Did Microsoft just take the teams out of Microsoft Teams? “Possibly the biggest change in Microsoft Teams history” revamps how chats work

Did Microsoft just take the teams out of Microsoft Teams? "Possibly the biggest change in Microsoft Teams history" revamps how chats work

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Teams will see a major revamp in the near future that changes how chats, channels, and teams are organized within the app.
  • Teams will no longer have a dedication teams section, instead shifting all text-based communication to the chats section of the app.
  • The new experience will enter public preview this November and be available on the iOS, Android, and desktop versions of Teams.

As an analyst with years of experience observing and analyzing digital transformation within organizations, I have seen countless changes that initially met resistance but eventually became accepted or even embraced. The upcoming revamp of Microsoft Teams is one such change that, while promising several improvements, will undoubtedly face some pushback from users due to its departure from the familiar interface they have grown accustomed to.


Microsoft Teams is about to undergo a significant transformation, streamlining conversations within the application. The revised chat and channels experience consolidates chats, teams, and channels under a unified tab labeled as “Chats” in Teams, effectively merging the previous “Teams” section. From now on, all text-based communication will be found within this new “Chats” section of Microsoft Teams.

To alleviate any concerns, it’s important to clarify that Microsoft is not eliminating the idea of teams within its Teams platform. However, they are planning to eliminate the Teams section within the app when the new user experience enters public preview in November. This preview will be accessible on iOS, Android devices, and the desktop version of Teams.

As an enthusiastic user, I’m thrilled about the refreshed Microsoft Teams! The new onboarding process will guide me to tailor the app’s layout according to my preferences. What excites me most is the addition of customizable sections that can house chats, channels, meetings, and AI assistants. Moreover, there’ll be a default ‘Favorites’ section, which conveniently displays pinned conversations and channels from the current Teams version. This upgrade seems promising for a more personalized and efficient user experience!

Microsoft shared details about the upcoming changes and their release strategy in a blog post. For more specifics on this new user experience, check out the Tech Community post.

As an analyst, I can express it this way: With granular controls at my disposal, I can tailor how my chats and channels are displayed – either individually or together, providing me with a customized workspace. Additionally, the enhanced Teams application now gathers all mentions directed towards me in a dedicated “@mentions” view. This allows for swift action on any flagged items that require my attention.

Tom Arbuthnot, an expert on Microsoft 365 at Empowering.cloud, suggests that this update could be one of the most significant changes in the history of Microsoft Teams. I wholeheartedly concur with his viewpoint and believe that the new user experience may face some resistance.

Microsoft Teams without teams?

In the revamped Microsoft Teams, teams won’t have their dedicated section within the app anymore. This is a significant shift, and it remains to be seen how users will react. Although the new interface offers customization options that consolidate various features, it certainly deviates from the familiar layout many have grown accustomed to.

Change is a tricky thing, even if for the better. I know several people who hated Windows 8 but then got used to the operating system. After years of reluctantly learning the tile-focused interface of Windows 8, those same people were hesitant to upgrade to Windows 10. Even though they liked several of the design elements of Windows 10 more and had previously disliked Windows 8, they had grown accustomed to it. Sometimes, it isn’t about what’s best, it’s about what people are comfortable with, even if that comfort came grudingly.

Did Microsoft just take the teams out of Microsoft Teams? "Possibly the biggest change in Microsoft Teams history" revamps how chats work

Microsoft Teams isn’t like Windows 8 (which is good news), but the underlying idea remains consistent. After learning to navigate Teams, many individuals found themselves using it instead of alternatives such as Slack. Now, they must adapt to another interface since the platform they are familiar with is being replaced once more.

For individuals who like maintaining distinct workspaces, Teams can now offer a setup where chat conversations and channels are isolated from one another. Although this won’t match the current design of Teams, it adds an appealing degree of customization by allowing users to configure their workspace accordingly during the onboarding process or at any later time.

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2024-10-29 17:39