Microsoft has introduced a change to the Microsoft 365 Apps update model by unifying the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel and the Monthly Enterprise Channel starting with Version 2606.

After Version 2606 is installed, devices that were previously on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will begin receiving feature updates every month, similar to the Monthly Enterprise Channel. Microsoft 365 Apps will also display the update channel as Monthly Enterprise Channel instead of Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.

What This Means for Semi-Annual Channel Devices  

Previously, devices on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel received feature updates once every six months. With Version 2606, these devices will move to a monthly feature-update cadence.

Organizations that are not ready to move to the monthly update cycle can install Version 2508 instead of Version 2606.

Version 2508 will remain supported only until September 8, 2026.

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For automatic patching of Microsoft 365 Apps configured on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, Version 2508 will be detected as the applicable update.

This allows organizations to temporarily remain on the existing Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel update cycle.

Customers who want to move to Version 2606 and adopt the monthly update cadence can manually deploy the corresponding patch from the Supported Patches view.

Administrators are advised to review their Microsoft 365 update policies and deployment configurations before moving to Version 2606.

For more information, refer to:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/updates/unified-update-channels