Microsoft is removing the integrated Teams Chat menu on Windows 11

Microsoft replaces the integrated Chat menu with a pinned app shortcut.

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What you need to know

Microsoft isrolling out a new Windows 11 preview buildfor testers in the Insider Dev Channel today that includes an interesting change that to the built-in Teams Chat integration that first shipped with Windows 11 in 2021. Starting with this build (23481), the Teams Chat flyout has been removed, and replaced with a simple pinned icon to the Microsoft Teams app.

This means that while Microsoft Teams (Free) is still pre-installed on Windows 11, the system-wide integration on the Taskbar will no longer be present, meaning Windows 11’s dedicated Chat feature is being killed off. This will be good news to many, who have found zero use for the free version of Microsoft Teams ever since Windows 11 launched.

The free Teams app will be pinned to the Taskbar by default going forward, but it can easily be removed by simply right-clicking and selecting Unpin, just like you can with any other Windows app. The Teams Chat icon could only be turned off by heading to the Settings app and switching the feature off.

This change is in preview now, and will likely roll out as part of theWindows 11 version 23H2release later this year.

Build 23481 also includes a number of other notable changes, including a new Focus widget, the removal of several older File Explorer options, and the ability to ink directly into text boxes across Windows 11. The full changelog for the build can be found below.

Windows 11 build 23481 changelog

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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads