Microsoft will use a new unified cloud.microsoft domain for its online apps and services

Microsoft is beginning to reduce their service fragmentation by bringing authenticated, user-facing Microsoft 365 apps and services onto a single domain cloud.microsoft. Consolidating Microsoft 365's user-facing authenticated experiences onto a single domain has several benefits for customers.

End-users will appreciate the streamlined experience, featuring fewer sign-in prompts, redirects, and delays when navigating across apps. Admins will find it simpler to manage allow-lists to keep their tenant secure while enabling users to access necessary apps and services. Additionally, developers will have a better foundation for integration across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This consolidation should streamline development and improve performance of cross-app experiences.

Currently, these applications are scattered across different domains, which can be confusing and inconvenient. So Microsoft has introduced a new unified domain, cloud.microsoft, to serve as a single point of access for Microsoft 365 apps and services.

Under the new system, accessing applications like Outlook mail and Teams will be easier. Instead of going to separate websites like outlook.com and teams.microsoft.com, all applications will be available at addresses like outlook.cloud.microsoft and teams.cloud.microsoft.

By adopting this approach, Microsoft aims to simplify its cloud services and enhance user-friendliness. The transition to the new domain will be a gradual process, and users will not need to take any action during this time.

Microsoft representatives have stated that new services will be the first to be introduced on the cloud.microsoft domain. The migration of existing products to the new domain will occur at a slower pace as engineers need to consider the implications of the process. Currently, Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for the completion of the transition.

Source: Microsoft