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The Latest Microsoft Teams Update: Your Complete Guide to the New Interface.

Microsoft Teams updates are rolling out for just about all users, so here’s a guide to help you maximize your Teams environment with the latest features.
Mike Jones
Written by:
Mike Jones
Published Jan 14, 2025
Marketing banner showing "THE 2025 TEAMS UPDATE" text with retro computer display showing Teams interface and circuit board background.

Microsoft’s latest Teams update has transformed how we collaborate, bringing unified chat and channels alongside enhanced Copilot integration. Although plans for updates were announced in 2024, actual updates are rolling out to all users at the beginning of 2025. Here’s your comprehensive guide to navigating these powerful changes.

Understanding the Microsoft Teams Update

This major Microsoft Teams update has fundamentally changed how users interact with the platform’s communication features. The redesign streamlines collaboration by unifying chat and channels, while introducing powerful new filtering capabilities and enhanced Copilot features.

Unified Experience

The update’s cornerstone is the integration of chat and channel conversations into a single, cohesive interface. As Jeff Teper, President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms at Microsoft, explains: “This integrates both chat and channels into your critical workflows, making it easier to access, triage, and organize your conversations”.

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New Chat and Microsoft Teams Channels Experience

The unified chat and channels interface introduces several improvements:

  • Seamless switching between personal and team communications
  • Integrated message threading
  • Enhanced notification management
  • Streamlined file sharing across chats and channels
Screenshot of Microsoft Teams new unified chat and channels interface in dark mode with UI elements highlighted.
New Teams chat/teams/channels interface.

Smart Filters for Better Organization

The new filters system helps users manage communications effectively:

  • Dedicated chat-only view
  • Channel-only view
  • Unread messages filter
  • Custom organizational options

Microsoft Teams Update Features

@Mention View: Streamlined Attention for Critical Messages

The new @mention view consolidates all mentions across chats and channels into a single, organized feed. This feature ensures that important notifications are no longer buried in the chaos of daily communications. But what makes this update truly impactful?

  • Prioritized Communication: By centralizing mentions, users can quickly identify and respond to critical messages without sifting through unrelated conversations. This is especially useful in high-pressure environments where timely responses are crucial.
  • Focused Collaboration: The @mention view keeps discussions on track by highlighting relevant team members or channels, ensuring that everyone who needs to be involved stays informed.
  • Integration with Automation Tools: Pairing @mentions with tools like Power Automate allows users to trigger workflows directly from mentions. For instance, tagging a colleague in a project update could automatically assign tasks or update project management tools like Trello or Asana.

This feature doesn’t just notify—it transforms how teams prioritize and act on communication, making it a cornerstone for efficient collaboration.

Screenshot showing the new Teams mentions feature with the @Mentions option highlighted in the sidebar.
New Teams mention view.

Custom Sections: Tailored Workspaces for Every Team

The introduction of custom sections takes personalization in Teams to the next level. Users can now group conversations, bots, and AI agents into dedicated sections based on their workflow needs. Here’s why this matters:

  • Enhanced Organization: Custom sections allow teams to group project-related communications, ensuring all relevant discussions are easily accessible in one place. This eliminates the clutter of unrelated conversations.
  • Integrating AI and Bots: With the ability to include AI agents like Copilot or custom bots in these sections, users can centralize project management tools, automate repetitive tasks, and even get real-time insights without leaving their workspace.
  • Improved Focus: By creating topic-specific hubs, users can minimize distractions and stay focused on their priorities.

Custom sections empower teams to design their workspace around their unique workflows, fostering productivity and reducing inefficiencies.

Side-by-side screenshots showing how to create new sections in Teams, with yellow arrows pointing to key features.
New Teams custom sections feature.

Copilot Integration

The Microsoft Copilot log on a blue and white gradient background.
Copilot is now integrated into Teams | AdriaVidal - stock.adobe.com

Microsoft Teams integration with Copilot, an AI-powered assistant, is one of the most transformative aspects of this update. Copilot enhances collaboration by automating mundane tasks and providing intelligent insights that drive better decision-making.

Key Features of Copilot:

  • Smart Message Drafting:
    • Copilot can draft responses or announcements based on the context of your conversations, saving time while ensuring professionalism.
    • It also suggests edits or alternative phrasing for clarity and tone
  • Meeting Summaries:
    • After every meeting, Copilot generates concise summaries highlighting key discussion points, decisions made, and action items.
    • This feature eliminates the need for manual note-taking and ensures that no important detail is overlooked during follow-ups
  • Action Item Tracking:
    • Copilot automatically identifies action items discussed during meetings or chats and assigns them to the appropriate team members.
    • This proactive approach keeps projects moving forward without requiring manual task delegation
  • Intelligent File Recommendations:
    • Based on ongoing conversations or projects, Copilot suggests relevant files or resources from SharePoint or OneDrive.
    • This reduces time spent searching for documents and facilitates seamless collaboration.

Why It Matters:

Copilot doesn’t just assist—it anticipates your needs and provides actionable insights that improve productivity across the board. From simplifying meeting management to enhancing content creation workflows, it’s a tool designed to help teams work smarter, not harder.

Implementation Overview

Availability

As of January 2025, the new Teams interface is now fully available across all user segments:

  • Commercial users
  • Enterprise customers
  • Government cloud users (including GCC and GCCH)

This widespread rollout marks a significant milestone, as the updates announced in late 2024 are now accessible to everyone on the platform, not just select users. This universal availability enables all teams to leverage the new features and innovate their collaborative processes.

Transition Support

Microsoft continues to provide comprehensive onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition for all users:

  • Guided introduction to the new layout
  • Customizable preference configuration options
  • Temporary access to the classic view during the transition period

While Microsoft offers these resources, many organizations find additional expert support invaluable during such significant updates. At US Cloud, we are ideally positioned to assist with any of your necessary transitions. Our team of specialists can provide personalized guidance, training, and troubleshooting to ensure your organization maximizes the benefits of the new Teams experience with minimal disruption.

As you navigate these changes, consider partnering with US Cloud to streamline your transition and unlock the full potential of the new Microsoft Teams interface.

Impact on Productivity

Streamlined Workflow

The consolidation of communications into a single view reduces context switching and decreases cognitive load on users. This streamlined approach helps teams maintain better focus and improve overall productivity.

Flexible Organization

The new custom sections and filtering options provide unprecedented flexibility in managing communications. This customization allows teams to:

  • Create efficient workflow organizations
  • Prioritize important conversations
  • Reduce information overload
  • Better manage project-specific communications

Teams can now create dedicated spaces for specific projects or departments, enabling clear communication boundaries and improved information architecture across the organization.

Cross-Platform Consistency

The new experience is consistent across all platforms:

  • Desktop applications
  • Web browsers
  • Mobile devices (iOS and Android)

This seamless consistency ensures that users can maintain their productivity whether they’re at their desk, in a meeting room, or working remotely from their mobile device, with all features and functions working identically across platforms.

US Cloud Support Solutions

US Cloud team member with headset providing remote support at modern office workstation.
US Cloud support specialist at work.

Expert Migration and Support

At US Cloud, we specialize in helping organizations maximize their Microsoft Teams update experience while providing superior support at up to 50% cost savings compared to Microsoft Premier support.

Why Choose US Cloud for Teams Support?

Our dedicated Microsoft Teams support service offers:

  • 24/7/365 Expert Support
    • Direct access to US-based Teams specialists
    • Average response time under 15 minutes
    • Comprehensive troubleshooting and resolution
  • Migration Assistance
    • Seamless transition to the new interface
    • Custom training programs for your team
    • Data migration and security validation

Take the Next Step with Your Teams Update

Don’t navigate these changes alone. US Cloud is your trusted partner in maximizing the value of your Microsoft Teams environment. Our expert support team is ready to help you harness the full potential of the new chat and channels experience, Copilot integration, and enhanced filtering capabilities.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Transform your Microsoft Teams experience with US Cloud. Our certified specialists are standing by to provide a comprehensive assessment of your environment and create a tailored support plan that meets your organization’s unique needs. With significant cost savings and superior support, there’s never been a better time to partner with US Cloud.

Ready to optimize your Microsoft Teams environment? Schedule your consultation now.

Don’t wait to unlock the full potential of your Microsoft Teams update. Contact US Cloud today and join the thousands of organizations already benefiting from our premier support services.

How to access the new Teams interface | Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash.

Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Teams Updates

How do I access the new Teams interface?

The new interface is now available to all Teams users. If you haven’t seen it yet, check for updates in your Teams application.

Can I still use the traditional Teams interface?

During the transition period, users have the option to switch back to the classic view through their settings menu.

What happened to my existing Teams data?

All existing chats, channels, and shared content remain intact. The update only changes how you access and organize your communications.

How do Teams updates affect my daily workflow?

The unified interface simplifies navigation and reduces the need to switch between different sections of Teams, saving time and reducing communication friction.

Mike Jones
Mike Jones
Mike Jones stands out as a leading authority on Microsoft enterprise solutions and has been recognized by Gartner as one of the world’s top subject matter experts on Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (EA) and Unified (formerly Premier) Support contracts. Mike's extensive experience across the private, partner, and government sectors empowers him to expertly identify and address the unique needs of Fortune 500 Microsoft environments. His unparalleled insight into Microsoft offerings makes him an invaluable asset to any organization looking to optimize their technology landscape.
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