Power Platform Pipelines update: managed environments are no longer optional
Mach es besonders
Starting February 23, 2026, Microsoft will ensure that any environment used as a target in Power Platform Deployment Pipelines is a Managed Environment. If a target environment isn’t managed yet, it will be enabled automatically.
Why this matters
Managed Environments add the governance layer modern ALM needs:
More transparency for admins (usage & operational insights)
Better control for security and compliance
A stronger foundation for enterprise-ready Power Platform operations
What we recommend
To avoid surprises and stay in control:
Review your pipeline targets (TEST / INT / PROD)
Identify targets that are not yet managed
Enable Managed Environments proactively and validate your settings
Important: Managed Environments do not require additional licenses by themselves, but they can introduce sharing limits and governance controls. Review your sharing patterns and environment settings before February 23, 2026.
References:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/alm/pipelines#can-i-ensure-pipeline-targets-are-managed-environments
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/managed-environment-licensing
Key Benefits of Managed Environments:
Usage insights - Weekly email digests with app and flow usage data
Sharing limits - Control how broadly apps and flows can be shared (default: 3 users)
Maker welcome content - Customize onboarding messages and resources for makers
Solution checker enforcement - Automatically validate solutions against best practices during import
DLP policy enforcement - Stricter data loss prevention policy application
Pipelines integration - Required for deployment pipeline target environments (Feb 2026+)
Limit sharing - Prevent apps from being shared with security groups or "Everyone"
IP firewall rules - Restrict environment access by IP address
Customer-managed keys - Enhanced data encryption control (for eligible tenants)
Maker analytics - Track maker activity and resource creation patterns
License enforcement - Automatic validation of user licenses for compliance
Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/managed-environment-overview
