MC800850 – (Updated) Microsoft Teams: In Chat, “Files” will be renamed to “Shared” and get new features

Product:

Teams

Platform:

Mac, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Feature update, Updated message, User impact

Links:

396169

Details:

Summary:
In Microsoft Teams, the "Files" tab in Chat will be renamed to "Shared" and will include files, links, and upcoming features like image previews and keyword search. Rollout begins early September 2024, with full availability by late September 2024. No admin action is required for this update.

Details:
Updated August 2, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon in Microsoft Teams: Discover more content easily with the new Shared tab in Chat. After this rollout, the Files tab will be named Shared. The Shared tab will show files and links sent in a chat, in a new, richer format. Channels are not affected by this change. This message applies to Teams for Desktop and for Mac.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 396169.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early July 2024 and expect to complete by mid-July 2024.
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early September 2024 (previously mid-July) and expect to complete by late September 2024 (previously late July).

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

Created:
2024-06-12

updated:
2024-08-03

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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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Confusion
Users may be confused by the renaming of the 'Files' tab to 'Shared', leading to potential miscommunication and inefficiencies in locating shared documents.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=396169

Training and Documentation Needs
Existing training materials and documentation may become outdated, requiring updates to reflect the new 'Shared' tab features, which could lead to temporary user frustration.
   - roles: Training Coordinators, Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=396169

Feature Utilization
Users may not immediately understand or utilize the new features (image previews, keyword search) effectively, leading to underutilization of the tool's capabilities.
   - roles: End Users, Project Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=396169

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Teams is making a change that might feel like rearranging your office to make it more organized and efficient. Imagine you have a drawer labeled "Files" where you keep all your documents. Now, this drawer is being renamed to "Shared," and it's not just for documents anymore. It's like adding a section for links and other useful items, making it easier to find everything you've shared in one place.

This change will happen automatically, much like how your phone updates its apps without you needing to do anything. The "Shared" tab will include not only the files you’ve been used to seeing but also links that were sent in chats. Think of it as having a more comprehensive filing system that includes both paper documents and digital bookmarks.

In the near future, this "Shared" tab will also show previews of images and allow you to search for specific keywords, much like using a search engine to quickly find what you need. This will help you locate the right file or link without having to scroll through everything manually.

The update is scheduled to start rolling out in early September 2024 and should be available to everyone by the end of that month. You don't need to do anything to prepare for this change, but it might be helpful to let your team know about it, similar to how you would inform them about a new office layout. This way, everyone can take advantage of the new features as soon as they become available.