In previous versions of SharePoint Server new features were introduced with the release of new major versions. Those versions would be serviced with new security and quality improvements via monthly Public/Cumulative Updates but only on rare occasions, new feature experiences may be introduced via a Public/Cumulative Update.
Unlike earlier versions SharePoint Server Subscription Edition is an evergreen product. That means there are currently no plans to release another major version of SharePoint server.
This gives the opportunity to provide a more agile approach to how new feature experiences are introduced to SharePoint Server: Instead of waiting for the next major version of SharePoint Server to be released, new feature experiences will now be introduced to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition via Feature Updates on a predictable schedule twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. The feature update will be shipped with a Public/Cumulative Update and will be included in all future Public/Cumulative Updates going forward.
The second such feature update (23H1) has been released today and is included in the March 2023 CU for SharePoint Server Subscription Edition.
Releasing new features for a product which is used by a large number of users creates challenges for IT departments (e.g. users have to be trained to use the new functionality correctly, a change in behavior can lead to an increased number of internal support calls, new features need to be tested against custom solutions installed on the SharePoint farm, …). With the feature updates for SharePoint Server Subscription Edition organizations are given the ability to manage the introduction of new features introduced in a feature update by grouping them into feature release rings: the Early release ring and the Standard release ring. This gives organizations time to train their users and support staff on any new functionality, perform compatibility testing of those new feature experiences with existing customer scenarios, and develop new business processes to take full advantage of the new feature experiences.
See here for more details on the feature release rings.
Below is a list of all new feature released in the 23H1 feature updates and the release ring the feature is included:
| New Features released with 23H1 | Release rings |
|---|---|
| Copy and move improvement in modern document library | Standard release (*) |
| Bulk editing in modern lists | Standard release (*) |
| Column formatting enhancement | Standard release (*) |
| Button web part | Standard release (*) |
| Choose the default site language in the modern self-service site creation pane | Standard release (*) |
| New SharePoint RESTful ListData.svc implementation | Standard release (*) |
| Unified “uber” patches | Standard release |
| Support for SharePoint Framework (SPFx) version 1.5.1 | Standard release |
| New PowerShell cmdlets for Variation feature | Standard release |
| SharePoint Server recompiled with Visual C++ 2022 | Standard release |
| Private key management in certificate management | Early release |
| Support for wildcard host header bindings | Early release |
| Expanded usage of modern sharing dialog | Early release |
| Column totals in modern list views | Early release |
| Enhanced Quick Chart web part | Early release |
| Improved file picker | Early release |
Standard release (*) in the list above means that this feature was available since Feature Update 22H2 in Early release and got promoted to Standard Release with the 23H1 feature update.
As SharePoint Server Subscription Edition is an evergreen product it is also important to consider the functionality which is deprecated and will be removed in a future release.
Three additional features have recently been added to the deprecation list:
| Deprecated Feature/Product | End of Support |
|---|---|
| InfoPath Forms Services Microsoft recommends exploring Power Apps as a potential alternative to InfoPath forms. |
July 14th, 2026 |
| Microsoft Workflow Manager Microsoft recommends to upgrade to SharePoint Workflow Manager as soon as possible |
July 14th, 2026 |
| SharePoint Designer 2013 Customers will be able to continue using Visual Studio to create and edit their SharePoint 2013 workflows after that date. |
July 14th, 2026 |
More details:
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Is it planned to minimize the SPFX gap vs SharePoint Online in the future?
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Yes, that is planned.