(Updated) App Bar changes with the new SharePoint experience

Updated May 6, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

We are introducing a reimagined SharePoint experience that simplifies how users discover knowledge, publish content, and build solutions. As part of this update, the App Bar plays a key role in helping users navigate the new experience.

You are receiving this message because your tenant may have previously disabled the SharePoint app bar. With the upcoming rollout of the new SharePoint experience, the app bar can no longer be disabled and will be automatically enabled.

Before the new experience rolls out broadly, it is available now as a public preview. During the preview period, administrators can enable the experience for their tenant to evaluate the changes and prepare users. When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant. Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period.

[When this will happen:]

• Public Preview: We had started rolling out since early March 2026 and expect to complete by late April 2026.
• Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early May 2026 (previously late April) and expect to complete by mid-May 2026 (previously early May).
• General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-June 2026 (previously early May) and expect to complete by mid-July 2026 (previously late May).

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected:

• Administrators who previously disabled the SharePoint App Bar at the tenant level.

What will happen:

• The SharePoint App Bar will be visible by default as part of the new SharePoint experience.



• Any existing admin configuration that disabled the App Bar will no longer be honored.
• The App Bar experience is consistent across SharePoint sites once the new experience is enabled.
• No changes are required to existing SharePoint content, permissions, or navigation structures.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• No admin action is required.
• You can opt in to the preview to try the new App Bar experience.
  • When enabled during preview, the experience applies to all users in the tenant.
  • Users may opt out of the new experience during the preview period.
  • Learn more: Enable the new SharePoint experience (preview) | Microsoft Learn.
• Consider notifying users and helpdesk teams that the App Bar will appear automatically, even if it was previously disabled.
• Review internal documentation or training materials that reference a disabled App Bar or legacy SharePoint navigation.

Learn more: SharePoint app bar | Microsoft Support. 

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.