Microsoft to retire Teams Classic in April
Far from just a chat and video-calling app, Teams is a powerful productivity and collaboration platform. In 2023, a new version of the Teams app was released for Windows, MacOS and web, with improved performance, new features and AI-readiness.
Since then, Microsoft have been winding down support for the legacy version of the app – now known as Microsoft Teams Classic. On 1st April 2024, Teams Classic will become unavailable for most users. And while Microsoft will automatically upgrade users to the new Teams client, if you have a Microsoft Business or Enterprise licence you can switch now to make the most of the new version.
To upgrade, enable the toggle next to “Try the new Teams” at the top of the app, then make sure you’re using the version of the app with the “NEW” banner.
More efficient
The new Teams app is optimised to work faster, with fewer resources; the preview version was found to run as much as twice as fast as Teams Classic while using half as much memory – reducing the drain on laptops’ batteries.
Works with Copilot
Microsoft is investing heavily in Artificial Intelligence, and recently released Copilot for small- to medium-sized businesses. The AI works alongside users to extract information from documents, create presentations or write and edit emails. In the new Teams app, users with a Copilot licence can quickly catch up on chats they missed or summarise video calls in real time.
QoL improvements
Since Microsoft released the new Teams app. they have made numerous quality of life changes that weren’t pushed to Teams Classic, such as the ability to forward chat messages or change availability status from the Teams taskbar icon without opening the app.
Remember; if you don’t switch now, Microsoft will upgrade you soon anyway. In either case, we’re always happy to support your transition to new Teams.
Useful links
Switch to the new Microsoft Teams
