MC708500 – (Updated) Changes to the Website tab in the new Teams client. (archived)

Product:

SharePoint, Teams

Platform:

Education, mobile, Web, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Retirement, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Starting mid-July 2024, Microsoft Teams will retire the ability to load websites inside the new Teams client when using the Website tab due to web security and privacy best practices. Users will be redirected to a new browser tab instead. EDU tenants will not be affected. Existing Website tabs will also be opened in a new browser tab. Encourage users to pin corresponding app tabs instead of URLs as website tabs.

Details:
Updated March 15, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Starting mid-July 2024 (previously April), Microsoft Teams will be retiring the ability to load websites inside the new Teams client when using the Website tab. These website links will open in a new browser tab instead. This is to better align with emerging best practices in web security and privacy while also improving the reliability of websites opened through this feature.
Please note that EDU tenants will not be impacted as we are still researching options on how to best provide a non-disruptive way to access websites for students and educators at a later date.
[When this will happen:]
We will begin rolling out this change in mid-July 2024 (previously early April).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2024-01-20

updated:
2024-03-16

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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Direct effects for Operations**

- Impact on IT Operations
- Increased support tickets related to user confusion and issues with accessing previously pinned website tabs.
- Roles impacted: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Technicians
- Need for additional training sessions or materials to educate users on the new method of accessing web content via app tabs instead of website tabs.
- Roles impacted: IT Trainers, Change Management Team

- Impact on IT Services
- Potential disruption in workflows for teams that heavily relied on website tabs for collaboration, leading to decreased productivity.
- Roles impacted: Project Managers, Team Leaders, Department Heads
- Increased reliance on browser security settings and configurations, which may require updates or changes to existing IT policies.
- Roles impacted: IT Security Team, Compliance Officers

- Impact on IT Users
- User frustration due to the change in accessing web content, especially for those who are accustomed to the previous functionality.
- Roles impacted: All Teams Users, End-Users across departments
- Possible loss of quick access to frequently used websites, leading to inefficiencies in daily tasks.
- Roles impacted: All Teams Users, Department Staff

- Impact on IT Administrators
- Increased workload for administrators to monitor and manage user feedback and issues arising from the change.
- Roles impacted: IT Administrators, System Administrators
- Need to update internal documentation and user guides to reflect the new process for accessing web content.
- Roles impacted: IT Documentation Specialists, Knowledge Management Team

- Dependencies and Interdependencies
- Changes may affect integrations with other applications that rely on website tabs, potentially leading to further disruptions.
- Roles impacted: Application Owners, Integration Specialists
- Coordination with Microsoft support for any unforeseen issues that may arise post-implementation, requiring additional resources.
- Roles impacted: IT Operations Managers, Vendor Management Team

References:
- Microsoft Teams Update Announcement: [Microsoft Blog](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2024/03/15/changes-to-the-website-tab-in-the-new-teams-client/)
- Best Practices for Web Security: [OWASP](https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/)

Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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