[Updated] New Archive Channels Feature Coming to Microsoft Teams

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Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft plans to release a new update that will allow owners and administrators to archive Teams channels.
  • Users will be able to access and read the content in the archived channels.
  • However, members won’t be able to take any actions within these channels until they are restored.

Update – 12 Dec 2023 (1:17 AM PT): Microsoft has updated the Microsoft 365 Admin Center message to communicate that the feature will start rolling out to targeted release customers in early February 2024 (previously early January).

Microsoft Teams is getting a new update that will allow owners and administrators to archive channels. Microsoft announced the feature through a message on the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, and the rollout is planned for Teams desktop and web users in February 2024.

Microsoft Teams users will still be able to access and read the content (such as messages, files, and tabs) in the archived channels. However, channel members will not be able to take any action on these archived channels. Microsoft notes that channel owners will be able to restore them by heading to teams >> channels.

“Archiving channels will be available for Teams users. You, as a channel owner or administrator can archive a channel you own. By archiving the channel, it will not be available in your and channel members teams and channels list anymore and no more actions will be allowed on the channel like messaging, reacting, commenting, editing etc,” Microsoft explained.

Microsoft Teams archive channels feature to hit general availability in February

The archived channels feature is expected to be available for all Microsoft Teams desktop and web users in January 2024. This feature will be helpful for users who want to retain channel content for paused or completed projects.

Last month, Microsoft announced that Microsoft Mesh and Immersive spaces in Teams will become generally available in mid-February 2024. The Immersive spaces feature lets users turn their Teams meetings into a 3D experience where attendees appear as 3D avatars. Event creators will be able to customize immersive spaces, but it will require a Teams premium subscription.