Microsoft’s fresh new updates for Outlook and Teams

Microsoft is rolling out a fresh new look and feel to many of its applications, including Outlook and Teams.

Some features to look out for...

Teams

Firstly, there’s going to be a New Teams – currently this is in Public Preview. If you don’t have complex needs in Teams, there are some good benefits to the features in the new Teams client.

If you are still using the older version, you could begin seeing the toggle switch in the classic client by the end of July (dependent on your licence level). From September, Microsoft will be making the new Teams the default app for users.

As an administrator, you can manage the rollout of the new Teams to your colleagues by setting the UseNewTeamsClient policy under the Teams update policies if you have already deployed it prior to the new changes coming out.

Just some of the other new features include:

Location settings: You can set your work location in your status settings in Teams – have a look for the icon to set your status to either working in the office (the skyscraper) or working from home (the house). Colleagues can now see quickly if you are in the office or home.

Teams users will also be able to see a Notes button during meetings. This is a handy tool as participants can collaborate in real time, build an agenda, take notes and manage tasks. This roll-out will be completed by Mid-July.

Outlook

In terms of Outlook, Microsoft has been working on a new Outlook for Windows app (replacing the built-in Mail app in Windows 10 and 11 and replace the Outlook desktop app) which rolled out in May. This function is still in preview so not all of the new features are available as of yet. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t test it out!

The new outlook is web-based – similar to the online version with a load of new features.

Some of the features include:

Snooze Emails – This function is a great feature for setting reminders for an email. The function removes the email from your inbox, allowing it to re-appear at the top of your inbox at the time you set.

Pinning emails – Searching through your mailbox every morning when you’re in a rush can be a bit of a pin. You can flag emails, sure, but they can end up out of sight as you receive new emails. The new pinning feature is perfect for emails you don’t want to forget.

Join Teams Meeting – The new version allows you to easily join Teams or Skype meetings directly from within Outlook. All you do is click on the meeting notification above the ribbon and click join to attend.

My Day – If using task lists is your thing, the My Day feature is for you. This function allows you to easily drag and drop emails to your task list, based on Microsoft To Do. The My Day calendar view brings together upcoming events and tasks on the agenda in one overview.

Google Account integration – Gmail accounts can be added to Outlook, removing the need for you to switch between two apps, plus you’re now able to handily access your Google calendars in Outlook.

Synchronisation with Outlook Online – Your settings are now seamlessly integrated with Outlook Online – which makes switching between the two a whole lot easier. Rules created can be used in both versions i.e., email signatures are synced between the two.

Undo Send – As featured in Outlook Online, you can now cancel a message for up to 10 seconds after you have to hit the send button. This can be activated under Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply.

Interface: The look of the new Outlook app has changed quite significantly. Besides the look, there are some changes to note:

· You can choose between 3 Density levels – Roomy, Cosy and Compact.

· Microsoft Loop components have been integrated.

· The list view in your inbox allows you to place the first line of the body next to the subject.

· Reminders of important emails that may need following up

· The ability to track your packages and view flight details.

And this one’s for the android users… updates in Outlook include the ‘schedule send’ feature, enabling you to create emails and send them at your chosen time – this is already available in Outlook for IOS but will now be available for android users, too.

What do you think of the new updates? Comment below…