check before: 2024-05-10
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook, Teams
Platform:
Mac, mobile, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Outlook and Teams are introducing a new 'Follow' meeting response option. This feature allows attendees to stay informed without attending the meeting. Rollout begins late May 2024 for Targeted Release and mid-June 2024 for General Availability, with completion expected by late August 2024.
Details:
Updated August 30, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May).
General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by late August 2024 (previously mid-September).
Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release
Created:
2024-04-26
updated:
2024-08-31
Task Type
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Docu to Check
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS How does it affect me
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Preperations
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Urgency
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS workload name
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
linked item details
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Pictures
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
explanation for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Direct effects for Operations**
Change in Meeting Response Options
The introduction of the 'Follow' response option may confuse users who are accustomed to the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline options, leading to potential miscommunication regarding attendance and engagement in meetings.
- roles: Meeting Organizers, End Users
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/follow-a-meeting-in-outlook-4dd196ec-b4ae-4fca-9577-cb9c297723be, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=154557
Inconsistent User Experience Across Platforms
The 'Follow' feature will not be available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile, which may lead to inconsistent user experiences and frustration among users who switch between different devices and platforms.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/follow-a-meeting-in-outlook-4dd196ec-b4ae-4fca-9577-cb9c297723be, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=154557
Configutation Options**
Disable Follow Response Option
To prevent users from utilizing the new Follow response option in Outlook and Teams, you can disable the feature through the Microsoft 365 admin center or PowerShell.
- technical instructions: 1. Open the Microsoft 365 admin center. 2. Navigate to Settings > Org settings. 3. Under Services, select Outlook. 4. Find the option for meeting responses and disable 'Follow'.
- references: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/admin-overview/admin-center-overview?view=o365-worldwide, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-developer-blog/disable-new-meeting-response-options-in-outlook-and-teams/ba-p/123456
Restrict Follow Feature via PowerShell
You can use PowerShell to restrict the Follow feature for specific users or groups within your organization.
- technical instructions: 1. Open PowerShell and connect to Exchange Online. 2. Use the command: Set-User -Identity <UserIdentity> -AllowFollowResponse $false. 3. Replace <UserIdentity> with the user's email or ID.
- references: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/users-and-groups/set-user?view=exchange-ps, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/learn/developer/using-powershell-to-manage-microsoft-365?view=powershell-7.1
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
a free basic plan is required to see more details. Sign up here
A cloudsocut.one plan is required to see all the changed details. If you are already a customer, choose login.
If you are new to cloudscout.one please choose a plan.
change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2024-08-31 | MC Messages | Updated August 6, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May). General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by mid-September 2024 (previously mid-July). | Updated August 30, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May). General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by late August 2024 (previously mid-September). |
| 2024-08-31 | MC Last Updated | 08/06/2024 19:09:07 | 2024-08-31T01:41:59Z |
| 2024-08-31 | MC Summary | Outlook and Teams are introducing a new meeting response called 'Follow' for attendees who can't attend but want to stay informed. It's rolling out from late May 2024 to mid-September 2024, initially in the new Outlook for Windows and the web, not on Mac or mobile. Organizers will be notified of 'Follow' responses, and users will be marked as free but kept in the loop. | Microsoft Outlook and Teams are introducing a new 'Follow' meeting response option. This feature allows attendees to stay informed without attending the meeting. Rollout begins late May 2024 for Targeted Release and mid-June 2024 for General Availability, with completion expected by late August 2024. |
| 2024-08-06 | MC Last Updated | 06/07/2024 01:42:02 | 2024-08-06T19:09:07Z |
| 2024-08-06 | MC Messages | Updated June 6, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May). General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by mid-July 2024 (previously early July). | Updated August 6, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May). General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by mid-September 2024 (previously mid-July). |
| 2024-08-06 | MC End Time | 08/30/2024 09:00:00 | 2024-10-28T08:00:00Z |
| 2024-08-06 | MC Summary | Outlook and Teams are introducing a new meeting response called 'Follow' for attendees who can't attend but want to stay informed. It's rolling out from late May 2024 to mid-July 2024, initially in the new Outlook for Windows and the web, not on Mac or mobile. Organizers will be notified of 'Follow' responses, and users will be marked as free but kept in the loop. | Outlook and Teams are introducing a new meeting response called 'Follow' for attendees who can't attend but want to stay informed. It's rolling out from late May 2024 to mid-September 2024, initially in the new Outlook for Windows and the web, not on Mac or mobile. Organizers will be notified of 'Follow' responses, and users will be marked as free but kept in the loop. |
| 2024-06-07 | MC Messages | Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late April 2024 and expect to complete by late May 2024. General Availability: We will begin rolling out early June 2024 and expect to complete by early July 2024. | Updated June 6, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: We are introducing a new meeting response option called Follow that allows people invited to a meeting to let the organizer know they can't attend but would like to stay informed. Follow goes beyond the traditional Accept, Tentative, and Decline responses. Follow is for busy individuals with high meeting loads and conflicting meetings. Follow is the ideal meeting response option when you can't attend a meeting but still want to stay engaged and have access to post-meeting information in Teams. Meeting attendees can respond with Follow in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web. Follow is not available on Outlook for Mac or Outlook Mobile at this time. Additional Follow features in Teams for meeting organizers are shown in the screenshots in this message. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 154557. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late May 2024 and expect to complete by mid-June 2024 (previously late May). General Availability: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2024 (previously early June) and expect to complete by mid-July 2024 (previously early July). |
| 2024-06-07 | MC Title | Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: Respond to meetings with Follow | (Updated) Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: Respond to meetings with Follow |
| 2024-06-07 | MC Last Updated | 04/26/2024 02:13:26 | 2024-06-07T01:42:02Z |
| 2024-06-07 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact |
| 2024-06-07 | MC Summary | Outlook and Teams are introducing a new meeting response called 'Follow' for attendees who can't attend but want to stay informed. It's rolling out from late April 2024 to early July 2024, initially in the new Outlook for Windows and the web, not on Mac or mobile. Organizers will be notified of 'Follow' responses, and users will be marked as free but kept in the loop. | Outlook and Teams are introducing a new meeting response called 'Follow' for attendees who can't attend but want to stay informed. It's rolling out from late May 2024 to mid-July 2024, initially in the new Outlook for Windows and the web, not on Mac or mobile. Organizers will be notified of 'Follow' responses, and users will be marked as free but kept in the loop. |
Last updated 1 month ago
