Switch to the New Teams
Microsoft are rolling out their new Teams app. We recommend you switch to the new app before Classic Teams support ends from July 2024.
The New Teams app brings several features and improvements:
- Faster Performance: App launch, joining meetings, or switching chats or channels is up to 2X faster.
- Resource Efficiency: It utilizes up to 50% resources on your device, helping to preserve battery life.
- Cross-Organisation Collaboration: Seamlessly switch organisation without disrupting your meetings.
- Improved Security: Incorporates stringent content security policies and integrates the latest security engines.
- Enhanced Help: Access help articles, videos, latest updates and provide feedback directly to Microsoft.
- Presenter Toolbar: A new draggable Presenter Toolbar during screen sharing helps you navigate your presentable screens.
- File Image Previews: In chats and channels, you can see image previews of attached files directly in the conversation stream.
The new Microsoft Teams app has been redesigned from the ground up for a faster, simpler, and more flexible experience and it now has feature parity with Classic Teams. Our recommendation is that you choose to switch to the New Teams app now.
This article contains key supporting information about the transition to the New Teams desk and web app and you can get the new app now. See also: Info about changes in the New Teams app
From July 2024, if you still use Classic Teams and your device operating system is unsupported, a notice will appear each time you start Teams, alerting you that classic Teams is no longer supported, and the option to either continue or try new Teams on the web.
If your device cannot support the minimum specification to support the Teams app, see “Supported Operating Systems for Microsoft Teams” section, you might need to upgrade or replace your device.
This won't be limited to just the Microsoft Teams app because apps and web browsers are continually being updated so will eventually demand that you upgrade your device or operating system before you can install or use the app.
If you continue to use Classic Teams, you will be using an unsupported version and will continue to see the notice each time the app is started.
Transition Timeline
The timeline to replace Classic Teams with the New Teams desk app is controlled by Microsoft. The following outlines the key stages:
Nb. The timelines below are a guide only and are subject to change without notice. Some changes may take longer to implement.
- Since May / June 2024 - New Teams app download made the default for any new user
- From July 2024 - Classic Teams support ends for everyone
- From August 2024 - Remaining users will be prompted to switch to New Teams
- July 2025 - Classic Teams will be completely retired
The change is controlled by Microsoft and is on a global rollout timeline, it's not specific to University of Edinburgh. We recommend you choose to switch to the new app before Classic Teams support ends from July 2024.
To align with Microsoft's end to support for classic Teams, our policy will be updated in July so that users will be prompted within the Classic Teams app, to switch to the New Teams app, see "How will I be notified about the transition to the New Teams" section.
If you haven’t updated to new Teams, you may see a notification banner appear across the top of your Classic Teams app with an option to switch. We strongly recommend that you choose to switch now because the Classic Teams app will be unsupported and any new feature updates will be ported to New Teams only.
Yes, if you’re device operating system supports the New Teams desk app. See "Minimum Supported Operating Systems" section.
- You can wait for Microsoft to install it for you. This is currently scheduled from July 2024 but might change without notice.
- We recommend that you switch to New Teams now. See “Switch to the New Microsoft Teams” section.
Microsoft stipulates the following operating systems or web browsers listed below are supported, as a minimum specification, with the Microsoft Teams app on devices. They are correct as of July 2024 and subject to change.
If your device can only support older versions than stipulated below it might not be possible to install or run the Teams app and to use it. In this case, you will need to upgrade or replace your device.
Operating System |
Minimum Supported Versions |
---|---|
Windows |
Windows 10 version 10.0.19041 or higher (excluding Windows 10 LTSC for Teams desktop app) Upgrade to new Microsoft Teams with Microsoft 365 Apps - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
|
Mac |
Version 1.6.00.12303 or higher
|
Web |
Last three versions of: - Edge - Chrome - Firefox Last two versions of: - Safari New Teams for Web - Overview and prerequisites - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
|
Mobile |
Last four major versions on: - Android and tablets Last two major versions on: - iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Hardware requirements for Microsoft Teams - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
|
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) |
Windows 10.0.19041 or higher Windows Server 2019 (10.0.17763) Windows Server 2022 (10.0.20348) or higher WebView2 framework required in Windows Server and Windows 10/11 Multi-User environments New Microsoft Teams for Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
|
If you are still using classic Teams, you can switch to the new Teams desk app (Windows or Mac) below. Allow 24 hours following your request, it doesn't take effect immediately.
Nb. It helps reduce the potential for initial issues switching to the new app if your current Teams app is up to date. Ensure your app has the latest updates and restart it prior to switching to the new Teams app. If you also have any pending Windows or Mac updates, allow them to finish installing first before trying to switch the app. See also the "Known Issues" section of this page for more details.
Information Services cannot guarantee that switching to the new Teams app will be free from issues (see the "Known Issues & Troubleshooting" section) and changes may appear without prior warning.
Until August 2024, you should be able to switch back to Classic Teams on demand from within the new Teams app. However, we strongly advise that you stick with it for the newest feature releases and to avoid unexpected issues arising which could be disruptive to your meetings.
To switch back to the classic Teams, turn off the New Teams toggle (top left) in the Teams app. If you do not see the toggle use the options menu (top right) and it should be at the bottom of the menu.
NOTE: When you switch between the new and classic Teams, the version you’re currently using will close and the one you’re switching to will automatically open and become your default version. Switching between versions can lead to camera feed and potentially other issues (see "Known Issues & Troubleshooting" section). For the best experience, if Teams Classic is still installed on your device but you're using the New Teams app, uninstall Classic Teams from the device.
Classic Teams |
New Teams |
Windows notifications |
Teams notifications are now fully served from Teams and all notifications preferences are handled within Teams Settings.
|
Adding a Wiki to a channel tab
|
You no longer see a Wiki app. Instead, select the Notes app. |
Adding third party cloud storage service from Files app and Files tab in channels |
You no longer see the "Add cloud storage" in the Files app on Teams' left navigation bar and within the Files tab in Teams channels. Now you can add the third party storage app directly from the Teams App Store.
|
Look up an organizational chart while in a 1:1 chat |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in Teams and navigate to the organizational chart within the profile card.
|
Look up LinkedIn while in a 1:1 chat |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in Teams and navigate to the LinkedIn tab within the profile card.
|
Adding a document library (DocLib) app to a tab in channels |
Use the Sharepoint app instead. Then add the document library from there as a tab to the channel. Existing document libraries automatically convert to a SharePoint document library on first use.
|
Activity tab in chat |
No longer available.
|
Ability to save messages and files in Teams |
No longer available. Will be replaced later this year by a similar feature.
|
Allow users to follow another user's presence, then notify them of availability |
Select a user’s avatar or profile photo anywhere in new Teams to quickly get an overview of their online status, next available calendar slot in Outlook, work hours, local time, or work location (remote or office).
|
Ability to sign out from the notification area at the far right of the taskbar (system tray). |
No longer available.
|
Settings dialog |
Teams Settings is now an app accessed from the More options menu (...) in the title bar.
|
About links in the More options menu (...) |
About links are now in the Settings app under the About Teams category.
|
Help in the app bar |
The Help entry point, including Help links and Give Feedback is now located under the More options menu (...) in the title bar.
|
Ability to build Teams personal apps usings Adaptive cards
|
No longer available. |
General appearance changes
|
Colours, tooltip styles, and general appearance have been updated. |
Ability to use tags in the "Add member" dialog.
|
There's now an advanced flow for tags. |
Teams Theme Setting |
Consistent with other Office applications, Teams Theme setting follows the OS Theme by default. Users can change this default in Teams Settings > Appearance and Accessibility.
|
Contacts in chat |
You no longer can access Contacts from Chat. Instead, use the new People app. Pin it to your left navigation pane by selecting the (...) menu, right-click People, and then select Pin.
|
Search box commands |
The following commands are no longer available in the new Teams search box: /activity, /files, /goto, /help, /join, /keys, /mentions, /org, /saved, /testcall, /unread, /whatsnew, /who. |
Troubleshooting the "Try New Teams" toggle switch:
If you receive the following message: "Due to org policy, you can't install the new Teams. For more info..." This issue is a common issue when the Teams client requires updating or restarting.
Relaunch your current client before turning the Try the new Teams toggle ON to make sure that you have the latest changes. It is also important to check if there are any Windows updates pending or including security updates, install them before you try new Teams.
If relaunching your client does not resolve your issue, your Teams client may require an update. Please check the version of Teams you have installed (Settings > About Teams) against the latest guidance on: Version update history for Teams app deployments - Office release notes | Microsoft Learn If you do not have the latest version of Teams installed, please update your version before trying the New Teams client again.
If this issue persists after taking the above measures, it is likely a technical issue with the computer that's preventing installation and will require a computer admin to help resolve it. Speak with your computing officer or school IT in the first instance. Or contact IS Helpline. Copy and include the troubleshooting article linked below in your request for help: Troubleshooting the new Teams installation - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
- If you’re not seeing the toggle for new Teams, make sure you have the minimum required versions for Windows and Teams
- After you successfully switch to new Teams: If you can't find the toggle on the top left to switch between new Teams and Microsoft Teams (work or school), start the version you want by going to Start menu and searching for it or by clicking on it from the task bar.
- I don't use Windows, what about Mac? If you use a Mac then you may find this pre-requisites for installation & troubleshooting info for Mac users helpful.
Camera not working in some meetings, video feed showing blank/black screen:
Some users report intermittent issues with the Windows app whereby their camera is either blank or displaying a black screen to them. This can happen between meetings, between devices or locations. In some cases, other attendees on the meeting can see the video feed. Any user experiencing this so far has been able to clear the issue by taking the steps below:
1. Completely quit the Teams app on the affected device - Right-click the Teams icon in the taskbar, and then select Quit. Start up Teams and check the video feed.
2. If the issue reoccurs or is persisting then take the following steps on the affected device:
2.1. If Teams is still running, right-click the Teams icon in the taskbar, and then select Quit.
2.2. Open the Run dialog box by typing 'Run' in Windows search (or pressing the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard, if present)
2.3. In the Run dialog box, copy/paste: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe
2.4. Delete all files and folders in the directory.
2.5. Start Teams.
More known issues:
You will find up to date info about known issues and currently omitted features in the following article linked below:
In the new Teams, you can access authoritative help and support articles, videos, and the latest on what's new from Microsoft by selecting Settings and more next to your profile picture at the top of the new Teams, then select Help > Get help, Help > Video training, or Help > What's new.
If you encounter a bug or have feedback when using the new Teams that you would like to provide to Microsoft, select Help > Give feedback and follow the prompts.
If you would like to provide feedback to Service Management about your experience with the New Teams and the information support we provide for it, please use the form below: