M365 Changelog: Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime to be installed on devices running Microsoft 365 Apps

MC242585 – Microsoft 365 Apps is starting to provide new or improved features that rely on Microsoft Edge WebView2. For example, the Room Finder and the Meeting Insights features in Outlook. WebView2 uses Microsoft Edge as a rendering engine to display web-based features in a desktop application.

By making use of WebView2, we can more easily provide your users with Office features that look and feel the same across device platforms. In turn, this consistent experience helps your users to learn and use those features without having to learn the nuances of Office on each device platform.

WebView2 requires that WebView2 Runtime be installed on the device running Office. If WebView2 Runtime isn’t installed on the device, your users won’t be able to make use of the Office features that rely on WebView2.

Key Points

• Timing: April 1, 2021
• Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 70699
• Target: Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime will be installed on devices running Windows that have Version 2101 or later of Microsoft 365 Apps installed.
• Control: Admin center UI
• Action: Review and ensure the appropriate experience for your organization

How this will affect your organization

Starting on April 1, 2021, Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime will be installed on devices running Windows that have Version 2101 or later of Microsoft 365 Apps installed.

Important: 

• WebView2 Runtime doesn’t install Microsoft Edge (full browser) on the device and doesn’t require Microsoft Edge to be installed on the device. 
• When WebView2 Runtime is installed on the device, no change is made to the user’s default browser selection.

Office apps, as well as Office Add-ins, will begin providing features that rely on WebView2. If WebView2 Runtime isn’t installed on the device, your users won’t be able to make use of those Office features and add-ins that rely on WebView2. Therefore, we recommend that you allow WebView2 Runtime to be installed on devices running Windows in your organization.

What you need to do to prepare

To benefit from the new or improved Office features or add-ins that rely on WebView2, no action is required on your part. We recommend that you allow WebView2 Runtime to be installed.

If you need to postpone the installation of WebView2 Runtime or your organization has specific limitations regarding deploying it, you can turn off automatic installation by going to the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center (https://config.office.com).

For more information, see Microsoft Edge WebView2 and Microsoft 365 Apps.

For more information about WebView2, see Announcing Microsoft Edge WebView2 General Availability.