What to expect with the Microsoft Teams desktop change in March

Microsoft is releasing a new and improved version of the Teams desktop application in March 2024. The new app is available for Wayne State University students, faculty, and staff to demo now and will be converted for all users by Microsoft at the end of March. Users are encouraged to try out the new app as soon as possible to allow time to learn feature changes while it is still possible to toggle between the two versions and reduce interruptions to learning and working. Learn how to turn on the updated version of Teams at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/switch-to-the-new-microsoft-teams-2d4a0c96-fa52-43f8-a006-4bfbc62cf6c5.

Updated features

The biggest changes users will notice are faster installation and loading in the new Teams. The updated app requires less disk usage and can be optimized for use across different devices.

Changes include but are not limited to:

Updated notification settings

General appearance updates such as colors and tooltips

Ability to follow another user's presence (including availability)

Ability to select a user's avatar or profile photo anywhere in Teams and view their organization info, LinkedIn, availability, etc.

The People app replaces Contacts in Chat

The OneDrive app replaces the Files app

Find a full overview of changes at learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/new-teams-whats-changing.

Find documentation for using Microsoft Teams at Wayne State at tech.wayne.edu/kb/communication-collaboration/microsoft-teams.

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For support with Wayne State IT systems or services, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at 313-577-4357 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Find FAQs at tech.wayne.edu/kb and follow us on Twitter @WayneStateCIT for instant updates.