MC814583 – (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Ability to rename General channel

Product:

Teams

Platform:

US Instances, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

395931

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Teams is introducing the ability for team owners to rename the General channel based on feedback. This feature will be rolled out from early August to early September 2024, depending on the release schedule. Organizations are advised to update their documentation accordingly. The feature is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 395931.

Details:
Updated August 30, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Based on customer feedback, we are introducing the ability to provide a meaningful name to the General channel in a new or existing team. The General channel can be renamed by the team owners to show up in the teams' and channels' list of all members in alphabetical order.
In addition, Microsoft Teams users must also set a name for the first channel during team creation within the Microsoft Teams client. Instead of "General" as the default name, the first channel of a new team must be given another name, providing the flexibility to provide a specific and more meaningful channel name.
"General" cannot be used for the first channel name for new teams, and for an existing General channel that has been renamed, it cannot be changed back to the "General" name.
To create a new team from the Microsoft Teams client, navigate to the + button in the header and select New team from the context menu. Users can name the first-created channel in this team during this step (it will no longer be named General by default). This channel cannot be archived or deleted, and it will appear in alphabetical order with the other channels in that team.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 395931
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late August 2024 (previously early August) and expect to complete by early September 2024 (previously mid-August).
General Availability
Worldwide: We will begin rolling out late August 2024 and expect to complete by early September 2024.
GCC: We will begin rolling out early September 2024 and expect to complete by mid-September 2024.
GCC High: We will begin rolling out mid-September 2024 and expect to complete by late September 2024.
DoD: We will begin rolling out mid-September 2024 and expect to complete by late September 2024.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Standard Release

Created:
2024-07-16

updated:
2024-09-06

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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linked item details

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explanation for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Confusion
Renaming the General channel without proper communication may lead to confusion among users who are accustomed to the default naming convention, potentially disrupting their workflow.
   - roles: Team Members, Team Owners
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Documentation Inconsistency
If internal documentation is not updated to reflect the new naming conventions, users may struggle to find channels, leading to inefficiencies and frustration.
   - roles: IT Support, Team Owners
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Increased Support Requests
The change may result in an increase in support requests from users who are unclear about the new channel naming process, impacting IT resources.
   - roles: IT Support, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Configutation Options**

Rename General Channel
Team owners can rename the General channel to provide a meaningful name that appears in alphabetical order in the teams' and channels' list.
   - technical instructions: 1. Go to the team in Microsoft Teams. 2. Click on the 'More options' (three dots) next to the General channel. 3. Select 'Edit this channel'. 4. Enter the new name and click 'Save'.
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Set First Channel Name During Team Creation
When creating a new team, the first channel must be given a name other than 'General'.
   - technical instructions: 1. Click on the '+' button in the header of Microsoft Teams. 2. Select 'New team'. 3. During the creation process, provide a name for the first channel (it cannot be 'General').
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Restrict Renaming Back to General
Once the General channel is renamed, it cannot be changed back to 'General'.
   - technical instructions: No specific technical instructions available; this is a policy enforced by Microsoft Teams.
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters=&searchterms=395931

Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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