Microsoft Teams integration is being removed from Windows 11

Nearly two years after the first announcement of the integration, Microsoft is getting ready to remove the built-in Microsoft Teams client from Windows 11. The more adaptable free version of Microsoft Teams, which is also accessible as a Windows 10 app, will replace the Chat capability. Microsoft revealed the improvements this week in a fresh Windows 11 test release.

According to a blog post by Microsoft’s senior programme manager Brandon LeBlanc, “Starting with his build, Chat is now Microsoft Teams – Free.” “Microsoft Teams – Free is pinned to the taskbar by default and can be unpinned like other apps on the taskbar.” Microsoft was contacted for comment about the removal of Chat, but the business didn’t provide one in time for publication.

The operating system was tightly integrated with the first Teams integration in Windows 11, known as Chat. The Chat app was pinned to the taskbar by default and has to be disabled by navigating to Settings. Microsoft Teams’ chat feature gives users a method to connect with their friends and family. However, however, it was only available to consumers, rendering it worthless for the great majority of Microsoft Teams customers who utilise the enterprise version of the service. Additionally, users of Windows 11 risk having two confused versions of Teams installed to manage both business and personal calls.

Up until now, Microsoft has been steadily introducing new features to Chat inside of Windows 11, including enhanced video conferencing capabilities in October, Discord-like communities in early November, and an AI art tool. The Microsoft Teams 2.0 client served as the basis for the new Microsoft Teams software that is now being sent out to organisations, and it also served as the basis for the built-in Chat capabilities in Windows 11.

Just a few days ago, Microsoft revealed intentions to discontinue support for Cortana on Windows 11 later this year. Now, the firm has decided to do the same with the built-in Teams client in Windows 11. Nearing the start of a new fiscal year, Microsoft is obviously concentrating its attention on brand-new Windows initiatives, such as its AI-powered Windows Copilot application.

When speaking at CES earlier this year, Windows CEO Panos Panay hinted at the significance of AI for Windows, saying that “AI is going to reinvent how you do everything on Windows.” Undoubtedly, AI will be a significant component in Windows 10 as well.

Additionally, Microsoft apparently agreed to discontinue integrating Teams with Office only a few months prior to the modifications to Teams. In an effort to placate EU authorities, Microsoft has decided to cease requiring Office customers to install Teams on their devices in April, according to The Financial Times. After competitor Slack complained about Microsoft’s bundling of Teams in 2020, the European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation on Microsoft’s practises.