Microsoft Mechanics Podcast

Discover innovative ways to transform raw data into stunning visual dashboards and key performance indicators with Agent Mode. Automate complex analyses and create pivot tables effortlessly. The Copilot function can categorize feedback and score sentiment within your worksheets. Experience the magic of Formula AI, generating precise formulas from plain language prompts. Jeremy Chapman shares tips to enhance productivity and drive faster, data-driven decisions in Excel.

Strengthen your security posture by moving groups and users from Active Directory to Microsoft Entra. This gives you seamless access for your teams, stronger authentication with MFA and passwordless options, and centralized visibility into risks across your environment. Simplify hybrid identity management by reducing dual overhead, prioritizing key groups, migrating users without disruption, and automating policies with Graph or PowerShell. Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director, shows how to start minimizing your local directory and make Microsoft Entra your source of authority to protect access everywhere. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Minimize Active Directory with Microsoft Entra 00:34 - Build a Strong Identity Foundation 01:28 - Reduce Dual Management Overhead 02:06 - Begin with Groups 03:04 - Automate with Graph & Policy Controls 03:50 - Access packages 06:00 - Move user objects to be cloud-managed 07:03 - Automate using scripts or code 09:17 - Wrap up ► Link References Get started at https://aka.ms/CloudManagedIdentity Use SOA scenarios at https://aka.ms/usersoadocs Group SOA scenarios at https://aka.ms/groupsoadocs Guidance for IT Architects on benefits of SOA at https://aka.ms/SOAITArchitectsGuidance ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Take control of security operations and act fast on high priority threats with Microsoft Security Copilot agents. Automate phishing triage, prioritize alerts, streamline access reviews, and close policy gaps while keeping full control through natural language feedback and recommendations. Reduce repetitive work, cut through alert noise, and focus on the most critical risks facing your organization. Stay ahead of vulnerabilities and evolving threats by proactively identifying at-risk devices, deploying patches, and optimizing access policies as your environment changes. Build custom agents tailored to your workflows, connecting tools and data to automate your most time-consuming security tasks. Dilip Radhakrishnan, Microsoft Security Copilot Partner Director, shares how to keep your organization protected with Security Copilot agents. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Security Copilot agents 01:02 - Phishing Triage Agent 02:17 - Alert Triage Agents 03:24 - Access governance 04:41 - Conditional Access Optimization Agent 05:57 - Vulnerability Remediation Agent 06:57 - Build your own specialized agents 07:54 - Wrap up ► Link References Get started at https://aka.ms/securitycopilotadoptionhub ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Discover the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, now integrated into popular apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Learn how it simplifies tasks such as drafting email summaries, generating bullet-point documents, and creating charts instantly. Hear about enhanced productivity features that allow seamless content reuse and intelligent data retrieval. Plus, explore enterprise-grade security measures that keep your information safe while IT admins maintain control. Dive into how these tools can elevate your workflow without leaving your favorite applications.

Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot's new collaborative agents function as virtual team members. The Knowledge Agent streamlines SharePoint, managing documents and drafting content to keep sites updated. In Teams, agents help organize meetings by managing agendas and notes while summarizing conversations to keep projects on track. Additionally, agents in Viva Engage enhance community interactions by providing data-driven answers, reducing response times. These innovations aim to boost productivity and collaboration in your everyday work.

Build and run everything from simple web apps to AI supercomputing by matching each workload to the right Azure VM in minutes. Find and know exactly what you're provisioning by understanding the naming format to see CPU type, memory, storage, and features before deployment to match what your app or workload needs. Use free tools like Azure Migrate to right-size and plan. Matt McSpirit, Microsoft Azure expert, shows how to choose, size, and deploy workloads such as burstable web apps, massive in-memory databases, GPU-driven AI training, and high-performance scientific modeling, all with automatic scaling and confidential computing when needed. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Azure Virtual Machines 01:12 - Decode Azure VM Names 01:28 - Right-Size with Azure Migrate 02:15 - B series 02:45 - D series 03:23 - E series 04:14 - F series 04:29 - L series 05:01 - M series 05:23 - Constrained vCPU VMs 05:49 - H series 06:20 - N series 06:55 - Azure Boost 07:24 - Confidential VMs & Deploying your VMs 08:28 - Wrap up ► Link References Get started at https://aka.ms/VMAzure Azure VM naming conventions at https://aka.ms/VMnames ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Build AI agents to automate complex workflows—like project planning and go-to-market strategies—without writing code, all with Microsoft Copilot Studio. Use triggers to launch processes from signals like approval emails, connect to the right data with Model Context Protocol (MCP) for faster, more accurate responses, and coordinate multiple agents to handle everything from task assignments to inventory planning. Choose AI models that fit each job, prompt agents to generate detailed documents, and test their reasoning in real time. Jeremy Chapman, Director of Microsoft 365, shows how to transform repetitive work into scalable, intelligent systems. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Build an agent with Microsoft Copilot Studio 00:41 - Automate project planning 01:22 - How agents work 02:47 - Define tools and triggers 03:58 - Model Context Protocol (MCP) 05:44 - Use prompt tools to auto-create key docs 06:22 - Choose the right model 07:13 - Test your agent 08:08 - Wrap up ► Link References To get started building your own agents go to https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com Check out our lab at https://aka.ms/MCSMCPLab ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Centralize, retain, and query high-volume, long-term security data across Microsoft and third-party sources for up to 12 years using Microsoft Sentinel's new unified data lake. Correlate signals, run advanced analytics, and perform forensic investigations from a single copy of data—without costly migrations or data silos. Detect persistent, low-and-slow attacks with greater visibility, automate responses using scheduled jobs, and generate predictive insights by combining Copilot, KQL, and machine learning. Vandana Mahtani, Microsoft Sentinel Principal Product Manager shows how to uncover long-running threats, streamline investigations, and automate defenses—all within a unified, AI-powered SIEM experience. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Microsoft Sentinel Data Lake 01:49 - Data Management 02:46 - Table Management 03:36 - Data Lake exploration 04:17 - Advanced Hunting 05:23 - Query retention data 06:16 - Automate threat detection 07:18 - Move from reactive to predictive 08:50 - Wrap up ► Link References Check out https://aka.ms/SentinelDataLake ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

The Intel® Core™ Ultra (Series 2) processor powered Surface Laptop 5G for Business is a Copilot+ PC. Integrated Intel® AI Boost supports up to 48 TOPS with Foundry Local for on-device AI inferencing. Stay securely connected with rearchitected 5G design—including six smart-switching antennas, eSIM and Wi-Fi 7—without relying on hotspots. As the first Surface Laptop to feature 5G, it enables enterprise-ready AI features for deeper insights, productivity boosts, and powerful local inferencing wherever work happens. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Microsoft Sentinel Data Lake 01:49 - Data Management 02:46 - Table Management 03:36 - Data Lake exploration 04:17 - Advanced Hunting 05:23 - Query retention data 06:16 - Automate threat detection 07:18 - Move from reactive to predictive 08:50 - Wrap up ► Link References Check out https://surface.com/business ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Troubleshoot identity issues, investigate risky users and apps, and optimize Conditional Access policies using natural language—with built-in AI from Microsoft Security Copilot in Microsoft Entra. Instead of switching between logs, PowerShell, and spreadsheets, Security Copilot centralizes insights for faster, more focused action. Resolve compromised accounts, uncover ownerless or high-risk apps, and tighten policy coverage with clear insights, actionable recommendations, and auto-generated policies. Strengthen security posture and reclaim time with a smarter, more efficient approach powered by Security Copilot. Diana Vicezar, Microsoft Entra Product Manager, shares how to streamline investigations and policy management using AI-driven insights and automation. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Microsoft Entra with Security Copilot 01:26 - Conditional Access Optimization Agent 03:35 - Investigate risky users 05:49 - Investigate risky apps 07:34 - Personalized security posture recommendations 08:20 - Wrap up ► Link References Check out https://aka.ms/SecurityCopilotAgentsinMicrosoftEntra ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics