Microsoft 365 E7 and Microsoft Agent 365 became generally available on May 1, 2026. That announcement did not create a blanket deadline requiring Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers to migrate. Your next licensing decision should start with your agreement, renewal date and the capabilities your users need.
Reviewed September 6, 2026. This article corrects the earlier migration-deadline framing.
What changed on May 1?
Microsoft introduced E7 as a bundle combining Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Entra Suite and Microsoft Agent 365. Microsoft describes Agent 365 as a control plane for observing, governing and securing AI agents. The launch gives eligible organizations another purchasing option.
The general-availability announcement does not establish that Business Premium stopped receiving security updates or that customers cannot add Business Premium users. Those claims appeared in an earlier version of this article and have been removed. Microsoft continues to offer Business Premium; individual subscription terms and lifecycle notices still need to be checked.
Start with the subscriptions you already own
Record the exact subscription names, assigned and unused seats, renewal dates, billing term and add-ons. Separate Microsoft 365 plans from similarly named Office 365 plans. Confirm whether Teams is included in the specific SKU and region you are buying.
Then group users by job requirements. A person who needs governed AI workflows may justify a different combination from a person who needs email, Office applications and managed devices. Buying the highest tier for everyone can create unused capacity.
Compare complete costs
Ask for a current quote covering your region, currency, commitment and renewal conditions. Compare your existing plan plus the add-ons you actually need against E7 for the relevant users. Include implementation effort and any separately charged agent runtime or connected service usage. A bundle saving only matters when its capabilities replace purchases you would otherwise make.
Check readiness before expanding access
Review overshared information, identity permissions, device management and the people responsible for approving agent actions. Confirm each product’s current prerequisites and availability in your cloud environment. A new license does not correct an existing access problem.
Use a small pilot with a named business owner and a baseline, such as time spent on a specific task. Review output quality, exceptions and actual usage before expanding the license allocation.
Your next step
Our Microsoft 365 E7 readiness assessment helps structure the licensing and governance decision. Start with the free Microsoft 365 AI Security and Governance Checklist, or book a free 15-minute strategy call to discuss your renewal and priorities.
Microsoft sources
E7 and Agent 365 general availability; Microsoft 365 Business Premium; Agent 365 service description. Confirm current Product Terms and your agreement before purchasing.