Microsoft Mechanics Podcast

Microsoft Mechanics Podcast

byMicrosoft Mechanics

NewsTechnology

Made for tech enthusiasts and IT professionals. Expanded coverage of your favorite technologies across Microsoft; including Office, Azure, Windows and Data Platforms. We'll even bring you broader topics such as device innovation with Surface, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

Episodes(40 episodes)

Microsoft Security Copilot agents
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. <...
Published: Oct 3, 2025Duration: 8m 22s
Copilot now included with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook & OneNote | Microsoft 365 & Office 365
Work efficiently using Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, now available directly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote for everyone with an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription. Summarize long email threads, generate bullet-point executive summaries, create charts, and update presentations—all without leaving your familiar apps. Copilot understands your context, remembers your preferences, and helps you reuse content seamlessly across Microsoft 365. IT admins stay in control while you boost productivity. Enterprise-grade protections, Microsoft Purview, and the Copilot Control System ensure your data stays secure. Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director, shares how with premium features like intelligent data retrieval, meeting facilitation, and sp...
Published: Oct 1, 2025Duration: 7m 10s
New collaborative agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot
The newest agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot users can now act as virtual members of your team, helping you stay organized, informed, and secure while you work. Watch how these collaborative agents partner with you in real time across your everyday apps. Knowledge Agent streamlines SharePoint by auto-tagging files, retiring outdated pages, and even drafting new content so your sites stay current and searchable. Facilitator Agent in Microsoft Teams keeps meetings on track—managing agendas, taking notes, assigning follow-ups, and capturing decisions automatically. Agents in Teams channels summarize conversations, generate status reports, and handle routine updates so projects move fo...
Published: Sep 23, 2025Duration: 9m 39s
Choosing the right Virtual Machine on Azure
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...
Published: Sep 19, 2025Duration: 8m 50s
Build autonomous agents in Copilot Studio | Your MCPs, your models & multi-agent
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:<...
Published: Aug 19, 2025Duration: 8m 36s
New data lake in Microsoft Sentinel
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: ...
Published: Jul 24, 2025Duration: 9m 22s
New Surface Laptop 5G for Business, Copilot+ PC
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 Lak...
Published: Jul 24, 2025Duration: 4m 37s
NEW Conditional Access Optimization Agent in Microsoft Entra + Security Copilot in Entra updates
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 in...
Published: Jul 15, 2025Duration: 8m 52s
How SharePoint Embedded works and how to build AI apps on it
Build AI-powered apps that connect directly to Microsoft 365 content without moving files or compromising security, using SharePoint Embedded. SharePoint Embedded is a fully managed, cloud-based, API-only document management system that lets you securely integrate your custom web or mobile apps, whether built on Azure or other clouds, with Microsoft 365 file storage. It's especially ideal for ISVs building multi-tenant apps because content stays within each customer's Microsoft 365 tenant. Design apps that include Microsoft 365 Copilot and agent capabilities, connected Office experiences like Word, and Microsoft Purview compliance and data protection, all within your own user experience. Use built-in retrieval...
Published: Jul 7, 2025Duration: 8m 29s
Secure your AI apps with user-context-aware controls | Microsoft Purview SDK
Build secure, compliant AI apps with code-based controls that dynamically respond to user context using Microsoft Purview for AI app developers. With built-in protections, prevent data leaks, block unsafe prompts, and avoid oversharing without rewriting your app. As a developer, focus on innovation while meeting evolving security and compliance requirements. And as a security admin, gain full visibility into AI data interactions, user activity, and policy enforcement across environments. Shilpa Ranganathan, Microsoft Purview Principal GPM, shares how new SDKs and Azure AI Foundry integrations bring enterprise-grade security to custom AI apps. ► QUICK LINKS: ...
Published: Jun 26, 2025Duration: 9m 11s
Microsoft Intune data-driven management | Device Query & Copilot
Get ahead of issues before they impact your users by using real-time data and AI-powered insights with Microsoft Intune. Proactively manage and secure all your devices—whether they run Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. With cross-platform analytics, multi-device queries, and in-depth troubleshooting tools, you can pinpoint problems fast and take targeted action at scale. Even without deep technical expertise, you can generate complex queries, identify vulnerabilities, and deploy remediations—all in a few clicks. With built-in Copilot support, daily tasks like policy validation, device comparison, and risk analysis become faster, smarter, and easier to act on. Je...
Published: Jun 17, 2025Duration: 9m 51s
Introducing Microsoft Purview Alert Triage Agents for Data Loss Prevention & Insider Risk Management
Boost data security and automate prioritization for data alerts with Security Copilot-powered Alert Triage Agents for Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention and Insider Risk Management. Surface the highest-risk alerts across your environment, no matter their default severity, and take action. Customize how your agents reason, teach them what matters to your organization, and continuously refine to reduce time-to-resolution. Talhah Mir, Microsoft Purview Principal GPM, shows how to triage, investigate, and contain potential data risks before they escalate. ► QUICK LINKS:  00:00 - Agents in Microsoft Purview 00:58 - Alert Triage Agent for DLP 0...
Published: Jun 16, 2025Duration: 8m 7s
Fix Identity Sprawl + Optimize Microsoft Entra
Strengthen your security posture in Microsoft Entra by following prioritized Secure Score recommendations. Enforce MFA, block legacy authentication, and apply risk-based Conditional Access policies to reduce exposure from stale accounts and weak authentication methods. Use built-in tools for user, group, and device administration to detect and clean up identity sprawl—like unused credentials, inactive accounts, and expired apps—before they become vulnerabilities. Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director, shares steps to clean up your directory, strengthen authentication, and improve overall identity security. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Microsoft Entra optimization 00:54 - New Recommendations tab 02:1...
Published: Jun 10, 2025Duration: 11m 4s
What's new in SQL Server 2025
Streamline your entire data workflow, from real-time change capture to querying across cloud and on-prem databases, without complex migrations or code changes using SQL Server 2025. This adds deep AI integration with built-in vector search and DiskANN optimizations, plus native support for large object JSON and new Change Event Streaming for live data updates. Join and analyze data faster with the Lakehouse shortcuts in Microsoft Fabric that unify multiple databases—across different SQL Server versions, clouds, and on-prem—into a single, logical schema without moving data. Build intelligent apps, automate workflows, and unlock rich insights with Copilot and the...
Published: Jun 3, 2025Duration: 14m 27s
What runs ChatGPT, Sora, DeepSeek & Llama on Azure? (feat. Mark Russinovich)
Build and run your AI apps and agents at scale with Azure. Orchestrate multi-agent apps and high-scale inference solutions using open-source and proprietary models, no infrastructure management needed. With Azure, connect frameworks like Semantic Kernel to models from DeepSeek, Llama, OpenAI's GPT-4o, and Sora, without provisioning GPUs or writing complex scheduling logic. Just submit your prompt and assets, and the models do the rest. Using Azure's Model as a Service, access cutting-edge models, including brand-new releases like DeepSeek R1 and Sora, as managed APIs with autoscaling and built-in security. Whether you're handling bursts of demand, fine-tuning...
Published: May 29, 2025Duration: 13m 6s
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning | Create fine-tuned models to write like you do
Create fine-tuned, task-specific models that write like you by teaching models using expert knowledge, tone, and structure - with reference information directly attached to the models themselves using Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning. Fine-tuning adds new skills to foundational models, simulating experience in the tasks you teach the model to do. This complements Retrieval Augmented Generation, which in real-time uses search to find related information, then add that to your prompts for context. Fine-tuning helps ensure that responses meet your quality expectations for specific repeatable tasks, without needing to be prompting expert. It's great for drafting complex...
Published: May 20, 2025Duration: 12m 16s
Agent management updates | Copilot Control System
Manage the rise of generative AI across your organization using the Copilot Control System in Microsoft 365. Control who can find, use, and create agents, define permissions, approve or block agent deployments, and configure billing models including pay-as-you-go or prepaid options. Get detailed visibility into how agents are used, which users and groups are driving consumption, and how much they're costing you. With Microsoft Purview integration, monitor for sensitive data exposure, track compliance risks, and audit agent activity to stay secure and aligned with your organization's data policies. Jeremy Chapman, Director of Microsoft 365, shares how to...
Published: May 6, 2025Duration: 8m 2s
Data security for agents and 3rd party AI in Microsoft Purview
Stay in control as GenAI adoption accelerates across your organization using Data Security Posture Management for AI in Microsoft Purview. With built-in visibility into how AI apps and agents interact with sensitive data—whether inside Microsoft 365 or across unmanaged consumer tools—you can detect risks early, take decisive action, and enforce the right protections without slowing innovation. Monitor usage trends, investigate prompts and responses, and respond to potential data oversharing or policy violations in real time. From compliance-ready audit logs to adaptive data protection, you'll have the insights and tools to keep data secure as AI becomes a pa...
Published: May 6, 2025Duration: 9m 46s
Unified data access & security with OneLake
Unify and secure your data—no matter where it lives—without sacrificing control using OneLake security, part of Microsoft Fabric. With granular permissions down to the row, column, and table level, you can confidently manage access across engines like Power BI, Spark, and T-SQL, all from one place. Discover, label, and govern your data with clarity using the integrated OneLake catalog that surfaces the right items fast. Aaron Merrill, Microsoft Fabric Principal Program Manager, shows how you can stay in control, from security to discoverability—owning, sharing, and protecting data on your terms. ► QUICK LINKS: 00...
Published: May 6, 2025Duration: 8m 33s
Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 Spring updates
Streamline your day with new, user-focused updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot. Jump into work faster with a redesigned layout that puts Chat, Search, and your agents front and center. New Copilot Search lets you yse natural language to find files, emails, and conversations—even if you don't remember exact keywords—and get instant summaries and previews without switching apps. Create high-impact visuals, documents, and videos in seconds with the new Copilot Create experience, complete with support for brand templates. Tap into powerful agents like Researcher and Analyst to handle deep tasks or build your own with ease. And if y...
Published: May 1, 2025Duration: 9m 49s