Redesigned Microsoft Teams Runs Faster, Uses Less Memory
Microsoft's revamped Teams app for Windows is now available for public preview.
The overhaul focuses(Opens in a new window) on speed and performance; the company says the "app launch" and "join meeting" features now run twice as fast and consume half as much memory as classic Teams.
Microsoft also made it easier to navigate notifications, search for information, manage messages, and organize channels with fewer clicks. Gone are the days of confusing bottom-up threaded conversations and an overwhelming number of buttons.
Naturally, the new Teams(Opens in a new window) includes artificial intelligence—including previously announced features like intelligence recap and Copilot.
"We will use AI to take the work out of working together by getting you up to speed on what happened before you joined a meeting or chat and answering your questions all in the flow of the discussion," says Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft collaborative apps and platforms. "We're only just beginning to see the potential of AI inside Teams, and we will have lots more to share in the future."
General availability—including Mac and web access—is expected "later this year." In the meantime, Windows users are encouraged to toggle on the public preview(Opens in a new window) via the Try the new Teams button in the top-left corner of the desktop app. Keep in mind, though, that while many classic features already appear in the new version, others—call queues, breakout rooms, channel announcements—are still under construction.
"We are by no means done optimizing the performance of new Teams," Teper says. "As the world continues to evolve, Teams is here to be your modern workplace."
Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox
Read more on pcmag.com
