Microsoft Mechanics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Choosing the right Virtual Machine on Azure Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

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 when needed.

► QUICK LINKS:

00:00 - Azure Virtual Machines 01:12 - Decode Azure VM Names 01:28 - Right-Size with Azure Migrate 02:15 - B series 02:45 - D series 03:23 - E series 04:14 - F series 04:29 - L series 05:01 - M series 05:23 - Constrained vCPU VMs 05:49 - H series 06:20 - N series 06:55 - Azure Boost 07:24 - Confidential VMs & Deploying your VMs 08:28 - Wrap up

► Link References

Get started at https://aka.ms/VMAzure

Azure VM naming conventions at https://aka.ms/VMnames

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Build autonomous agents in Copilot Studio | Your MCPs, your models & multi-agent Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

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:

00:00 - Build an agent with Microsoft Copilot Studio

00:41 - Automate project planning

01:22 - How agents work 02:47 - Define tools and triggers

03:58 - Model Context Protocol (MCP)

05:44 - Use prompt tools to auto-create key docs

06:22 - Choose the right model

07:13 - Test your agent

08:08 - Wrap up

► Link References

To get started building your own agents go to https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com

Check out our lab at https://aka.ms/MCSMCPLab

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

New data lake in Microsoft Sentinel Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

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:

00:00 - Microsoft Sentinel Data Lake

01:49 - Data Management

02:46 - Table Management

03:36 - Data Lake exploration

04:17 - Advanced Hunting

05:23 - Query retention data

06:16 - Automate threat detection

07:18 - Move from reactive to predictive

08:50 - Wrap up

► Link References

Check out https://aka.ms/SentinelDataLake

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

New Surface Laptop 5G for Business, Copilot+ PC Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

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 Lake exploration

04:17 - Advanced Hunting

05:23 - Query retention data

06:16 - Automate threat detection

07:18 - Move from reactive to predictive

08:50 - Wrap up

► Link References

Check out https://surface.com/business

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

NEW Conditional Access Optimization Agent in Microsoft Entra + Security Copilot in Entra updates Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

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 insights and automation.

► QUICK LINKS:

00:00 - Microsoft Entra with Security Copilot

01:26 - Conditional Access Optimization Agent

03:35 - Investigate risky users

05:49 - Investigate risky apps

07:34 - Personalized security posture recommendations

08:20 - Wrap up

► Link References

Check out https://aka.ms/SecurityCopilotAgentsinMicrosoftEntra

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

How SharePoint Embedded works and how to build AI apps on it Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

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 augmented generation (RAG) or bring your own models to create intelligent, secure solutions that reason over your business content, support real-time co-authoring, and scale with granular permissions and storage control.

Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director, shares how to build intelligent, secure solutions that integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365 content and services.

► QUICK LINKS:

00:00 - Keep content secure & compliant without moving it

01:21 - Build fully custom experiences

02:11 - Use built-in vector indexing and RAG

02:55 - Use your models with Copilot's vector search

04:34 - How it works

05:23 - How the app is built

06:19 - Microsoft Copilot retrieval API

06:58 - Security and compliance

08:02 - Wrap up

► Link References

Build your first agent at https://aka.ms/SPEAgent

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Secure your AI apps with user-context-aware controls | Microsoft Purview SDK Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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:

00:00 - Microsoft Purview controls for developers

00:16 - AI app protected by Purview

02:23 - User context aware

03:08 - Prevent data oversharing

04:15 - Behind the app

05:17 - API interactions

06:50 - Data security admin AI app protection

07:26 - Monitor and Govern AI Interactions

08:30 - Wrap up

► Link References

Check out https://aka.ms/MicrosoftPurviewSDK Microsoft Purview API Explorer at https://github.com/microsoft/purview-api-samples/

For the Microsoft Purview Chat App go to https://github.com/johnea-chva/purview-chat

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Microsoft Intune data-driven management | Device Query & Copilot Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

Jeremy Chapman, Director of Microsoft 365, shares how to stay ahead of potential issues and keep endpoints running smoothly.

► QUICK LINKS:

00:00 - Optimize Intune

01:22 - Advanced Analytics

02:24 - On-demand analytics

03:55 - Multi-Device Query

04:43 - Single Device Query

05:45 - Vulnerability Remediation Agent

07:57 - Copilot in Intune

09:18 - Wrap up

► Link References

Get started at https://aka.ms/CopilotinIntune

Check out Device Query at https://aka.ms/DeviceQueryinIntune

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Introducing Microsoft Purview Alert Triage Agents for Data Loss Prevention & Insider Risk Management Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

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

01:54 - Customize Agents

03:32 - View prioritized alerts

05:17 - Calibrate Agent Behavior with Feedback

06:38 - Track Agent Performance and Usage

07:34 - Wrap up

► Link References

Check out https://aka.ms/PurviewTriageAgents

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Fix Identity Sprawl + Optimize Microsoft Entra Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

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

02:11 - Enforce multifactor authentication

03:21 - Block legacy authentication protocols

03:58 - Apply risk-based Conditional Access

04:44 - Identity sprawl

05:46 - Fix account sprawl

08:06 - Microsoft 365 group sprawl

09:36 - Devices

10:33 - Wrap up

► Link References

Watch part one of our Microsoft Entra Beginner's Tutorial series at https://aka.ms/EntraBeginnerMechanics

Check out https://aka.ms/MicrosoftEntraRecommendations

► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics?

As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft.

• Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries

• Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog

• Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast

► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social:

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics

• Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/

• Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/

• Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics