Microsoft Teams Chats to Simplify File Management with New Shared Tab

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft Teams is renaming the Files tab to Shared, which will now display both files and links shared in chats.
• The Shared tab will include recent files, all files, and links, with support for image previews and keyword search coming soon.
• This update will be available for Microsoft Teams desktop app users on Windows and macOS starting in July 2024.

Microsoft Teams is getting a new update to simplify how users discover content in chat messages. The app will rename the existing Files tab to Shared, which will show all the files and links shared within the Teams chat.

In Microsoft Teams, the Files tab offers a simple interface where users can see a single list of files that have been shared within a chat. However, it doesn’t include links to any external resources or documents. This means users have to search through chat messages to find these links.

With the new Shared tab, users will be able to find recent files, all files, and links all in one place. Microsoft says this update will be enabled by default for all users, but it won’t affect the Channels experience in Microsoft Teams.

New features coming to the Shared tab in Microsoft Teams chats

Microsoft will soon add support for image previews and a keyword search experience to the Shared tab in Microsoft Teams chats. Additionally, the Shared tab will allow users to find media links, including images, videos, and GIFs. Microsoft notes that this capability is planned for a future update.

The new Shared tab experience in Teams chats is expected to roll out to commercial customers in early July. For now, this feature will only be available for the Microsoft Teams desktop app on Windows and macOS, with no ETA for web users yet.

Earlier this year, Microsoft Teams introduced a new Files experience to help users find and organize their files across chats, channels, and meetings. The new Shared tab will further enhance accessibility by including links. This should make it easier for users to locate and access a broader range of shared content within Microsoft Teams chats.