way we work both at work and home. Whether you’re drafting content, analysing data, or simply trying to get unstuck, tools like Microsoft Copilot can be transformative - but only if you give them…

Microsoft Expands Copilot Connectors: What the New Integrations Mean for Microsoft 365 and Enterprise AI Microsoft has expanded the Copilot Connector catalog with 35 new connectors so Microsoft 365 Copilot can reach many more external systems and data sources directly, with new developer tooling and enterprise controls to keep governance front and centre. This wave includes a General Availability release of new connectors and tools to validate connector readiness.

Microsoft Expands Copilot Connectors: What the New Integrations Mean for Microsoft 365 and Enterprise AI

Microsoft has expanded the Copilot Connector catalog with 35 new connectors so Microsoft 365 Copilot can reach many more external systems and data sources directly, with new developer tooling…

Is AI Forcing the Network conversation organisations have been avoiding? Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing applications – it’s exposing the limits of enterprise network infrastructure. In their Q2 earnings report, Cisco’s leadership team described the current campus refresh cycle as “the top of the first inning”, signalling a long‑term shift in how organisations should think about "networking in an AI‑driven world." The networks many enterprises rely on today were never designed for AI workloads.

Is AI Forcing the Network conversation organisations have been avoiding?

Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing applications – it’s exposing the limits of enterprise network infrastructure. In their Q2 earnings report, Cisco’s leadership team described the current campus refresh cycle…

What are Copilot connectors? A Copilot connector is the plumbing that brings your organisation’s external content into Microsoft 365 so Copilot can ground answers in real, company-specific data. Practically speaking, a connector extracts or fetches items from a third‑party system (files, tickets, PRs, CRM records, etc.), indexes those items into the Microsoft Graph, and makes them available to Copilot and Microsoft Search under your tenant’s security and governance rules.

What are Copilot connectors?

A Copilot connector is the plumbing that brings your organisation’s external content into Microsoft 365 so Copilot can ground answers in real, company-specific data. Practically speaking, a connector extracts or fetches items from a third‑party system (files, tickets,…

Cisco updates contract terms in Response to Market Volatility Cisco’s recent update to partner contract terms, prompted by rising memory prices, has caught attention across the partner and customer community. Of course any change that vendors make that has potential to impact pricing protection or order certainty will get the channel talking. But taken in context - and with Cisco’s own commentary in mind - this looks less like a shift in philosophy and more like a pragmatic response to a market that remains anything but stable.

Cisco updates contract terms in Response to Market Volatility

Cisco’s recent update to partner contract terms, prompted by rising memory prices, has caught attention across the partner and customer community. Of course any change that vendors make that has potential to impact pricing protection or…

Cisco Live Amsterdam 2026: AI‑Ready Networking Innovations to reshape Enterprise Infrastructure Whilst I wasn't able to make it this year, Cisco Live Amsterdam was full of announcements and updates to their core products sets. Whilst there were meaningful updates to the Webex suite, the majority of updates were very much centered on Cisco's core - the network. The message to customers and partners goes back to their roots "the network is now the backbone of the AI era…

I had FOMO this year not being at @Cisco live with the rest of #TeamCisilion but enjoyed catching up on some of posts and live streams.

Was great to see Cisco really defining their role in AI Ready Secure Networking. Here's my highlights.

What were yours? #CiscoLive

2026 Role‑Based training for Microsoft 365 Copilot users I’m a huge believer in role‑based learning because it gives people practical, relevant ways to bring AI into the work they already do. Wherever you are on your Copilot journey – curious beginner or confident user – these sessions can help you, your team mates or your friends understand how to get the best from Copilot in your line or work.

2026 Role‑Based training for Microsoft 365 Copilot users

I’m a huge believer in role‑based learning because it gives people practical, relevant ways to bring AI into the work they already do. Wherever you are on your Copilot journey – curious beginner or confident user – these sessions can help…

The AI Codex Moment – Why the Coding Models Became Front‑Page News The last week has felt like a turning point in the AI landscape. Not because of a single product launch, but because two of the biggest players in the industry effectively declared that the next frontier isn’t chat, search, or reasoning. It’s agentic coding. It's the potential to change the landscape of SaaS applications really quickly (especially for SMBs) which has caused the world to wobble a bit.

The AI Codex Moment – Why the Coding Models Became Front‑Page News

The last week has felt like a turning point in the AI landscape. Not because of a single product launch, but because two of the biggest players in the industry effectively declared that the next frontier isn’t chat, search, or…

Create Agents in One-Click from your OneDrive  Microsoft has now made it possible to create grounded knowledge “agents” directly from OneDrive. If you’ve not seen this yet, it allows you to select up to 20 OneDrive for Business files and create an agent you can use to ask natural‑language questions across all of those documents at once. You can even share it with others to use. …

Create Agents in One-Click from your OneDrive 

Microsoft has now made it possible to create grounded knowledge “agents” directly from OneDrive. If you’ve not seen this yet, it allows you to select up to 20 OneDrive for Business files and create an agent you can use to ask natural‑language…

Microsoft Q2 FY26 Earnings: Cloud & AI Power Record Growth Microsoft has opened 2026 with a landmark quarter that firmly positions them as the global leader in enterprise cloud and AI adoption. In the earning report, Microsoft has achieved milestones with cloud revenue surpassing $50 billion for the first time, record growth in Copilot usage, and major acceleration in commercial bookings, this earnings report signals a new era for Microsoft’s growth and might put the AI Bubble Burst chats to bed?

Microsoft Q2 FY26 Earnings: Cloud & AI Power Record Growth

Microsoft has opened 2026 with a landmark quarter that firmly positions them as the global leader in enterprise cloud and AI adoption. In the earning report, Microsoft has achieved milestones with cloud revenue surpassing $50 billion for…

Microsoft Teams Licensing Updates: More Premium Features for Everyone Microsoft has announced some big changes to the Teams licensing model, aimed at making more  advanced features available to everyone along with updates to their Places products set which is now firmly more rooted as a key part of Teams. These changes reflect Microsoft’s commitment to democratising advanced collaboration tools and to keep adding value to their core products without the need for premium licenses to unlock core value.

Microsoft Teams Licensing Updates: More Premium Features for Everyone

Microsoft has announced some big changes to the Teams licensing model, aimed at making more  advanced features available to everyone along with updates to their Places products set which is now firmly more rooted as a key part…

M365 Copilot Image Generation Levels Up, and Video Summaries are coming to Copilot Notebooks

Microsoft has kicked off 2026 with two significant enhancements to Microsoft 365 Copilot - both providing a clear signal to how improvements in multi-media creation in AI will support creativity,…

Satya Nadella’s Call for an “AI Reset” – What Business Leaders Must Prioritise in 2026 Following Satya Nadella's looking forward to 2026 post, this blog explores the detail behind it and why 2026 must move beyond AI slop and shift toward trusted, outcome‑driven AI projects and systems that deliver real organisational value rather than just re-writing docs and emails!

Satya Nadella’s Call for an “AI Reset” – What Business Leaders Must Prioritise in 2026

Following Satya Nadella's looking forward to 2026 post, this blog explores the detail behind it and why 2026 must move beyond AI slop and shift toward trusted, outcome‑driven AI projects and systems that deliver…

What is Copilot Checkout? Microsoft and PayPal’s new AI-Powered Commerce Experience. Microsoft and PayPal have officially joined forces to launch Copilot Checkout, a groundbreaking integration that redefines the online shopping experience. This collaboration merges Microsoft’s conversational AI capabilities with PayPal’s trusted payment infrastructure, creating a seamless journey from product discovery to purchase all within the Copilot interface on Windows, app and the Web. Intelligent Discovery Meets Trusted Payments Copilot Checkout will allows users to browse, evaluate, and complete purchases (check out) directly from within Microsoft Copilot experience, eliminating the need to switch between different apps, devices or websites.

What is Copilot Checkout? Microsoft and PayPal’s new AI-Powered Commerce Experience.

Microsoft and PayPal have officially joined forces to launch Copilot Checkout, a groundbreaking integration that redefines the online shopping experience. This collaboration merges Microsoft’s conversational AI…

What is Copilot Real Talk Mode? And how to use it.

Back at the "Fall update in October", Microsoft announced that a new talk mode called "Real Talk" was coming to Copilot. This has been available in the US for a while in preview but is now available in the UK. This (currently) optional chat mode…

Copilot gets free GPT‑5.2 upgrade with “Smart Plus” mode Microsoft has begun rolling out GPT‑5.2 across Copilot on the web, Windows, and mobile as a free upgrade. It sits alongside GPT‑5.1 rather than replacing it, giving users a clear choice between speed and deeper reasoning. GPT‑5.2 is described as OpenAI’s strongest model series so far, designed to accelerate real work: building spreadsheets and presentations, writing and reviewing code, analysing long documents, using tools, and working with images.

Copilot gets free GPT‑5.2 upgrade with “Smart Plus” mode

Microsoft has begun rolling out GPT‑5.2 across Copilot on the web, Windows, and mobile as a free upgrade. It sits alongside GPT‑5.1 rather than replacing it, giving users a clear choice between speed and deeper reasoning. GPT‑5.2 is…

Automatic Alt Text on Copilot+ PCs: A Small Feature with a Big Accessibility Impact

Microsoft has rolled out a useful update to the Office Suite apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint which creates automatic, "on‑device" Alt Text generation for images. This is a great way of helping content become…

Sora2 Generate Video Clip in Microsoft 365 Copilot YouTube video by Rob Quickenden

Here's how you can use @OpenAI #SORA2 inside @Copilot @microsoft365.microsoft.com

youtu.be/yRa2ogqNTqU?...

How to get free security updates for Windows 10 If you are a home/consumer user using Windows 10 - because you are unwilling to, or unable to (due to hardware restrictions) to upgrade to Windows 11, and not able or wanting to buy a new modern PC, this blog shows you how to take advantage of Microsoft's free Security updates for Windows 10 until 13th October 2026. First...head over to…

How to get free security updates for Windows 10

If you are a home/consumer user using Windows 10 - because you are unwilling to, or unable to (due to hardware restrictions) to upgrade to Windows 11, and not able or wanting to buy a new modern PC, this blog shows you how to take advantage of…

GPT-5.2 now available in Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft has just (11th Dec) started rolling out OpenAI's GPT‑5.2 across Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, marking another significant leap in AI-powered productivity. The differences between GPT5 and GPT5.2 provide "a significant upgrade in performance across various metrics". For example, GPT-5.2 has achieved higher scores on benchmarks like ARC-AGI2 and GPQA Diamond which indicate improved abstract reasoning and scientific knowledge. 

GPT-5.2 now available in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft has just (11th Dec) started rolling out OpenAI's GPT‑5.2 across Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, marking another significant leap in AI-powered productivity. The differences between GPT5 and GPT5.2 provide "a significant upgrade in…