iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In Tony Redmond’s year-end assessment, the standout Office 365 advances of 2017 were Files On-Demand, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online improvements. The year also exposed weaknesses in governance and communication: Microsoft backed away from a plan to create some Office 365 Groups automatically after user protests, and an Azure Active Directory sign-in change drew criticism for how it was announced. These are Redmond’s judgments about the year, not the results of a comparative product test; Microsoft’s dated records provide separate evidence of its product and security announcements.
What stood out as a success in 2017?
Files On-Demand reduced the need to sync everything locally
Redmond picked Files On-Demand as Office 365’s best new feature of the year. It let users see cloud files as placeholders and download them when needed, rather than keeping full copies of every file on a local device. In his account, it required Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. He also warned that synchronization could add overhead on poor network connections, so the feature’s usefulness depended on the device, operating system and connection.
Teams became a more prominent collaboration hub
Redmond called Microsoft Teams the year’s biggest success and saw its role as a teamwork hub growing. He reported that more than 125,000 organizations worldwide were using Teams, attributing the figure to Microsoft; the Microsoft primary materials reviewed for this retrospective do not independently confirm it. He also described a planned transition from the Skype for Business Online client to Teams. That did not mean Teams would replace email: Redmond explicitly cautioned against that expectation.
SharePoint Online improvements supported work across products
Redmond’s list of SharePoint Online advances included hub sites, additional web parts, document-library threat protection, administration improvements, photo search, data loss prevention (DLP) and integration with Groups, alongside migration tools. He stressed a dependency that could be easy to miss: Teams, Groups and Planner could rely on SharePoint’s document-management capabilities even when users did not recognize SharePoint as the layer behind their work.
#1 Best Overall
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which protects your personal and business information by encoding your keystrokes
- 2.4GHz wireless delivers a reliable connection with up to a 15-foot range
- Optical Technology 1000 dpi provides responsive cursor control
- Snap-in transceiver stows conveniently under the mouse LED optical tracking technology
- Windows shortcut keys provide easy access to commonly used functions Media keys for music and video control
Why did Office 365 feel different from one user to another?
Office 365 was not a single, uniform desktop experience. Microsoft’s Office 365 ProPlus release records distinguished update channels and versions; the Semi-Annual Channel was called the Deferred Channel before January 2018. Feature, security and nonsecurity updates appeared on different dates depending on the channel and release. A capability announced during 2017 therefore should not be assumed to have reached every user or tenant at once.
Compatibility and workload also mattered. Files On-Demand had the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update requirement in Redmond’s account, while a team using Teams, Groups, Planner, SharePoint and OneDrive could encounter several connected services rather than one isolated app. Network quality could affect synchronization, too. The practical experience depended on the release channel and version, compatible clients and operating systems, collaboration dependencies, governance needs, and the amount of data users needed to sync.
Rank #2
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
What security and compliance capabilities did Microsoft announce?
On April 4, 2017, Microsoft announced Office 365 Threat Intelligence and Advanced Data Governance, and said Safe Links coverage was expanding to Word, Excel and PowerPoint desktop clients for Office 365 ProPlus. In September, Microsoft described further security, compliance and migration capabilities. Its September 25 announcement also said, “The new usage analytics dashboard uses Power BI to unlock rich insights about service adoption.” That statement came from Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president and chief operating officer, Experiences and Devices.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThese announcements establish what Microsoft said it was adding or planning, not that every capability was immediately available to every tenant or that the features produced a measured security outcome. Microsoft’s announcements also included elements planned for later availability, so their announcement dates should not be mistaken for universal rollout dates.
Rank #3
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
Cloud services still required security updates
Office 365’s cloud delivery did not eliminate the need to maintain Office software. Microsoft’s MS17-014 bulletin, published March 14 and updated April 11, 2017, said, “This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office.” The bulletin warned that the most severe vulnerabilities could permit remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted Office file. It is a reminder that security announcements and protections do not make users or software immune to vulnerabilities.
What were the year’s most notable setbacks?
The abandoned Groups auto-creation plan raised governance concerns
Redmond recounts that Microsoft proposed automatically creating an Office 365 Group for managers with more than two direct reports, then canceled the plan in May after protests. His criticism centered on governance: automatically creating collaborative spaces can affect ownership, access and administration, not just convenience. This account describes the proposal and reaction as he reported them; it is not a broader measure of user opinion.
Rank #4
- Reliable Wireless Connection: Enjoy freedom and convenience with a 2.4 GHz wireless connection that works up to 15 feet away, ensuring seamless performance
- Comfortable and Versatile Mouse: Designed for both left and right-handed users, the mouse features Microsoft Optical Technology for precise tracking and a scroll wheel for quick navigation.
- Enhanced Security and Battery Life: Benefit from AES 128-bit encryption for secure data entry and a long battery life of up to 15 months for the keyboard, with a battery life indicator to alert you when it's running low.
- Convenient Features: Quickly access frequently used tools with Windows shortcut keys and the Windows start screen key, enhancing your productivity.
- Portable and Practical: The snap-in transceiver makes it easy to pack up and go, while the power switch on the mouse helps extend battery life when not in use.
The Azure AD sign-in change was criticized for its communication
According to Redmond, a new Azure Active Directory sign-in experience affecting Office 365 was introduced on August 1, 2017, with public documentation appearing the next day. He criticized the timing and explanation, particularly amid phishing concerns, while judging the new sign-in itself better than the old one. The distinction matters: his objection was to how Microsoft communicated a security-sensitive interface change, not a claim that the replacement was worse.
Yammer’s place in the suite looked uncertain
Redmond judged that Yammer was losing ground to Exchange and Teams despite engineering and marketing investment. That is his product assessment, not an independently measured trend in usage or market share.
Best Value
- Sleek and Modern Design: The Wireless Desktop 900, designed by Microsoft, features a contemporary minimalist aesthetic with quiet-touch keys for a comfortable and dynamic typing experience.
- Reliable Wireless Connection: Enjoy a plug-and-play wireless transceiver that provides a reliable connection up to 30 feet, ensuring seamless performance without hesitation.
- Convenient Hot Keys: Access your most commonly used functions easily with dedicated hot keys, enhancing your productivity and efficiency.
- Ambidextrous Mouse: Work comfortably with a full-size mouse designed for precise navigation, suitable for both left and right-handed users.
- Long Battery Life and Security: Benefit from an average 2-year battery life for both the keyboard and mouse, along with AES 128-bit encryption for secure data entry and peace of mind.
AutoSave and Focused Inbox brought trade-offs and transitions
Redmond liked AutoSave but noted that it could create more document versions and add work for sync clients; this was personal usage commentary, not a controlled performance test. He also described Focused Inbox as the successor experience to Clutter and expected Clutter’s formal end on January 31, 2020. That date was a 2017 expectation, not a statement of current product status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did the 2017 adoption and revenue figures mean?
Redmond’s December 28 retrospective reported 120 million active users in October 2017 and growth of more than 3 million active users per month, attributing both figures to Microsoft. He also reported that Microsoft had reached a $20 billion annualized cloud revenue run rate three quarters ahead of Satya Nadella’s goal, and said most cloud revenue came from Office 365. These are figures reported in Redmond’s 2017 article; the Microsoft primary materials reviewed for this retrospective do not independently confirm them. They should be read with that attribution, not as independently audited measures.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
