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Microsoft Teams Has Changed During Summer: Here’s What You Missed
While many of us took a break over the summer, the evolution of Microsoft Teams did not. As you return to work, you might notice new options available, features that have been renamed, or even struggle to find the usual general channel. In this article, I’m compiling some of the updates Teams has received during the summer that may require some adjustments by end users.
Files was renamed to Shared in chats and got new features
The Files tab in chats is being renamed to Shared to enhance the user experience. This update, rolling out from early July 2024, introduces several new features.
The Shared tab will now include not only files but also links, and will soon support image previews and keyword search. This richer format will display recent files, all files, and links sent in a chat, providing a more comprehensive view of shared content.
Channels remain unaffected by this change, and no admin action is required. This update applies to Teams for Desktop and Mac, replacing the previous Files tab that only listed shared files without links.
Choose a breakout room from a list
Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature that allows meeting participants to select their own breakout rooms, enhancing flexibility and coordination. This update, will be available on Teams for Windows, Mac, and the web, with rollouts starting in late September 2024 and completing by late November 2024. The feature will be enabled by default, requiring no admin action.
Meeting organizers can now make the list of breakout rooms visible to all participants, allowing them to choose and move freely between rooms. This change simplifies the process for both organizers and participants, replacing the previous system where only organizers could assign rooms and participants couldn’t switch rooms.
General channel can now be renamed
Microsoft Teams is enhancing its functionality by allowing team owners to rename the General channel, a change driven by customer feedback. This update, rolling out from early August to late September 2024, enables team owners to assign meaningful names to the General channel in both new and existing teams. The renamed General channel will appear in alphabetical order in the teams’ and channels’ list for all members, improving organization and clarity.
Expanded search options for 1:1 chats
Microsoft Teams is enhancing its search functionality in 1:1 chats, providing users with expanded options to find content related to a person across Teams. Starting from early August 2024 and completing by mid-August 2024, this feature will be available on Windows, Mac, and the web, and will be enabled by default.
Users will now be able to extend their search from a simple keyword search within a 1:1 chat to all results related to a person, with suggestions to search with or without a keyword. This update allows users to see a suggestion at the end of their search results to expand the search across Teams, either by pairing their search keywords with the person in the chat or by viewing all results related to that person. This change significantly improves the search experience, making it easier to find relevant information.
Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows with Native PTZ controls
Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows is set to enhance its functionality by introducing native PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera controls, starting mid-September 2024. This feature will be enabled by default but can be adjusted in the Admin Settings. With this update, PTZ controls will be accessible in the Camera settings pop-up menu when the Enhanced Framing toggle is off, allowing for more precise camera adjustments. Previously, native PTZ controls were not available in the Camera settings for PTZ-capable cameras. Post-rollout, admins will have the ability to toggle this feature for each Teams Room on Windows through the device’s Admin Settings for Peripherals, providing greater flexibility and control over camera operations.
August 14, 2024
Files being renamed to Shared. I’m based in Northern Ireland, UK. I notice that several changes don’t show up on our Teams and in this instance it is Files being renamed to Shared. Does this roll out over a time frame and will the UK be included eventually?