Today, Microsoft has tackled the enduring ambiguity surrounding Microsoft Teams for Windows users. The organization has disclosed that there will henceforth be just a single Microsoft Teams application for Windows going forward.
It’s noteworthy that Microsoft is reverting to its initial strategy. When Teams was initially launched, it was intended to cater to all varieties of accounts, enabling personal Microsoft users along with those from workplaces or educational establishments to interact via the same platform.
Nevertheless, a choice was made to develop a separate edition of Teams exclusively for personal users, which resulted in significant confusion and complicated matters for users who relied on either or both iterations of Teams.
Searching for “Teams” in the Windows start menu could yield either version of the application, or occasionally both variants. This sometimes led to users initiating the incorrect Teams application, heightening their annoyance. Moreover, an advertisement for Teams caused certain issues that resulted in Windows 11 systems freezing back in 2021.
According to Microsoft, a new integrated Teams application is once again accessible. This updated version is tailored for users on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac devices.
Microsoft indicates that Teams will update automatically on Windows. Users can also obtain the application directly from the Microsoft website.
Key attributes of the revised Teams application comprise:
- The capability to log in with various personal, work, or educational accounts.
- Multiple accounts can now be showcased in “side-by-side windows from a single Teams application”.
- A feature that permits users to choose accounts when entering Team meetings.
- The option to join as a guest user.
- A new Community feature aimed at personal users.
Microsoft launched the new unified Teams application in March and has been trialing it since then. This latest iteration is preinstalled with Windows 11, version 24H2.
The company has not clarified whether users need to manually remove one of the previous applications from their Windows devices.
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