MC1152321 – (Updated) (Teams Premium) Customize the screen in Teams Town hall through “Manage what attendees see” (archived)

Product:

Teams, Teams Premium, Windows

Platform:

Mac, Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

491633

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Teams Premium will soon introduce "Manage what attendees see" for town hall events, allowing organizers to customize layouts, backgrounds, theme colors, and name tags. Available from late October 2025, this feature enhances attendee experience and requires no admin action before rollout.

Details:
Updated November 24, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Coming soon to Microsoft Teams: the new Manage what attendees see feature will empower organizers and presenters to deliver more engaging and professional town hall events. With enhanced customization options-including layouts, backgrounds, theme colors, and name tags-this update supports a visually rich experience. This feature is available exclusively to organizers with a Teams Premium license.
This update applies to Teams for Windows desktop, Mac desktop, web, and Teams Rooms.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 491633
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: early October 2025 - mid-October 2025
General Availability (Worldwide): late October 2025 - early December 2025 (previously early November)

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2025-09-13

updated:
2025-11-25

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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MS workload name

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Degradation
If the new customization features are rolled out without proper preparation, users may face confusion regarding the new layouts and settings, leading to a disorganized event experience.
   - roles: Organizers, Presenters
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?featureid=491633

Increased Support Requests
The introduction of new features without prior training or documentation may lead to an influx of support requests from users struggling to navigate the new options, impacting IT support resources.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Organizers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?featureid=491633

Configutation Options**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature called "Manage what attendees see" for town hall events, which will allow organizers to customize the visual aspects of their presentations. Think of it like setting the stage for a play. Just as a director can choose the backdrop, lighting, and props to create a certain atmosphere, Teams organizers can now select layouts, backgrounds, theme colors, and name tags to enhance the virtual experience for attendees.

This feature is specifically designed for those using Teams Premium and will be available on various platforms, including Windows desktop, Mac desktop, web, and Teams Rooms. It aims to make town hall events more engaging and professional by allowing presenters to tailor the visual setup to match the tone and style of their event.

Imagine hosting a dinner party. You wouldn't just serve food on any table; you'd likely choose a tablecloth, set the lighting, and perhaps add some flowers to create the right ambiance. Similarly, with this new Teams feature, organizers can create a visually appealing environment that aligns with their event's goals, making it more memorable for attendees.

The rollout of this feature will happen between late October and early December 2025, and it will be automatically enabled for new town hall events created after its release. No special actions are needed from IT administrators, but it's important for those organizing or presenting at town halls to be aware of this change. They should update any internal documentation and consider running a test session to familiarize themselves with the new controls.

Overall, this update is about giving organizers the tools to create a more polished and high-quality event, much like a director carefully crafting the perfect scene for their audience.