Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)
Hi MGCI members! We have an exciting year ahead of us with many community initiatives around the world. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up next! MGCI Regional Leader Applications are Now Open! We are now accepting applications to become a Regional Leader for the Microsoft Community! This is a volunteer leadership role where Regional Leaders share best practices, connect with community regionally and globally and elevate their own game - and others. The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) empowers Global Microsoft communities with the tools, training, and resources to create impactful events and amplify diverse voices. **Applications close on Feb 12 #CommunityLuv on Social Media We’ve been doing a little social‑scrolling lately and loved stumbling across your moments of #CommunityLuv. From personal wins to meetup snapshots to your reflections about 2025, these posts always make us happy. This month, we’re excited to spotlight a fun update from Microsoft MVP Shari L. Oswald, who’s gearing up to lead her first‑ever workshop at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference. She’s bringing some big enthusiasm - and even a special discount code just for you! Check out her announcement on LinkedIn and give her some community cheer. 🎉 From Community to Stage: Women in Microsoft Tech Looking for amazing women speakers in the Microsoft ecosystem? 💜 The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for community leaders and event organizers. It’s a curated list of talented, knowledgeable women who love sharing their expertise and supporting inclusive tech spaces. Even better - you don’t just have to browse it, you can be part of it. If you’re a woman speaking (or ready to start!) on Microsoft technologies, you can create a profile and get yourself listed too. 👉 Check it out, share it with your network, and help our community grow louder, more diverse, and more connected. Missed our Events in January? January 2026 MGCI General Session: Didn't catch our January 2026 General Session with a Community Overview and AMA or care to watch it again? Check out the recording here. January 2026 Event Training: The MGCI Event Training on Sponsorships and Sponsors is a must see. If you weren’t able to make it, check it out here. Congratulations, and welcome new MVPs! Each month, Microsoft welcomes a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs in January! Need Help to Amplify Your Community Event? If you’re organizing an event and would like to receive some extra support with your marketing activities – the Microsoft Global Community Initiative offers a Social Amplification Submission for your event. Fill out the form for the opportunity to have your event promoted on our community channels (such as LinkedIn, MTC, Newsletter etc.) Mondays at Microsoft Mondays at Microsoft hosted by Heather Cook (Microsoft) and Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft) is a bi-weekly show that aggregates new product announcements and upcoming community events to drive technical skilling and engagement. With deep love for the Microsoft community and very actively involved worldwide, Heather and Karuana take us along on their community journeys. Learn more at https://aka.ms/MondaysAtMicrosoft In the Spotlights: Global AI Community AgentCon The Global AI Community is traveling around the world with AgentCon events, enabling and connecting developers to learn and build with AI together. This week, Switzerland stands in the spotlights in the pictures below with a Keynote presented by Dona Sarkar (Microsoft Enterprise AI Advocacy). In case you are interested to attend any of the upcoming events, check out all the locations scheduled in 2026! 📸 Dona Sarkar (Microsoft), Isidora Katanic (Experts Inside AG | Microsoft MVP), Jose Luis Latorre (Swiss Life AG | Microsoft MVP), Zaid Zaim (Neo4j | Microsoft MVP) Discover Community Events in February There are tons of active communities around the world who are currently working, volunteering, and supporting upcoming events happening next month. We’ve summed up a few of the February events coming up, which you can all find on https://www.communitydays.org – the place to be to find your favorite events! o M365 MIAMI: February 6 , Miami, FL, USA o AICD D365UGME: February 7, Dubai, UAE o AICD MAHDIA: February 14, Rejiche, Tunisia o Global Power Platform Bootcamp: February 20, virtual from Poland o Exchange Summit: February 24-25, Würzburg, Germany o Knoxville Microsoft Community Days: February 26-27, Maryville, TN, USA Join our next General Session on February 17 th Come join us for engaging, interactive conversations with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, featuring voices from around the world. Board Members, Microsoft leaders, and guest speakers invite you to participate in open discussions and knowledge sharing this February. 📅 February 17th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM 📅 February 17th ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM Join our next Event Training on February 26 th Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to attend! All are welcome! February’s topic: Run of Show: What to do the day of the event 📅 February 26th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG Celebrate 25 years of SharePoint with us! Join our global digital event on March 2, 2026 as we look back at SharePoint’s most iconic moments - and look ahead to the next chapter powered by AI. Get an exclusive first look at new content AI capabilities and intelligent experiences that will reshape how people create, manage, and collaborate. Register now: https://aka.ms/spat25 Read the full announcement: https://aka.ms/spat25/blog Join the celebration: Share your stories and memories with #SPat25 Find our MGCI Resources We have helpful MGCI resources available for you such as PowerPoint decks from our General Sessions, Event Training Sessions & Office Hours and other resources to help you run community events such as checklists, how to create a sponsor plan and more relevant tips & tricks. Stay connected with MGCI on LinkedIn With nearly 30.000 followers from around the world, we invite you to follow our Microsoft Community on LinkedIn. Here you can find the latest news, frequent updates, and interactive comments on what’s happening in the community. Sincerely, Your Board Officers Microsoft Global Community Initiative
Copilot Pro - Links Not Working
It's done a great job of summarising a 100 page pdf. Then it's created a powerpoint but when it shows the downloadable link I can't click on it (no way to download it) It's in bold - no right click or any other clicking option - have literally tried everything. Changed browsers, no fix. Cleared cache & cookies, no fix. Many thanks!Announcing the Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026
Your front row seat to the future of intelligent work The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is back April 21–23, 2026, at Loews Sapphire Falls and Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida. This year’s theme — a beacon for builders, innovators, and icons of intelligent work — reflects the momentum across Microsoft 365 and Copilot as we enter a new era of AI‑powered productivity. Across three days, attendees will gain access to 200+ sessions, 21 workshops, and 200+ Microsoft experts and engineers, making this one of the largest and most comprehensive Microsoft 365 learning events in the world. Whether you're deploying Copilot, modernizing your intranet, securing your environment, elevating communications, or building next-generation apps and automations, there’s content tailored for every role and organization. Learn From the Product Leaders Expect big announcements, deep dives, and roadmap insights from leaders including Jeff Teper, Vasu Jakkal, Charles Lamanna, Rohan Kumar, and Jaime Teevan along with additional guests. Their keynotes will explore the future of collaboration, AI, security, and the Microsoft 365 platform — and how organizations can turn innovation into impact. Hands-On Experiences Attendees can get up close with the latest product capabilities inside the Innovation Hub — our Microsoft booth experience featuring live demos, Copilot workshops, and a full lineup of Lightning Talks throughout the week. The show floor also hosts community spotlights, podcasts, interviews, and creator activations. We’re also celebrating a major milestone: SharePoint’s 25th anniversary, including a special celebration and premiere moment that brings the community together to honor 25 years of innovation. Community at the Center Onsite programming includes the Women in Tech & Allies Luncheon, MVP meetups, NDA roundtables, community led meet & greets, and one on one opportunities to connect with Microsoft product teams. Plus, don’t miss the attendee party at Universal Islands of Adventure — always a highlight of the conference experience! Deep-Dive Workshops Those looking for hands-on, immersive learning can join pre and post-day workshops on April 19, 20 & 24, covering everything from Copilot rollout to Teams Rooms, SharePoint, Viva, security, governance, development, and more. The workshop program is designed to help organizations accelerate adoption and build real world capability fast. Join Us in Orlando Registration is officially live. Save your seat and be part of the worldwide Microsoft 365 community as we explore what’s new, what’s possible, and what’s next. 👉 Register now: https://aka.ms/M365Con26 💸Customer discount available: $150 off with code SAVE150 📅 April 21–23, 2026 📍 Orlando, Florida
🌍✨ We’re Now Accepting Applications for MGCI Regional Leaders!
The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) is now accepting applications for our next cohort of Regional Leaders - volunteer community champions who help shape, support, and amplify Microsoft technical communities worldwide. 💡 Why Become a MGCI Regional Leader? Join a Global Network You’ll be part of a worldwide team of leaders, organizers, MVPs, and community builders who support each other, share expertise, and work collectively to help Microsoft communities thrive. A Chance to Step Up and Lead This is more than a volunteer role - it’s an opportunity to: Champion emerging and existing communities Make space for new speakers and creators Help local organizers grow successful events Shape how Microsoft communities operate globally You’ll directly influence the culture of learning, support, and inclusion across the ecosystem. ️Access Tools That Elevate Your Leadership You’ll have access to practical tools and programs designed to help you scale your impact and support your region effectively: MGCI’s global event amplification system Training and enablement programs CommunityDays.org listing + tooling Best‑practice playbooks, templates, and resources Private channels and subcommittees where strategy is shaped Grow Your Platform & Visibility As a Regional Leader, you have a public-facing role representing MGCI in your region. You’ll connect with event producers, help strengthen local user groups, and become a go‑to resource for community leaders seeking guidance, tools, speakers, or Microsoft support. 🧭 What Regional Leaders Do Regional Leaders voluntarily help MGCI empower communities across the globe by: Welcoming & Onboarding Welcome and onboard new members in the region Act as a mentor and sounding board Serve as an onboarding buddy and connector Create space for new voices and emerging leaders Share relevant resources, context, and connections Being the Pulse of Your Region Maintain awareness of nearby events, communities, speakers, and organizers Share insights with MGCI leadership so programming remains relevant and inclusive Help connect leaders to Microsoft resources, speakers, and tools Sharing Knowledge Write 1–2 blogs per year (event recaps, community highlights, insights, or stories) Help amplify diverse voices, regional wins, and local success stories Showing Up & Staying Informed Attend at least 50% of Regional Leader / Board meetings Bring regional perspectives, trends, and challenges to the global conversation Leading Community Programming Contribute to at least one MGCI General Session or Event Training per year (as a speaker, moderator, panelist, facilitator, or content contributor) Contributing Through Subcommittees Every Regional Leader participates in one subcommittee, choosing from: Communications & Amplification Training & Enablement Technology & Tools (CommunityDays.org) Sponsorship Support This is where strategy becomes action - and where your expertise can genuinely accelerate community impact. 🎯 Who Should Apply? You’ll be a great fit if you: Already support or participate in local tech communities Are passionate about helping events and user groups succeed Get energy from mentoring or connecting people Want to elevate your leadership footprint Are excited to collaborate with a global team Believe in the power of community to help people learn, share, and grow 📥 Ready to Lead? Apply Now! Apply here → https://aka.ms/MGCI-RegionalLeaderApplication-2026 This is your opportunity to volunteer and make a global impact while growing your own skills, network, and leadership in meaningful ways. We can’t wait to meet the next group of passionate, community‑driven leaders who will help shape the future of the Microsoft ecosystem. Let’s Learn. Share. Grow - together. 🌱💙 **application deadline is Thursday, February 12th
Moving teams chat history to a new tenant
Hi, My organisation has recently moved our domain to a new 365 tenant and are telling me that my teams chat and channel history cannot be moved in the same way the email exchange has been. Is this correct? Surely there is a way to migrate the teams data across aswell? [you can tell from my desciption that im not an IT expert. I do have a really important project group chat history with a customer team that i really cant afford to lose]
Microsoft 365 office app activation on Citrix published apps
Hi, We have multiple users are experiencing persistent issues with Microsoft 365 license activation while using Citrix with FSLogix for user profiles and Microsoft Office applications published as apps. Users are frequently prompted to sign in to Office for activation, and often encounter the message “Your product is not activated.” Additionally, there are instances of errors occurring during the activation process. Although users can work without issues after signing in, the activation prompt reappears intermittently, ranging from one to several weeks before reappearing. We use M365 E3 license for users FSLogix version - 2.9.8884 Office apps we have latest version on VDA servers. Is there anyone who has faced this issue before?Celebrating Community Manager Appreciation Day - January 26
Today is Community Manager Appreciation Day, and I want to take a moment to shine a bright, well‑deserved spotlight on the people who ensure our communities feel supported, informed, inspired, and connected: our Community Managers. In the Microsoft ecosystem, community managers do far more than answer questions or keep conversations flowing. They are the bridge between customers and product teams. They elevate voices. They create belonging. They help people feel seen. And they make sure that every meetup, every online exchange, every post, every question; adds value, builds trust, and strengthens the fabric of our global community. Community Managers are the ones who: Champion our users and amplify their successes Foster safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can learn and contribute Translate feedback into action, advocacy, and product impact Support speakers, MVPs, new creators, and first‑time contributors Celebrate the wins, guide through challenges, and keep momentum alive Bring humanity, empathy, and heart to everything we build Their work is often behind the scenes, yet absolutely essential to the health and growth of our technical communities, user groups, community events, and product ecosystems. Why It Matters Communities don’t just “happen.” They are nurtured. They are cultivated. They are cared for. When people feel welcome, supported, and empowered, innovation accelerates. Community Managers make that possible. So, this week, let’s celebrate them loudly. Give Your Community Manager a Shoutout Shout out your - Community Manager. The ones who run your programs, initiatives and experiences! Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), Regional Leads, user group leads, forum moderators, Discord admins, event organizers, event producers or anyone who helps keep your community experience strong, if they have made a difference for you, let them know. Drop a shoutout in the comments. Tag them. Tell us what they’ve done that mattered. These acknowledgments mean more than you know. To every Community Manager across the Microsoft ecosystem and beyond: Thank you. Thank you for the care, the passion, the hours, the creativity, the resilience, and the heart you bring to this work every single day. You are the reason communities thrive. You create belonging and empathy and opportunities! You are AWESOME! Happy Community Manager Appreciation Day! 💙Meet the Microsoft Learn experts
The Microsoft Learn Community experiences are supported by technical subject matter experts, which are present throughout our community resources based on their area of expertise. Connect with this worldwide network of experts who have technical and training experience, are passionate about the community, and can offer unique knowledge to help you achieve your skilling goals. Find all the Microsoft Learn experts or join them in one of our learning rooms. Microsoft Learn expert Topic Area André Baltieri Azure Brian Gorman Azure Elkhan Yusubov Azure Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh Azure Jonah Andersson Azure Jorge Maia Azure Kazeem Adegboyega Azure Luke Murray Azure Marcos Nogueira Azure Martin Dimovski Azure Mohsen Akhavan Azure Rodrigo Kono Azure Saeid Dahl Azure Tiago Costa Azure Viknaraj Manogararajah Azure Viswanatha Swamy Azure Vlad Catrinescu Azure Dharanidharan Balasubramaniam Business Applications Doher Drizzle Pablo Business Applications Faisal Fareed Business Applications Goloknath Mishra Business Applications Haniel Croitoru Business Applications Jeevarajan Kumar Business Applications Julian Sharp Business Applications Kirti Prajapati Business Applications Nadeeja Bomiriya Business Applications Priyesh Wagh Business Applications Rishona Elijah Business Applications Arafat Tehsin Data and AI Armando Lacerda Data and AI Francis Msangi Masera Data and AI Dr. Gomathi Srinivasan Data and AI Hugo Barona Data and AI Indira Bandari Data and AI Jackson Felden Data and AI Janarthanan S Data and AI Juarez Junior Data and AI Narayan Solanki Data and AI Razwan Choudry Data and AI Stefano Demiliani Data and AI Usama Wahab Khan Data and AI Abdullah Altaf General Technologies Arash Aghajani General Technologies Ayodeji Folarin General Technologies Douglas Romão de Souza General Technologies Estelle Auberix General Technologies Gulnaz Mushtaq General Technologies Joshua Jones General Technologies Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju General Technologies Renato Romão de Souza General Technologies Shinichi Kawara General Technologies Usman Lodhi General Technologies Amit Chandak Microsoft Fabric Ashraf Ghonaim Microsoft Fabric Chris Hyde Microsoft Fabric David Alzamendi Microsoft Fabric Mehrdad Abdollahi Microsoft Fabric Nikola Ilic Microsoft Fabric Pragati Jain Microsoft Fabric Shabnam Watson Microsoft Fabric Daniel Rey Modern Work Nanddeep Nachan Modern Work Sara Fennah Modern Work Sharon Weaver Modern Work Siddharth Vaghasia Modern Work Smita Nachan Modern Work David Okeyode Security, Compliance and Identity Dwayne Natwick Security, Compliance and Identity Eric Woodruff Security, Compliance and Identity Ibrahima Mbodji Security, Compliance and Identity Raphael Koellner Security, Compliance and IdentityEngineering Without Borders: MVPs and Experts at CognitionX Egypt
CognitionX is a premier seasonal events series happening worldwide and a global community for people who care about depth and accountability in engineering. It brings together AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and software engineering because production systems do not respect silos. Backed by Microsoft MVPs, researchers, and industry experts, CognitionX focuses on knowledge sharing across borders, drawing experts from 35+ countries for practical, technical editions with real-world impact. CognitionX Events are founded and organized by Hazem Ali, a Microsoft AI MVP, Principal AI & ML Engineer / Architect, and Founder & CEO of Skytells. His work sits at the intersection of deep learning and the disciplines that decide whether AI survives production: software architecture, cloud systems, and security. CognitionX Cairo is one edition in the CognitionX Events series. It was hosted at Microsoft Egypt on December 23, 2025. Public announcements around the Cairo edition highlighted a cross-border lineup of 15 featured speakers from 11 countries, including multiple Microsoft MVPs. The topics reflected what modern delivery actually demands: AI alongside cloud and cybersecurity, with sessions aimed at builders who operate real systems. CognitionX Cairo attendees showed up at 9:00 AM even though Microsoft’s office is far from downtown Cairo, which means they didn’t come for convenience. They came because the content was worth the trip and worth the time. That kind of turnout tells you the event hit a real need: serious, engineering-first knowledge that people don’t easily find elsewhere. The event also carried a clear founder signal: a deep commitment to engineering discipline and real production thinking. Hazem shared, “At the next CognitionX AI Conference, we’ll be announcing a new technology designed to let your system evolve and improve itself.” The point was not the headline. The point was the mindset behind it: observe production, connect decisions to evidence, and treat governance and safety as first-class engineering work. Cairo also brought in recognized contributors from the broader Microsoft and security communities. Jamel Abed, a Microsoft MVP and international speaker, participated and later described the room being full early and staying engaged throughout the day. The edition also included experts like Hammad Atta and Ahmed Hussien cybersecurity and AI security specialist known for work in AI governance and agentic AI security frameworks. Impact and Insights Across CognitionX Events, CognitionX Cairo stood out because it respected the audience. The official recap describes engineers challenging assumptions, sketching diagrams, and debating trade-offs instead of consuming motivational slides. That culture is the product: ideas get pressure-tested, patterns get examined, and people leave with clearer mental models they can apply at work. The impact also traveled beyond the technical circle. The CognitionX recap notes notable TV coverage, which helped carry engineering conversations to a wider audience and reinforced a simple message: meaningful AI progress requires depth, discipline, and informed leadership. When decision makers see real discussions about scaling, security, governance, and failure modes, it changes what gets funded and how systems are evaluated. Hazem Ali delivering a deep enterprise AI session at CognitionX Cairo, walking the audience through production-grade architecture decisions across AI, cloud, and security. CognitionX is not a one-off. It is a series that already spans multiple hubs, including editions hosted at Microsoft locations such as Dubai (July 28, 2025) and Cairo (December 23, 2025). For anyone who wants serious learning, the next step is straightforward. Follow CognitionX Events, join the CognitionX community, and attend an edition when it reaches your region. Come with real questions from real systems. Expect clear explanations, not simplifications. Expect AI discussed in context: cloud constraints, software engineering trade-offs, and cybersecurity realities. Join our Community at : https://www.cognitionx.org/en/community That is what CognitionX is optimizing for, and that focus is why the series keeps earning trust from engineers and attention from leaders. Author Bio / Co-Authors Hazem Aliis a Microsoft AI MVP, Principal AI & ML Engineer / Architect, and Founder & CEO of Skytells, and the organizer behind CognitionX Events. Jamel ABED is a Microsoft MVP and Product Evangelist with a passion for developer advocacy. He brings extensive experience in building and nurturing technical communities, helping developers worldwide leverage cutting-edge technologies. Resources https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7410622433864589312/
