Category: Microsoft
Category Archives: Microsoft
Available time not showing up on booking page
Hello!
I have been using Bookings for quite a while now. Suddenly there are time slots that I know I have free that are not available when clients go to book. I have checked all my calendars to make sure I don’t have something booking me off and I cannot see a thing. For example, all my calendars show me free next Tuesday but there are no slots available on the booking page in the afternoon? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Hello!I have been using Bookings for quite a while now. Suddenly there are time slots that I know I have free that are not available when clients go to book. I have checked all my calendars to make sure I don’t have something booking me off and I cannot see a thing. For example, all my calendars show me free next Tuesday but there are no slots available on the booking page in the afternoon? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Read More
Footnotes in Word
Following all the standard procedures, I am unable to have Word restart numbering footnotes on each page of my documents. The other options work OK–“continuous” and “restart each section;” “restart each page,” however, causes all footnotes to become “8s” I’ve just spent over an hour with Microsoft support with no resolution to the problem.
Following all the standard procedures, I am unable to have Word restart numbering footnotes on each page of my documents. The other options work OK–“continuous” and “restart each section;” “restart each page,” however, causes all footnotes to become “8s” I’ve just spent over an hour with Microsoft support with no resolution to the problem. Read More
The Copilot in Edge sidebar refreshed during generating answers
Since there’s no history available in the Enterprise version, I’ve experienced the issue of losing my entire prompt, and it’s been a problem since day one. Never encountered this issue in any other LLM products (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Poe…). Just curious if this is “by design” or a known bug.
Since there’s no history available in the Enterprise version, I’ve experienced the issue of losing my entire prompt, and it’s been a problem since day one. Never encountered this issue in any other LLM products (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Poe…). Just curious if this is “by design” or a known bug. Read More
Copy/Convert Excel email list to a gmail distribution list
Is there any way to copy/convert/import a list of 80+ email addresses from Excel to a gmail distribution list without having to go into gmail and type in each email address one at a time?
Is there any way to copy/convert/import a list of 80+ email addresses from Excel to a gmail distribution list without having to go into gmail and type in each email address one at a time? Read More
Join us on May 20th! Office hours session on multiparty private offers
Partners: Join Marketplace Customer Office Hours and invite your customers on May 20th for a deep dive on multiparty private offers in the commercial marketplace. During this session you will learn about:
What is a multiparty private offer and benefits
Common scenarios
How to work with a channel partner
Q&A
Please submit your questions in advance when you register for the event, as pre-submitted questions will be discussed during the Q&A portion at the end of the event.
Watch previous sessions on-demand:
Optimizing procurement
Private offers through the marketplace
Governance and control
Getting Started with marketplace
Actions:
Direct customers to https://aka.ms/marketplacecustomerofficehours or share the attached invite template with your customers
Reach out to mpcustomerofficehrs@microsoft.com with any questions
Learn more about multiparty private offers here: Multiparty private offers (for selling partners) – Marketplace publisher | Microsoft Learn
Partners: Join Marketplace Customer Office Hours and invite your customers on May 20th for a deep dive on multiparty private offers in the commercial marketplace. During this session you will learn about:
What is a multiparty private offer and benefits
Common scenarios
How to work with a channel partner
Q&A
Please submit your questions in advance when you register for the event, as pre-submitted questions will be discussed during the Q&A portion at the end of the event.
Watch previous sessions on-demand:
Optimizing procurement
Private offers through the marketplace
Governance and control
Getting Started with marketplace
Actions:
Direct customers to https://aka.ms/marketplacecustomerofficehours or share the attached invite template with your customers
Reach out to mpcustomerofficehrs@microsoft.com with any questions
Learn more about multiparty private offers here: Multiparty private offers (for selling partners) – Marketplace publisher | Microsoft Learn Read More
Intune | Autopilot | Kiosk Mode for laptops
We have successfully setup a configuration profile along with Autopilot to enable Kiosk Mode for our test laptops. Testing has gone well with one problem, and it’s a big one:
I found that when I brought this laptop to another location, I was unable to get past the login screen to connect to the wifi there. It seems my profile was not cached and I could not get past the login screen to configure a new wifi connection. This is by design, for machines restricted to Kiosk Mode. Is there a way to enable the caching of credentials on the local machines, to allow a user to log in and connect to a new, previously unknown, wifi connection?
I was playing around with script and regedits but wasn’t sucessful. If anyone has a similar configuration and can point me in the right direction, that would be awesome 🙂
Kiosk Mode seemed the way to go for our laptops, if our users only need them to connect to a VDI. They also need to be able to setup a home printer, manage display settings for their external monitor(s), and have access to a web browser to get past capture portals.
We have successfully setup a configuration profile along with Autopilot to enable Kiosk Mode for our test laptops. Testing has gone well with one problem, and it’s a big one: I found that when I brought this laptop to another location, I was unable to get past the login screen to connect to the wifi there. It seems my profile was not cached and I could not get past the login screen to configure a new wifi connection. This is by design, for machines restricted to Kiosk Mode. Is there a way to enable the caching of credentials on the local machines, to allow a user to log in and connect to a new, previously unknown, wifi connection? I was playing around with script and regedits but wasn’t sucessful. If anyone has a similar configuration and can point me in the right direction, that would be awesome 🙂 Kiosk Mode seemed the way to go for our laptops, if our users only need them to connect to a VDI. They also need to be able to setup a home printer, manage display settings for their external monitor(s), and have access to a web browser to get past capture portals. Read More
Sleeping Tabs: Pure Garbage
I’m on XBOX Series X. And I have to say, there is no worse feature on this console than Sleeping Tabs. I do not own a PC, I have to use my XBOX for all my documents/work/study. However, with my tabs going to sleep, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get ANY work done. And with recent updates, there is NO WAY to turn it off. And don’t give me any of that performance crap; this console can easily run Fallout 4 (a game infamous for consuming way too many resources) with all available storage space filled with mods and graphics on max for hours at a time. You do not need to put tabs to sleep to ‘save performance’. In short, this browser is complete garbage due to this so called ‘feature’ that accomplishes literally nothing.
I’m on XBOX Series X. And I have to say, there is no worse feature on this console than Sleeping Tabs. I do not own a PC, I have to use my XBOX for all my documents/work/study. However, with my tabs going to sleep, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get ANY work done. And with recent updates, there is NO WAY to turn it off. And don’t give me any of that performance crap; this console can easily run Fallout 4 (a game infamous for consuming way too many resources) with all available storage space filled with mods and graphics on max for hours at a time. You do not need to put tabs to sleep to ‘save performance’. In short, this browser is complete garbage due to this so called ‘feature’ that accomplishes literally nothing. Read More
Machine Learning/AI Studio VM Quota Issues
Anyone ran into the issue where your subscription has 0 quota for ML/AI?
0 Cores Available
Request quota increase gives a weird error “Could not find Cloud Solution Provider information for this subscription”
Anyone ran into the issue where your subscription has 0 quota for ML/AI? 0 Cores Available Request quota increase gives a weird error “Could not find Cloud Solution Provider information for this subscription” Read More
NEW Applied Skills ILT coming June 14th!
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Note: Please click on image to view full-size. Thank you
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Note: Please click on image to view full-size. Thank you Read More
Teams live attendee question
Hello,
I would like to know what happens if I forget to leave a Teams Live broadcast? Is the admin/producer able to see or hear me after the event has finished?
Hello,I would like to know what happens if I forget to leave a Teams Live broadcast? Is the admin/producer able to see or hear me after the event has finished? Read More
Azure Communication Services May 2024 Feature Updates
The Azure Communication Services team is excited to share several new product and feature updates released in April 2024. (You can view previous blog articles here.)
See this month’s updates:
Business-to-consumer extensibility with Microsoft Teams for Calling
Image Sharing in Teams meetings
Deep Noise Suppression Desktop
Updated Calling native SDKs for Android, iOS, and Windows
Updated Calling native UI Library for Android and iOS
Business-to-consumer extensibility with Microsoft Teams for Calling
Now in general availability, developers can take advantage of calling interoperability for Microsoft Teams users in Azure Communication Services Calling workflows.
Developers can use Call Automation APIs to bring Teams users into business-to-consumer (B2C) calling workflows and interactions, helping you deliver advanced customer service solutions. This interoperability is offered over VoIP to reduce telephony infrastructure overhead. Developers can add Teams users to Azure Communication Services calls using the user’s Entra object ID (OID).
Use Cases
Teams as an extension of agent desktop: Connect your CCaaS solution to Teams and enable your agents to handle customer calls on Teams. Having Teams as the single-pane-of-glass solution for both internal and B2C communication increases agent productivity and empowers them to deliver first-class service to customers.
Expert Consultation: Businesses can invite subject matter experts, on Teams, into their customer service workflows for expedient issue resolution, and to improve their first call resolution rate.
In a world where customers need quick resolution and seamless interactions, Azure Communication Services B2C extensibility with Microsoft Teams makes it easy for customers to reach sales and support teams and for businesses to deliver effective customer experiences.
For more information, see Call Automation workflows interop with Microsoft Teams.
Image Sharing in Microsoft Teams meetings
Microsoft Teams users can now share images with Azure Communication Services users in the context of a Teams meeting. This feature is now generally available. Image sharing enhances collaboration in real time for meetings. Image overlay is also supported for users to look at it in detail.
Image sharing is helpful in many scenarios, such as a business sharing photos showcasing their work or doctors sharing images with patients for after care instructions.
Try out this feature using either our UI Library or the Chat SDK. Note that the SDK is available in C# (.NET), JavaScript, Python, and Java:
Enable inline image using UI Library in Teams Meetings
Sample: Image Sharing
Deep Noise Suppression for Desktop
Deep noise suppression is currently in public preview. Noise suppression improves VoIP and video calls by eliminating background noise, making it easier to talk and listen. For example, if you’re taking an Azure Communication Services WebJS call in a coffee shop with considerable noise, turning on noise suppression can significantly improve the calling experience by eliminating the background noise from the shop.
For more information, see Add audio quality enhancements to your audio calling experience.
Calling native SDKs for Android, iOS, and Windows
We updated the Calling native SDKs to improve the customer experience. The April release includes:
Custom background for video calls
Proxy configuration
Android TelecomManager
Unidirectional Data Channel
Time To Live lifespan for push notifications
Custom background for video calls
Custom backgrounds for video calls is now generally available. This feature enables customers to remove distractions behind them. The custom image backgrounds feature enables customers to upload their own personalized images and use those as background.
For example, now business owners can use the Calling SDK to show custom backgrounds in place of the actual background. You can, for example, upload an image of a modern and spacious office and set it as its background for video calls. Anyone who joins the call sees the customized background, which looks realistic and natural. You can also use custom branding images as background to show a fresh image to your customers.
For more information, see QuickStart: Add video effects to your video calls.
Proxy configuration
Proxy configuration is now generally available. Some environments such as highly regulated industries or those dealing with confidential information require proxies to secure and control network traffic. You can use the Calling SDK to configure the HTTP and media proxies for your Azure Communication Services calls. This way, you can ensure that your communications are compliant with the network policies and regulations. You can use the native SDK methods to set the proxy configuration for your app.
For more information, see Tutorial: Proxy your calling traffic.
Android TelecomManager
Android TelecomManager is in public preview. It is a system service that manages audio and video calls on Android devices. Use Android TelecomManager to provide a consistent user experience across different Android apps and devices, such as showing incoming and outgoing calls in the system UI, routing audio to the device, and handling call interruptions. Now you can integrate your app with the Android TelecomManager to take advantage of its features for your custom calling scenarios.
For more information, see Integrate with TelecomManager on Android.
Unidirectional Data Channel
The Data Channel API is generally available. Data Channel includes unidirectional communication, which enables real-time messaging during audio and video calls. Using this API, you can integrate data exchange functions into the applications, providing a seamless communication experience for users. The Data Channel API enables users to instantly send and receive messages during an ongoing audio or video call, promoting smooth and efficient communication. In group call scenarios, a participant can send messages to a single participant, a specific set of participants, or all participants within the call. This flexibility enhances communication and collaboration among users during group interactions.
For more information, see Data Channel.
Time To Live lifespan for push notifications
The Time To Live (TTL) for push notifications is now generally available. TTL is the duration for which a push notification token is valid. Using a longer duration TTL can help your app reduce the number of new token requests from your users and improve the experience.
For example, suppose you created an app that enables patients to book virtual medical appointments. The app uses push notifications to display incoming call UI when the app is not in the foreground. Previously, the app had to request a new push notification token from the user every 24 hours, which could be annoying and disruptive. With the extended TTL feature, you can now configure the push notification token to last for up to 6 months, depending on your business needs. This way, the app can avoid frequent token requests and provide a smoother calling experience for your customers.
For more information, see TTL token in Enable push notifications for calls.
Calling SDK native UI Library updates
The April updates include Troubleshooting on the native UI Library for Android and iOS, and Audio only mode in the UI Library.
Using the Azure Communication Services Calling SDK native UI Library, you can now generate encrypted logs for troubleshooting and provide your customers with an optional Audio only mode for joining calls.
Troubleshooting on the native UI Library for Android and iOS
Now in general availability, you can encrypt logs when troubleshooting on the Calling SDK native UI Library for Android and iOS. We’ve made it easy for you to generate encrypted logs to share with Azure support. While ideally calls just work, or developers self-remediate issues, customers always have Azure support as a last-line-of-defense. And we strive to make those engagements as easy and fast as possible.
For more information, see Troubleshoot the UI Library.
Audio only mode in the UI Library
The Audio only mode in the Calling SDK UI Library is now generally available. It enables participants to join calls using only their audio, without sharing or receiving video. Participants can use this feature to conserve bandwidth and maximize privacy. When activated, the Audio only mode automatically disables the video function for both sending and receiving streams and adjusts the UI to reflect this change by removing video-related controls.
For more information, see Enable audio only mode in the UI Library.
You can learn more about these updates and Azure Communications Services Communication Platform as a Service in our overview.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Data Protection and Security for Nonprofits with Microsoft AccountGuard
As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it brings with it countless benefits and opportunities for organizations to grow and thrive. However, this constant progression also means that the ways in which adversaries can threaten organizations and their data are also evolving. In today’s digital landscape, it is more important than ever for organizations, especially non-profits, to take proactive measures to protect themselves from cyber threats.
Microsoft AccountGuard
One way non-profits can better protect their organization and data is by using Microsoft AccountGuard. This cybersecurity service is designed to provide an extra layer of protection for high-risk, highly-targeted organizations, including those in the non-profit sector. Eligible Microsoft 365 customers can enroll at no additional cost and benefit from security best-practice guidance, notification of cyber threats, and access to enhanced identity protection features.
This complimentary service offers a suite of features designed to enhance your security posture, including nation-state threat notifications, access to workshops and webinars, targeted response recommendations, advanced identity protection, and a direct support line. To delve deeper into each of these critical features, visit Microsoft AccountGuard.
Free Security Assessment
Maximize the benefits of Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact team, committed to minimizing security risks in your digital environment. By participating in a free security assessment, you’ll receive valuable insights that enable you to better evaluate how Azure and Microsoft 365 can enhance your organization’s optimization, consolidation, supportability, and security.
Microsoft Resources
Microsoft offers an array of learning paths and resources designed to enhance your technical skills and foster a security-conscious mindset, crucial for protecting your organization. Take advantage of enriching courses like the Administrator’s Security Toolkit, participate in Microsoft Security Virtual Training Days, and explore Microsoft Learn Courses available through Microsoft Learn. Discover these valuable resources and more by visiting Secure and Protect Nonprofit Data | Microsoft Nonprofits to empower your team with the knowledge needed to safeguard your data effectively.
How To Access AccountGuard
If you have already been registered and vetted as a nonprofit through Microsoft’s verification process, you can access AccountGuard through your nonprofit portal hub https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/getting-started.
Sign in to the Nonprofit Hub using your nonprofit account credentials.
Locate the dropdown menu labeled “I am looking for” at the top of the page, adjacent to the word ‘Nonprofit’.
From the dropdown options, select ‘AccountGuard’.
Click on the ‘Claim Now’ button to initiate your enrollment.
For nonprofits that have not yet been through Microsoft’s verification process, please proceed at the same link from instruction above and select Apply at the bottom.
As the digital landscape evolves, so too does the complexity of threats facing organizations. Nonprofits, often targeted due to their unique position and potentially vulnerable systems, must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to protect their valuable data. Microsoft AccountGuard represents a critical tool in this endeavor, offering comprehensive, no-cost protection specifically tailored to the needs of the nonprofit sector. By leveraging this service, along with Microsoft’s broader resources and security assessments, nonprofits can not only defend against immediate threats but also prepare for future challenges. In an era where digital security is synonymous with organizational health, taking proactive steps with solutions like AccountGuard is not just advisable—it is essential.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Migrating from BlueHost to Office 365
Hello
Please i would like to know to migrate my emails from Bluehost to Office 365.
Hello Please i would like to know to migrate my emails from Bluehost to Office 365. Read More
New! Teams Phone SMB Practice in a Box
We’ve created a comprehensive Teams Phone SMB Practice in a Box package that consolidates the essential FY24 field enablement resources, offers, and programs for various phases of the customer journey to help you expand your existing Teams practice with Microsoft Teams Phone. Leverage this package to help you build a profitable managed services practice with Teams Phone for SMB.
Download the Teams Phone SMB Practice in a Box package
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Advanced Support for Partners (ASfP) and Premier Support for Partners (PSfP) are paid partner offerings at Microsoft that provide unmatched value through a wide range of Partner benefits including account management, technical cloud enablement consultations, and an elevated technical support experience across the Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform).
Partners in ASfP have higher Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Capability Scores, attain more Solutions Partner designations, and see uplifts across Azure, M365, and D365. View the data and learn more on the new ASfP Impact slide below.
Please review these resources to learn more and consider booking a meeting to speak directly with our teams for a better understanding of the value-added benefits of ASfP and PSfP.
Book a meeting with an ASfP Evangelist
Book a meeting with a PSfP Specialist
Visit the ASfP Website
Visit the PSfP Website
Download the ASfP Fact Sheet
View the ASfP Impact Slide
Stop by the ASfP Partner Community
We’ve created a comprehensive Teams Phone SMB Practice in a Box package that consolidates the essential FY24 field enablement resources, offers, and programs for various phases of the customer journey to help you expand your existing Teams practice with Microsoft Teams Phone. Leverage this package to help you build a profitable managed services practice with Teams Phone for SMB.
Download the Teams Phone SMB Practice in a Box package
—
Advanced Support for Partners (ASfP) and Premier Support for Partners (PSfP) are paid partner offerings at Microsoft that provide unmatched value through a wide range of Partner benefits including account management, technical cloud enablement consultations, and an elevated technical support experience across the Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform).
Partners in ASfP have higher Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Capability Scores, attain more Solutions Partner designations, and see uplifts across Azure, M365, and D365. View the data and learn more on the new ASfP Impact slide below.
Please review these resources to learn more and consider booking a meeting to speak directly with our teams for a better understanding of the value-added benefits of ASfP and PSfP.
Book a meeting with an ASfP Evangelist
Book a meeting with a PSfP Specialist
Visit the ASfP Website
Visit the PSfP Website
Download the ASfP Fact Sheet
View the ASfP Impact Slide
Stop by the ASfP Partner Community Read More
new Outlook has a bug with the “enter an email address to sign in” input box
I have installed the new Outlook using the method described in this page: Deployment overview for the new Outlook for Windows – Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn
When I launch Outlook (new), the initial Sign in window prompts for an email address and when you start typing the address it won’t let you type more than one character. If you click Continue you can then type the full address but you have to do this each time you launch Outlook (new).
Anybody else find this?
I have installed the new Outlook using the method described in this page: Deployment overview for the new Outlook for Windows – Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn When I launch Outlook (new), the initial Sign in window prompts for an email address and when you start typing the address it won’t let you type more than one character. If you click Continue you can then type the full address but you have to do this each time you launch Outlook (new). Anybody else find this? Read More
Designations for Azure Expert MSP
Hello community!
Could you please inform me, if you know, since when the partner designations Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure have been requirements for Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) recertification?
Hello community!Could you please inform me, if you know, since when the partner designations Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure have been requirements for Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) recertification? Read More
Azure Speech To Text Phoneme Detection
Hello, I am working on a very niche speech detection app that Azure has been very helpful for but I still have some large hurdles to cross.
I would like to be able to detect a user sounding out individual phonemes. Right now, Azure’s STT can split up words into phonemes for you but it refuses to provide transcriptions of phonemes by themselves. For instance, Azure will happily translate audio of you saying “la” as phonemes /l/ and /a/, but if you exclusively make the “L” sound with no vowel, azure will not respond with any phoneme data and will continue waiting for more audio. Is there any way to force Azure STT responses to be as granular as possible? I would like to be able detect isolated phonemes even when they do not combine to become a word. I am interfacing with Azure through Unity FYI.
Thanks
Hello, I am working on a very niche speech detection app that Azure has been very helpful for but I still have some large hurdles to cross. I would like to be able to detect a user sounding out individual phonemes. Right now, Azure’s STT can split up words into phonemes for you but it refuses to provide transcriptions of phonemes by themselves. For instance, Azure will happily translate audio of you saying “la” as phonemes /l/ and /a/, but if you exclusively make the “L” sound with no vowel, azure will not respond with any phoneme data and will continue waiting for more audio. Is there any way to force Azure STT responses to be as granular as possible? I would like to be able detect isolated phonemes even when they do not combine to become a word. I am interfacing with Azure through Unity FYI.Thanks Read More
Drive mapping in SharePoint
Hello
Please i need your help on this issue.
I would like to know how to have my SharePoint drives mapped in File explorer
Hello Please i need your help on this issue. I would like to know how to have my SharePoint drives mapped in File explorer Read More
Is it Possible to require appointments to be on the hour?
When my calendar has an appointment from 10-10:30, the Bookings page will make an appointment available to clients from 10:30-11:30, but I want to make every appointment begin at the top of the hour even if I had a opening from 10:30-11. Is this possible?
When my calendar has an appointment from 10-10:30, the Bookings page will make an appointment available to clients from 10:30-11:30, but I want to make every appointment begin at the top of the hour even if I had a opening from 10:30-11. Is this possible? Read More