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Important Changes and Updates – Transitioning from Classic to New Microsoft Teams
Commencing on March 31, 2024, a seamless transition awaits users currently utilizing the classic Teams client. This transition encompasses the smooth installation of the new Teams client, followed by the subsequent uninstallation of the classic Teams client. The shift to the New Teams platform denotes a notable upgrade, promising users a swifter, simpler, and more flexible experience.
Key Features of New Microsoft Teams
The reimagined Teams desktop client represents a substantial transformation, placing a premium on performance. This overhaul translates into expedited installation and loading times, providing users with a more efficient experience when launching the application and joining meetings. Consequently, users can redirect their focus towards crucial business tasks. An additional merit of the new Teams lies in its optimal utilization of device resources, resulting in decreased memory and disk usage. This not only enhances efficiency but also fosters collaboration by dismantling silos. The platform achieves this by seamlessly integrating users from various accounts or tenants into a unified space, offering heightened extensibility and scalability.
Comparing Classic Teams to New Teams:
Classic Teams Features |
New Teams |
Allow users to follow another user’s presence, then notify them of availability |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in new Teams to quickly get an overview of their online status, the next available calendar slot in Outlook, work hours, local time, or work location either remote or in the office. |
Contacts in chat |
You can no longer access Contacts from Chat. Instead, use the new People app. Pin it to your left navigation pane by selecting the (…) menu, right-click People, and then select Pin. |
Windows notifications |
Teams notifications are now fully served from Teams and all notifications preferences are handled within Teams Settings. |
Ability to save messages and files in Teams |
The Save feature is no longer available. Classic Teams users can download saved messages and files to a local folder that they can open in new Teams. Learn more by marking a message as saved in Microsoft Teams |
Teams Theme Setting |
Consistent with other Office applications, the Teams Theme setting follows the OS Theme by default. Users can change this default in Teams Settings > Appearance and Accessibility. |
Look up an organizational chart while in a 11 chat |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in Teams and navigate to the organizational chart within the profile card. |
Settings dialog |
Teams Settings is now an app accessed from the More options menu (…) in the title bar. |
General appearance changes |
Colors, tooltip styles, and general appearance have been updated. |
Post-level notifications within a channel |
Users can no longer opt-in or opt out of receiving notifications at a channel post level. |
Search box commands |
The following commands are no longer available in the new Teams search box /activity, /files, /goto, /help, /join, /keys, /mentions, /org, /saved, /testcall, /unread, /whatsnew, /who. |
Adding a Wiki to a channel tab |
You no longer see a Wiki app. Instead, select the Notes app. |
Adding third-party cloud storage service from the Files app and Files tab in channels |
You no longer see the “Add cloud storage” in the OneDrive app on Teams’ left navigation bar or within the Files tab in Teams channels. You can add the third-party storage app directly from the Teams App Store. |
Adding a document library (DocLib) app to a tab in channels |
Use the Sharepoint app instead. Then add the document library from there as a tab to the channel. Existing document libraries automatically convert to a SharePoint document library on first use. |
Activity tab in the chat |
No longer available. |
Look up LinkedIn while in an 11 chat |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in Teams and navigate to the LinkedIn tab within the profile card. |
Edit team name and change team picture from Edit team view. |
Team owners can edit the team name and change the team picture in the team Settings tab by selecting More options (…) > Manage team. |
Ability to choose and EDU themed team avatar from a list in the Edit team view In Microsoft Teams for Education |
No longer available. |
Files app on Teams left navigation pane |
The OneDrive app replaces the Files app on the left navigation pane. |
Ability to use tags in the “Add member” dialog. |
There’s now an advanced flow for tags. |
About links in the More options menu (…) |
About links are now in the Settings app under the About Teams category. |
Help in the app bar |
The Help entry point, including Help links and Give Feedback, is now located under the More options menu (…) in the title bar. |
Ability to sign out from the notification area at the far right of the taskbar (system tray). |
No longer available. |
Ability to build Team’s personal apps using Adaptive cards |
No longer available. |
General Availability of New Microsoft Teams
Microsoft has now made New Teams generally available for both Windows and Mac users. Moreover, the application has been redesigned from the ground up to deliver improved performance, enhanced reliability, security, and streamlined IT management. Users can now expect a faster, simpler, smarter, and more flexible app, achieving up to two times faster performance while using 50% less memory. Furthermore, the new Teams also support multitenant organizations (MTO) and multitenant, multi-account (MTMA), thereby facilitating seamless cross-tenant communication and collaboration beyond organizational boundaries.
Transition Preparation
During the transition preparation phase, New Teams have no major impact on the user experience, requiring no additional training. Administrators maintain control over the transition process and can enable New Teams through robust IT admin policies. Users can seamlessly begin using New Teams by toggling the switch in the classic Teams app if policies allow. Administrators should meticulously review policies, ensure organizational system requirements are met, and explore bulk update options for a seamless transition. Additionally, Microsoft provides an executable (.exe) file for the New Teams client, allowing direct updates to computers in the organization.
Timeline and User Notifications
Starting from February 1, 2024, classic Teams users who haven’t updated to New Teams will receive informational banners reminding them of the auto-update timeline. Furthermore, Classic Teams will remain available until March 31, 2024, but users are strongly encouraged to update the New Teams client. After March 31, 2024, Microsoft will automatically update users on classic Teams to the New Teams client, and switching back to classic Teams won’t be possible. Notably, Microsoft will actively attempt to uninstall Classic Teams.
Post-Transition Support and FAQs
Users already using New Teams will experience no change after March 31, 2024. If unable to update, they’ll receive a prompt to install the New Teams client or use Teams on the web. Comprehensive FAQs cover scenarios like users with both clients installed, unsupported OS, and classic Teams uninstallation. Additionally, Classic Teams functionality extends until June 30, 2024, under specific outlined conditions.
System Requirements for New Teams
Before the transition, users should ensure their devices meet the system requirements for the new Teams client, including Windows 10 version 10.0.19041 or higher (excluding Windows 10 LTSC for Teams desktop app), updated WebView2, Teams app version 1.6.00.4472, and specific settings for notifications and delivery optimization.
The transition from classic Teams to new Teams represents a positive step forward, offering enhanced performance, collaboration features, and overall usability for users and administrators alike. If you have questions or want more info, give us a call today.
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