Microsoft's free Technical Takeoff event returns in March 2026 with 32 Windows-focused sessions covering security, virtualization, AI integration, and management tools, featuring live Q&A with engineering teams.
Microsoft is bringing back its Technical Takeoff event for 2026, offering IT professionals four consecutive Mondays of deep technical content focused on Windows, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop. The free virtual event, hosted on Microsoft Tech Community, features live sessions with engineering product managers who will be available in real-time to answer questions and provide implementation guidance.
What Makes This Year's Event Different
Unlike typical vendor webinars, Technical Takeoff emphasizes direct interaction between IT professionals and the engineering teams who build these products. Throughout each session, product managers will monitor chat discussions and continue answering questions throughout the week, creating an ongoing dialogue rather than a one-time presentation.
The 2026 lineup reflects months of cross-team collaboration, with sessions organized into four weekly themes that build upon each other:
Week 1 (March 2): Core Windows Security and Business Continuity
- Modern security features in Windows 11
- Windows 365 Reserve for disaster recovery
- NTLM elimination strategies
- Hardware security advancements
Week 2 (March 9): Windows 365 and Virtual Desktop Optimization
- Security updates for cloud-hosted Windows
- Endpoint Privilege Management
- Point-in-time restore capabilities
- Frontline worker enhancements
Week 3 (March 16): Management and Deployment Strategies
- Intune integration best practices
- Windows Autopatch readiness reporting
- App Control for Business updates
- VDI to Windows 365 migration guidance
Week 4 (March 23): Advanced Security and Future Technologies
- Zero Trust DNS implementation
- AI and agentic capabilities management
- Post-quantum cryptography transition
- Quick machine recovery solutions
Why This Matters for IT Teams
The timing is strategic. Organizations are simultaneously managing Windows 11 deployments, evaluating Windows 365 for hybrid work scenarios, and planning for emerging security challenges like post-quantum cryptography. Each session addresses immediate operational needs while preparing teams for upcoming technological shifts.
For example, the March 23 sessions on AI management and post-quantum cryptography directly address technologies that will impact enterprise environments within the next 12-24 months. Meanwhile, practical sessions on migration strategies and management tools help solve current deployment challenges.
How to Participate
IT professionals can:
- Bookmark the full agenda at aka.ms/TechnicalTakeoff
- Register for individual sessions by clicking "Attend" on each session page
- Add sessions to calendars directly from the event pages
- Post questions in advance in the Comments section
- Join live sessions at 7:00 AM PT each Monday
Beyond the Sessions
The event extends beyond the scheduled presentations. Engineering teams will monitor discussions throughout each week, providing ongoing support. This creates opportunities for troubleshooting specific scenarios, getting clarification on implementation approaches, and influencing future product development through direct feedback.
Microsoft emphasizes that community input shapes both the event content and product roadmaps. Questions and challenges raised during Technical Takeoff often inform future technical content and feature prioritization.
Additional Resources
Participants can continue the conversation year-round through:
For those specifically interested in Intune content, Microsoft has published a separate guide detailing the Intune-focused sessions at this year's Technical Takeoff.
The event represents Microsoft's commitment to transparent, technical communication with its IT professional community, offering both strategic insights and practical implementation guidance across the Windows ecosystem.
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