The chat icon in the system tray will disappear soon. Instead, you get a shortcut to the free version of Teams.

For the announcement, see the release notes of the latest Windows 11 build 23481. The built-in Windows chat app is being replaced with the free version of Microsoft Teams. Behind the icon was a teams client that you could use to chat with colleagues. It is unclear why the chat app has to disappear, perhaps Microsoft would like to push the Teams brand more clearly.

The timing is also remarkable. Until recently, Microsoft continued to test and roll out new features for the client. The plan included video telephony and support for external apps. The chat app has always been strictly for home users: Microsoft has always pushed the business clientele towards the desktop version of Teams. The disappearance of the chat client will therefore make little difference for the majority of Teams users.

Microsoft is also completely redesigning Teams. With the addition of Discord-like communities, Teams is becoming more like a social media platform.

Write with ink

What else can we expect in upcoming Windows releases? Microsoft is improving support for Windows Ink, so now you can write text anywhere you can type. Get out the pen! In addition, Microsoft is also making adjustments to folder management in Explorer and introducing focus sessions. You can find a complete overview here.

You can already test all of these new features by signing up for the Windows Insider testing program. Always wanted to be an insider? Then read our manual.