check before: 2025-09-17
Product:
Microsoft 365 admin center, Teams, Windows, Windows Virtual Desktop
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Feature update, User impact, Admin impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Teams now supports SlimCore-based optimization for Citrix VDI, offering better performance and new features. Admins must update Citrix Studio policies to whitelist virtual channels (MSTEAMS, MSTEAM1, MSTEAM2) and deploy the Citrix Plugin. WebRTC optimization will be deprecated in the future.
Details:
[Introduction:]
Microsoft Teams introduced a new SlimCore-based optimization for Citrix VDI environments and Windows endpoints in late 2024. This update delivered improved performance, reliability, and quality compared to the legacy WebRTC-based optimization. It also unlocks new features such as Gallery view (3x3 and 7x7), QoS, HID support, custom backgrounds, hardware acceleration, and 1080p video. Microsoft recommends enabling this optimization ahead of the upcoming WebRTC deprecation announcement.
[When this will happen:]
This update is available now. Microsoft recommends configuring your environment as soon as possible to ensure continued access to new Teams features.
Who is affected: Admins managing Citrix DaaS/CVAD environments where Microsoft Teams is deployed
What will happen:
You are receiving this message because we detected that your Citrix DaaS/CVAD environment is not configured to allow the custom virtual channels needed by Microsoft Teams so it can optimize users with the SlimCore architecture.
If the virtual channels are not whitelisted, Microsoft Teams will only be able to optimize using the legacy WebRTC-based offloading.
Since the new SlimCore-based optimization is where all new features will be introduced, Microsoft strongly recommends IT administrators reconfigure Citrix Studio policies.
SlimCore-based optimization will not be available until the Citrix Studio policy that allows virtual channels is updated.
Users will miss out on new Teams features and performance improvements.
Microsoft will deprecate WebRTC optimization in a future update.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-09-17
updated:
2025-09-17
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Performance Degradation
If the Citrix Studio policies are not updated to whitelist the necessary virtual channels, users will experience degraded performance as Microsoft Teams will revert to using the legacy WebRTC-based optimization, which is less efficient.
- roles: IT Administrators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list
Feature Limitations
Without the SlimCore optimization, users will miss out on new features such as Gallery view, QoS, and hardware acceleration, which are only available with the new optimization.
- roles: End Users, IT Administrators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint
Compliance Monitoring Challenges
Failure to enable SlimCore optimization may hinder admins' ability to monitor and report on compliance activities effectively, as enhanced session details will not be available.
- roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Monitoring and Reporting
With the implementation of SlimCore-based optimization, admins will gain access to enhanced session details in the Teams Admin Center and Call Quality Dashboard. This will improve visibility into user experiences and facilitate more effective troubleshooting.
- next-steps: Train IT staff on utilizing the new monitoring tools and establish a regular reporting schedule to analyze call quality and user experience metrics.
- roles: IT Administrators, Support Teams, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint
Improved User Experience
The new optimization unlocks features like Gallery view, QoS, and hardware acceleration, which can significantly enhance the user experience during Teams meetings, leading to higher user satisfaction and productivity.
- next-steps: Communicate the benefits of the new features to end-users and provide training sessions to help them utilize the new functionalities effectively.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders, HR Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#citrix-virtual-channel-allow-list
Streamlined IT Operations
Updating Citrix Studio policies to allow the new virtual channels can streamline IT operations by reducing the need for troubleshooting legacy WebRTC issues and improving overall system performance.
- next-steps: Create a checklist for updating Citrix policies and establish a timeline for implementation to ensure a smooth transition to the new optimization.
- roles: IT Administrators, System Engineers, Network Administrators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/vdi-2#step-2-plugin-installation-on-the-endpoint
Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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