Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Copilot, and Azure hit by widespread outage

windowscentral.com Nov 12, 2026

Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Copilot, and Azure hit by widespread outage

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 12, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The piece profiles Sean Endicott, a seasoned Windows Central journalist who has covered Microsoft’s software, hardware, and AI developments since 2017. Endicott, a first‑class Broadcast Journalism graduate, has authored over a thousand articles, including daily news, feature pieces, and the weekly Windows Wrap column that curates the week’s key stories. His reporting spans Windows updates, Surface launches, Microsoft 365 changes, and the company’s AI initiatives. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award in 2024.

💡 Why It Matters

· Endicott’s deep, consistent coverage provides readers with reliable, context‑rich insights into Microsoft’s evolving ecosystem, helping businesses and consumers navigate rapid tech shifts.

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Outlook goes down as Microsoft 365 users report widespread issues

On November 12, Microsoft Outlook experienced a widespread outage that left over 125,000 users in the Americas and beyond unable to access Exchange Online mailboxes. The disruption affected desktop, web, and mobile clients, with users reporting infinite loading screens and complete account lockouts. Microsoft’s 365 Status account attributed the failure to Exchange Online, noting authentication and connection method issues. Engineers are working to resolve the server‑side bug, but no definitive fix timeline has been announced.

💡 The outage exposed a critical vulnerability in Microsoft’s core email infrastructure, underscoring the fragility of cloud‑based productivity services that millions rely on daily.

ign.com · Nov 12

Fable Drops Four Minutes of New Gameplay

Xbox released a four‑minute gameplay clip of the long‑awaited Fable, showcasing swordplay, ranged attacks, and magic‑based moves. The footage, shared by CEO Asha Sharma, was shot on PC with ultra graphics and ends with the protagonist discovering a sinister tomb. Fable, developed by Playground Games, is delayed to February 23 to avoid clashing with other releases and to give it a stronger launch window. The title will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.

💡 The clip signals Microsoft’s push to diversify its AAA portfolio beyond shooters, positioning Fable as a potential flagship RPG that could reshape the console’s competitive edge.

gamesradar.com · Nov 12

21 more Xbox games come to PC, including TimeSplitters 2 and The…

To mark Xbox’s 25th anniversary, Microsoft added 21 more original‑Xbox titles to its PC backwards‑compatibility lineup, bringing the total to 25 games. The new batch is dominated by LucasArts releases, including several Star Wars entries, as well as obscure titles such as Secret Weapons Over Normandy and Thrillville. Familiar franchises like Battlefront 2, Jedi Outcast and Knights of the Old Republic also appear, despite already having native PC versions. The list features a poorly received Xbox port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, which remains inferior to its mod‑friendly PC counterpart. The most noteworthy additions are TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, the only games in the set that have never been officially released for PC. Fans now have a legal path to replay these cult classics.

💡 Bringing TimeSplitters to PC finally satisfies demand for a long‑awaited franchise revival, giving players direct access without emulation compromises.

windowscentral.com · Nov 12

Xbox adds more OG console games to PC, including Knights of the…

Microsoft announced that the Xbox Game Pass for PC will now include several classic Xbox titles, notably the critically acclaimed Knights of the Old Republic. The update adds achievements for these games, allowing players to earn trophies on PC that were previously exclusive to the console. The expansion is part of a broader effort to enrich the Game Pass library with nostalgic, high‑profile titles, aiming to attract both long‑time fans and new subscribers. The move also underscores Microsoft’s strategy to unify its gaming ecosystem across platforms.

💡 By bringing iconic console exclusives to PC with full trophy support, Microsoft deepens Game Pass’s appeal, encouraging cross‑platform loyalty and expanding its subscriber base.

windowscentral.com · Nov 12

Microsoft confirms an Outlook bug caused emails to bounce instead of reaching…

Sean Endicott, a seasoned Windows Central journalist, has covered Microsoft’s software and hardware since 2017, authoring over a thousand pieces on Windows 11, Surface, Microsoft 365, AI, and ecosystem services. He writes daily news, in‑depth analysis, and the weekly Windows Wrap column, curating the week’s most critical stories. Endicott holds a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and brings experience from live production and media. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the 2024 BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award.

💡 Endicott’s dual expertise in journalism and broadcast production equips him to deliver timely, insightful coverage that shapes how users understand Microsoft’s evolving ecosystem. His recognition as a youth football coach underscores his community impact beyond technology.

windowslatest.com · Nov 12

Microsoft wants native apps on Windows 11, but it just praised WhatsApp’s…

Microsoft praised WhatsApp for a “double‑digit memory improvement” on Windows 11, citing lower RAM usage in the app’s latest update. The Windows Experience Blog noted that WhatsApp now consumes about 562 MB before login, dropping to under 500 MB when idle. After logging in, memory climbs to roughly 800 MB, and scrolling a chat can push usage to 1.5 GB. The claim follows a viral report of WhatsApp’s 2 GB RAM spike, but Microsoft provided no specific metrics.

💡 The announcement underscores Microsoft’s focus on optimizing third‑party apps for low‑end hardware, a key factor for users with 8 GB PCs. It also highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing feature richness with resource efficiency in popular messaging platforms.