(Updated) Microsoft Viva: Transition to VFAM-based exclusion management

Message Center ID: MC1188597
Microsoft Viva
Stay Informed
Feature update User impact Admin impact
December 2025 January 2026

Summary

Starting January 2026, Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions will be managed via Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of list-based methods. Existing exclusions will migrate automatically, with no admin action needed. Admins should prepare by informing teams and reviewing settings once VFAM is live.

Details

Updated December 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction:]

We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early December 2025, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This new approach lets admins create user-, group-, or tenant-level policies to exclude users from all Viva Insights measurement (Copilot Dashboard, Advanced Insights, Organizational Insights), using the same scalable policy framework as other Viva features.

[When this will happen:]

The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early January 2026 (previously early December 2025). Exact rollout dates may vary by region.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: Admins managing Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions.

What will happen:

  • Existing exclusion lists will be automatically migrated to VFAM; no admin action is required.
  • Users already excluded will remain excluded across all Viva Insights experiences.
  • VFAM will become the default and only method for managing exclusions.
  • Admins will use VFAM policies to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level.
  • The exclusion behavior remains unchanged; only the configuration method is updated.

Screenshot - Viva Feature Access Management feature for Exclusion management:

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

  • No immediate action is required.
  • Inform your Viva admins about the upcoming change.
  • Once VFAM is live, review your exclusion settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center (under Viva Insights).
  • Use the VFAM policy interface for any future updates.

Learn more about VFAM access: Control access to features in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

December 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM Updated
Title
Previous
Microsoft Viva: Transition to VFAM-based exclusion management
New
(Updated) Microsoft Viva: Transition to VFAM-based exclusion management
Summary
Previous
Starting December 2025, Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics user exclusions will shift from list-based management to Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies. Existing exclusions migrate automatically; admins will use VFAM for future exclusions. No immediate action is needed, but admins should prepare for this update.
New
Starting January 2026, Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions will be managed via Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of list-based methods. Existing exclusions will migrate automatically, with no admin action needed. Admins should prepare by informing teams and reviewing settings once VFAM is live.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-11-21T00:16:11.113Z
New
2025-12-05T17:39:54.213Z
Tags
Previous
Feature update,User impact,Admin impact
New
Updated message,Feature update,User impact,Admin impact
Body Content
Previous

[Introduction:]

We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early December 2025, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This new approach lets admins create user-, group-, or tenant-level policies to exclude users from all Viva Insights measurement (Copilot Dashboard, Advanced Insights, Organizational Insights), using the same scalable policy framework as other Viva features.

[When this will happen:]

The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early December 2025. Exact rollout dates may vary by region.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: Admins managing Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions.

What will happen:

  • Existing exclusion lists will be automatically migrated to VFAM; no admin action is required.
  • Users already excluded will remain excluded across all Viva Insights experiences.
  • VFAM will become the default and only method for managing exclusions.
  • Admins will use VFAM policies to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level.
  • The exclusion behavior remains unchanged; only the configuration method is updated.

Screenshot - Viva Feature Access Management feature for Exclusion management:

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

  • No immediate action is required.
  • Inform your Viva admins about the upcoming change.
  • Once VFAM is live, review your exclusion settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center (under Viva Insights).
  • Use the VFAM policy interface for any future updates.

Learn more about VFAM access: Control access to features in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated December 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction:]

We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early December 2025, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This new approach lets admins create user-, group-, or tenant-level policies to exclude users from all Viva Insights measurement (Copilot Dashboard, Advanced Insights, Organizational Insights), using the same scalable policy framework as other Viva features.

[When this will happen:]

The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early January 2026 (previously early December 2025). Exact rollout dates may vary by region.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: Admins managing Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions.

What will happen:

  • Existing exclusion lists will be automatically migrated to VFAM; no admin action is required.
  • Users already excluded will remain excluded across all Viva Insights experiences.
  • VFAM will become the default and only method for managing exclusions.
  • Admins will use VFAM policies to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level.
  • The exclusion behavior remains unchanged; only the configuration method is updated.

Screenshot - Viva Feature Access Management feature for Exclusion management:

user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

  • No immediate action is required.
  • Inform your Viva admins about the upcoming change.
  • Once VFAM is live, review your exclusion settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center (under Viva Insights).
  • Use the VFAM policy interface for any future updates.

Learn more about VFAM access: Control access to features in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

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