It’s finally here, the new version of Microsoft Teams. Professional accounts can use it today.

Microsoft announced back in 2021 that Teams would be getting a new architecture, but that was easier said than done. After all, users should get the same app with all the familiar features without noticing the drastic changes. Essentially, Microsoft just rebuilt Teams.

The old version ran on Electron, the new one on Edge WebView 2 as a basis with a React-based interface. The result is a significant increase in speed in all areas:

• Installs up to 3x faster
• Boot up to 2x faster
• Joining meetings is twice as fast
• Switching between chats or channels is up to 1.7 times faster
• Consumes 50% less memory
• Requires 70% less storage capacity

The completely new version Microsoft Teams 2.0 can be called with such performance increases. We feel the difference immediately when we make the switch. Important to know: During the public test period, you can freely switch between old and new via a special button in the upper left corner of Teams.

This can also be necessary because not all available functions are included. First, let’s see what’s new.

Finally smooth working with multiple accounts

Anyone who often has to work with one or more accounts in a Teams environment knows the frustrations of staying reachable in all environments. The latest team update puts an end to the constant logging in and out of accounts.

Now you are actively logged into each of your accounts, so you can be reached anywhere. You can seamlessly switch between accounts. Receive a chat message or video call on a different account than the one you’re working with? Switch faster than ever before with the push of a button.

For many people struggling with multiple accounts, this is by far the number one reason to quickly switch to the new Microsoft Teams trial.

Intune and security

IT teams that use Microsoft Intune to roll out applications (and related updates) to employee laptops will love the new Microsoft Teams. Intune supports the deployment of MSIX applications. You can uninstall it in the background and install it when needed. Because the new version is lighter, network consumption and storage space on employees’ devices will be reduced.

Thanks to MSIX packaging, Teams is automatically protected by security features in Windows and automatically gets the latest app version with associated security updates and bug fixes.

Lots of small optimizations

In addition to thorough innovations, Microsoft optimizes small parts within the user interface to work more smoothly. This allows you to streamline notifications and better organize channels.

Over time, they also want to integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot into teams, the smart AI based on GPT-4. In its presentation, the software giant says it wants to use AI to make meetings or chats better and clearer with reports and automatic replies. It remains to be seen how the company intends to implement this in concrete terms.

What’s in today?

From chatting to the activity feed to (video) calls, everything can be seen in the Microsoft Teams upgrade. PowerPoint Live is great for presenting, as are the virtual backgrounds when you turn on the webcam. Teams and channels are operational, as is dynamically switching between multiple Teams accounts.

You can view, download and upload files more smoothly than before. All first partyApplications are operational. Think of tools like Approvals of Tasks, but also Microsoft 365 applications like Microsoft Viva.

What is not yet included?

The latest version of Teams is a public preview currently only available for Windows PC and you must have a professional account. State accounts or in the education sector still have to be patient. The same applies to VDI and the web version of Teams.

The trial doesn’t yet include advanced calling features like queuing and number lookup, meeting breakout areas, and a 7×7 video grid. Scrolling through your chat history is smoother than before, but searching chats and channels doesn’t work yet. Third-party (non-Microsoft) and Line of Business (LOB) applications do not work, as does the Files app.

When is the public rollout planned?

Windows users can get started today with the public preview of the new version of Microsoft Teams. It is not yet clear when this upgrade will be rolled out to all other Windows installations. Microsoft is targeting later this year.

A preview version for Mac should come before the end of 2023. It is not yet clear when the web version will be revised.

Would you like to work with Microsoft Teams 2.0 yourself to test all the improvements yourself? Then follow our detailed guide where we walk you through the installation process step by step.