Microsoft 365 Interview questions
Question
1. What are the main differences
between Microsoft 365 and Office 365?
2. Explain the different Microsoft 365
licensing tiers (e.g., E1, E3, E5).
3. Describe the benefits of using
OneDrive for Business.
4. How can you configure multi-factor
authentication (MFA) for Microsoft 365
users?
5. Briefly explain the purpose of
Microsoft Teams.
6. What are some best practices for
managing SharePoint Online libraries?
7. How can you migrate email from on-
premises Exchange to Exchange
Online?
8. Describe the role of Azure Active
Directory (Azure AD) in Microsoft 365.
9. How can you troubleshoot common
Microsoft 365 sign-in issues?
10. Explain the concept of Office 365
Groups and their benefits.
11. What are some security features
available in Microsoft 365 to protect
against malware?
Simple Answer
Microsoft 365 includes Office 365's productivity apps
(Word, Excel, etc.) with additional services like email,
collaboration tools, and security features.
Each tier offers a different set of features, apps, and
security controls.
Secure cloud storage, file sharing, version control,
accessible from any device.
Using Azure AD, enforce MFA through security
defaults or conditional access policies.
Communication and collaboration platform with chat,
meetings, calls, file sharing, and more.
Use permissions effectively, organize with folders
and metadata, leverage version history and
eDiscovery.
Tools like Exchange Migration Wizard, cutover
migration, staged migration, or hybrid deployment.
Manages user identities, access, and security across
Microsoft cloud services.
Check network connectivity, verify password, reset
password, consider multi-factor authentication.
Groups bring together people, resources, and tools
for collaboration, simplifying access management.
Defender for Endpoint, email filtering, data loss
prevention, and user education.
Elaborate Answer
Microsoft 365 offers a complete cloud-based productivity suite, going beyond document
creation and editing in Office 365. It adds communication (Teams), collaboration
(SharePoint), security (Azure AD), and identity management, providing a comprehensive
solution for businesses of various sizes.
- E1: Basic email, web apps, limited storage, ideal for small businesses or individual users. -
E3: Popular choice for businesses with desktop apps, advanced collaboration tools,
moderate security features. - E5: Robust security, advanced compliance, analytics, and
power user applications, suitable for large enterprises.
- Enhanced collaboration: Share files securely, co-author documents in real-time. - Version
control: Easily revert to previous versions if needed. - Accessibility: Access files from any
device with internet access. - Security: Advanced security features like data loss
prevention and encryption protect sensitive data.
- Enable MFA in Azure AD for specific users or groups. - Set up conditional access policies
requiring MFA based on device type, location, or other factors. - Educate users on how to
use MFA and its importance.
Teams provides a unified hub for communication, collaboration, and project management,
replacing siloed tools like email and instant messaging. It integrates seamlessly with other
Microsoft 365 services like SharePoint and OneDrive.
- Define clear permission levels to control access and prevent unauthorized modifications. -
Use folders and metadata for efficient organization and searchability. - Leverage version
history for tracking changes and restoring previous versions. - Utilize eDiscovery for legal
holds and compliance requirements.
- Exchange Migration Wizard: Simple tool for small migrations (under 1500 mailboxes). -
Cutover migration: Fast transition, all mailboxes moved at once, downtime required. -
Staged migration: Phased approach, minimizes downtime, suitable for large migrations. -
Hybrid deployment: On-premises and Exchange Online coexist, allows gradual
transition.
Azure AD acts as the central identity platform for Microsoft 365, authenticating users,
managing access to different services, and enforcing security policies. It simplifies user
management and enhances security.
- Follow a systematic troubleshooting approach, starting with basic checks like network
connectivity and password validity. - Utilize tools like Azure AD logs and password reset
portal for further investigation. - Consider potential causes like multi-factor authentication
issues or security policies blocking access.
Groups create a unified identity for a team, project, or department, providing access to
shared resources like calendars, mailboxes, and SharePoint sites. This simplifies access
management and streamlines collaboration.
- Defender for Endpoint: Protects devices from malware, phishing, and other threats. -
Email filtering: Blocks malicious emails and attachments. - Data loss
prevention: Prevents sensitive data from being shared outside the organization. - User
education: Regular training sessions raise awareness and teach best practices for secure
practices.

12. How can you configure email
retention policies in Exchange Online?
13. Briefly explain the differences
between SharePoint Online sites and
Teams channels.
14. What are some ways to back up
data stored in OneDrive for Business?
15. Describe the process for creating
and managing Microsoft Flow
workflows.
16. How can you leverage Power BI
with Microsoft 365 data?
17. Explain the importance of keeping
Microsoft 365 applications updated.
18. Describe your experience with any
specific Microsoft 365 tools or features.
19. What are some common challenges
you anticipate facing in a Microsoft 365
administrator role?
20. How do you stay informed about the
latest updates and changes in
Microsoft 365?
Use retention tags to define how long emails are
stored before deletion or archiving.
Teams channels are chat-centric for quick
collaboration, while sites offer structured content
management.
Local file sync, third-party backup solutions, or
manually downloading important files.
Use templates or build custom workflows to
automate tasks and processes across various
services.
Connect to various data sources (e.g., SharePoint,
Teams), create reports and dashboards for insights.
Updates address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs,
and introduce new features.
Highlight relevant experience showcasing your skills
and knowledge.
Demonstrate proactiveness and understanding of
potential issues.
Mention resources like official documentation, blogs,
communities, and training.
- Create retention tags with specific retention periods for different types of emails (e.g.,
legal, marketing, internal). - Apply tags to mailboxes or folders automatically based on
policies or manually by users. - Use legal holds to preserve specific emails for litigation
purposes.
- Teams channels: Ideal for quick discussions, file sharing, and real-time collaboration
within a team. - SharePoint Online sites: Well-suited for structured content management,
document libraries, workflows, and long-term storage.
- Local file sync: OneDrive client automatically syncs files to local devices for offline
access and backup. - Third-party backup solutions: Integrate with OneDrive for
additional protection and features. - Manual download: Download critical files for personal
backup, but not a comprehensive solution.
- Start with existing templates or build custom workflows using triggers, actions, and
conditions. - Connect to various data sources (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Dynamics 365) for
automation. - Test and monitor workflows for optimal performance and troubleshoot any
issues.
- Power BI integrates with various Microsoft 365 services to analyze data (e.g., sales
pipeline in Dynamics 365, project progress in Teams). - Create interactive reports and
dashboards for data visualization and insights. - Empower users to make data-driven
decisions based on clear visualizations.
- Updates patch security vulnerabilities to protect against cyberattacks. - Bug fixes
enhance application stability and performance. - New features improve functionality and
user experience. - Keeping applications updated ensures optimal security, performance,
and access to new features.
- Share specific examples and projects where you utilized Microsoft 365 tools,
demonstrating your competence. - Quantify your achievements (e.g., migrated email
successfully, configured security policies, trained users). - Focus on areas relevant to the
job description and your expertise.
- User adoption and training challenges. - Security threats and data breaches. - Managing
complex deployments and migrations. - Staying updated with the evolving Microsoft 365
landscape. - Effectively communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Utilize Microsoft Documentation for official updates and detailed information. - Follow
Microsoft 365 blogs and communities for news, tips, and best practices. - Attend Microsoft
training courses and webinars to stay current with new features and functionalities. -
Network with other IT professionals and participate in online forums for knowledge sharing.