5 Microsoft 365 Features Most Businesses Aren’t Using (But Should Be)

Most organisations rely on Microsoft 365 every single day, Outlook for email, Teams for messaging, and Word for documents. But beneath those familiar apps sits a powerful ecosystem of security tools, automation features, AI capabilities, and device‑management controls that many businesses aren’t taking advantage of, despite having them included in their subscriptions.

Whether you’re an SME trying to boost productivity or a growing business aiming to strengthen your security posture, tapping into these hidden features can deliver a transformative impact.

Here are five Microsoft 365 features most businesses aren’t using, but absolutely should be.

1. Microsoft Intune (Device & App Management)

One of the most overlooked features in Microsoft 365 Business Premium is Microsoft Intune, a full Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) solution that centralises control over every device in your organisation.

With Intune, businesses can:

• Enforce security policies across all devices

• Automatically configure work laptops and mobile devices

• Remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices

• Ensure only compliant devices can access Microsoft 365 apps

• Apply Conditional Access for stronger identity‑based security

These capabilities are already included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, but many SMEs simply never turn them on.

2. Microsoft 365 Copilot (AI‑Powered Productivity)

Copilot is Microsoft's new AI assistant built into the Microsoft 365 apps businesses use every day, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and more.

Copilot can help you:

• Draft proposals, emails, reports, and policy documents instantly

• Summarise meeting notes and email threads

• Analyse spreadsheets and generate insights

• Build presentations automatically

• Automate repetitive workflows

Businesses that adopt Copilot early are seeing significant reductions in admin time and a measurable increase in productivity. If you’re not exploring Copilot yet, now is the time.

3. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Defender provides powerful layered protection against phishing, ransomware, and malicious attachments.

Key features include:

• Safe Links

• Safe Attachments

• Anti‑phishing AI

• Automated threat investigation

These tools dramatically reduce the risk of malware infections and email‑based attacks — and they’re included in Business Premium, even though many businesses don’t switch them on.

4. SharePoint & OneDrive Advanced Controls

SharePoint and OneDrive offer far more than cloud file storage.

Capabilities include:

• Granular permissions

• Conditional Access

• Advanced version history and retention

• Teams and Office integration

• Automated Power Automate workflows

Compared to alternatives such as Dropbox, Microsoft 365 offers more robust governance and built‑in enterprise‑grade security, which businesses often overlook.

5. Sensitivity Labels & Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

These tools automatically classify, protect, and encrypt sensitive information.

They allow you to:

• Encrypt documents internally and externally

• Prevent accidental sharing

• Control forwarding, copying, or downloading

• Apply watermarks and security markings

With regulations tightening and cyber‑risks increasing, these features offer a powerful layer of protection without disrupting your staff’s workflow.

Unlock the Value Hidden in Your Microsoft 365 Subscription

Most SMEs are using only a fraction of what Microsoft 365 can do. By enabling these powerful hidden tools, Intune, Copilot, Defender, SharePoint governance, and DLP, businesses can drastically strengthen security, boost productivity, and improve compliance.