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Change log

Changes from Microsoft in April 2026

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April 2026

Pricing(6)

  1. SQL Server 2016 ESU: Azure price matches on-premises; Extended Support ends 14 July 2026

    PricingExtended Security Updates, SQL Server 2016 +2 +1

    Microsoft standardises pricing for new Windows and SQL Server ESU offerings. SQL Server 2014 ESUs were free on Azure VMs, but you pay for SQL Server 2016 ESUs there.

    • Extended Security Updates
    • SQL Server 2016
    • Windows
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  2. Microsoft Purview Suite for Microsoft 365 Business Premium: 50% off extended to 1 July 2026

    PricingMicrosoft Purview Suite for Microsoft 365 Business Premium

    The discount was due to end on 31 March 2026. Microsoft 365 Copilot Business bundle offers for customers under 300 licences run until 30 June.

    • Microsoft Purview Suite for Microsoft 365 Business Premium
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  3. Microsoft 365: new prices from 1 July 2026; renew before then to keep today's price

    PricingMicrosoft 365

    The new prices apply in all purchasing channels and come with added security and management features in the commercial suites. Early renewals of Microsoft 365 Copilot Business bundles also keep current prices.

    • Microsoft 365
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  4. Microsoft 365 Copilot: 40% CSP discount from 1,000 licences instead of 1,500 as of 13 April 2026

    PricingMicrosoft 365 Copilot

    The 30% and 40% discounts no longer require 80% information worker coverage or prior tenant activation. The promotions run until 30 June 2026.

    #Microsoft’s announcement

  5. Windows 365 Business: list price drops 20% from 1 May 2026

    PricingWindows 365 Business

    You pay less on new subscriptions from that date and on existing ones at their next renewal, depending on channel and terms. Cloud PCs now stay on for one hour after sign-out.

    • Windows 365 Business
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  6. Microsoft Dragon Copilot: per-user list price falls from 1 May 2026, Switzerland included

    PricingMicrosoft Dragon Copilot

    You pay consumption fees per encounter instead of per note or AI action. The Dragon Copilot Physician Practice offer reaches end of sale on 1 May 2026.

    • Microsoft Dragon Copilot
    #Microsoft’s announcement

Licensing(2)

  1. Windows Server and SQL Server: CSP subscriptions gain License Mobility from 1 April 2026

    LicensingWindows Server, SQL Server +1

    Subscriptions under the Microsoft Customer Agreement now carry rights equal to Software Assurance, so you can run eligible workloads in shared environments and with authorised outsourcers. It applies automatically; CSP perpetual licences are excluded.

    • Windows Server
    • SQL Server
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  2. Microsoft 365 E7: in CSP from 1 May 2026 with launch discounts of 10–15% until 31 December 2026

    LicensingMicrosoft 365 E7, Microsoft 365 E5 +4 +3

    The suite combines Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft Entra Suite, Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Agent 365 on monthly, one- and three-year terms. You get 10% off one-year terms from 10 licences, 15% from 100, and 15% off three-year terms from 300.

    #Microsoft’s announcement

Products & features(1)

  1. Microsoft Teams Premium and Microsoft Teams Events: corrected SKU names on the May 2026 price list

    Products & featuresMicrosoft Teams Premium, Microsoft Teams Events +1

    Education, Government and Non-profit SKUs get fixed names, for example Teams Premium becomes Microsoft Teams Premium. Prices, terms, IDs, service plans and eligibility stay the same, so you need not act.

    #Microsoft’s announcement

Retirements(1)

  1. Office LTSC 2021, Project LTSC 2021 and Visio LTSC 2021: support ends 13 October 2026

    RetirementsOffice LTSC 2021, Project LTSC 2021 +2 +1

    After that date you get no updates, security fixes or support. Microsoft names Microsoft 365 suites, Planner and Project Plan 3 and Visio Plan 2 as replacements, or the LTSC 2024 versions without cloud.

    • Office LTSC 2021
    • Project LTSC 2021
    • Visio LTSC 2021
    #Microsoft’s announcement

  1. Microsoft 365 roadmap: 101 features planned for general availability this month: 81 launched, 8 rolling out, 12 in development

    Most features: Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365) (32) · Microsoft Purview (23) · Microsoft Teams (21) · PowerPoint (12) · Microsoft Viva (11)

    Open the Microsoft 365 roadmap

Source: Microsoft Partner Center announcements, April 2026

What next?

Model it for your organisationEnter your headcount and see the cost at Microsoft’s Swiss list prices, with a check for gaps and overlaps.Open the licence modeller →Find a Swiss IT partner162 Swiss IT partners that sell Microsoft licences. Filter by canton, language and product.Browse IT partners →

ClearSource summarises Microsoft’s announcements in its own words and links each one to the original. Announcements that only concern Microsoft’s partners (partner programmes, tools, incentives) are left out. Prices are Microsoft’s public list prices for Switzerland in CHF, excl. VAT.