Classic Microsoft Teams Users will Auto-Update to New Teams Desktop Client in Early 2024

Teams 2.0 Client Hero approved

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft will automatically upgrade classic Teams users to the new Teams desktop client for Windows and macOS after March 31, 2024.
  • The new Teams desktop client replaces the resource-intensive Electron framework with the more efficient React framework and Edge WebView 2, promising enhanced reliability and a simplified, faster experience for users.
  • IT administrators should prepare for this change by configuring Teams update policies to ensure a smooth transition within their organizations.

Microsoft is gearing up to begin automatic updates for classic Teams users, transitioning them to the new Teams desktop client for Windows and macOS. This change was announced via the Microsoft 365 admin center yesterday, and it’s slated to take effect after March 31, 2024.

Last month, Microsoft announced the general availability of its new Teams desktop client for Windows and Mac users. The new app replaces the resource-intensive Electron framework with the React framework and Edge WebView 2. Microsoft claims that users should notice improved performance and reduced disk space usage, especially on Windows PCs.

“The new Teams app is reimagined from the ground up to deliver improved performance and enhanced reliability, security, and IT management. The result is a faster, simpler, smarter, and more flexible app that is up to two times faster while using 50% less memory,” Microsoft explained. “With the move to general availability, new features, capabilities, and enhancements to existing features are available exclusively on new Teams.”

The new Microsoft Teams also supports several features like breakout rooms, 7×7 video view, third-party apps, contextual search, PSTN calling, and call queues. It also offers multi-tenant organization capabilities to enhance cross-tenant communication and collaboration.

Classic Microsoft Teams Users will Auto-Update to New Teams Client After March 31, 2024

IT admins urged to prepare for a seamless transition to the new Microsoft Teams

Microsoft says customers can continue using the classic Teams application until March 31, 2024. The company recommends that IT admins should prepare accordingly to ensure a smooth transition to the new Teams in their tenants. Microsoft advises setting the Teams update policy to “Microsoft controlled” and configuring the “Use new Teams client” setting to “New Teams only.”

Microsoft noted that this change will not impact the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments. Currently, the new Teams on VDI experience is available in public preview, and its audio/video (AV) optimization is certified with Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktops, VMware, and Citrix. Moreover, the automatic rollout won’t affect Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) and Surface Hub devices.

Last week, Microsoft announced that Teams has more than 320 million monthly active users worldwide. “When it comes to Teams, usage continues to grow, with more than 320 million monthly active users making Teams the place to work across chat, collaboration, meetings, and calling,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft.