Microsoft Teams isn’t just for Office users anymore: With Windows 11, you can use it to chat with colleagues, friends, and family on any device, on any OS. Here’s how.
Teams —Microsoft’s free messaging, calling, and videoconferencing app—formerly exclusively targeted business users. Now open to consumers, it’s preinstalled on Windows 11 and available for Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, and the Web, too. For Windows 11 users, it’s right there in the middle of the newly centered taskbar. Though you may already use Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, or one of many other cross-platform messaging services, there’s no reason not to give Teams a shot. Here’s how. How to Set Up Teams on Windows 11 The first step to get started with Teams is dead simple: Click on this icon in the center of the taskbar: Right after this, you’ll see a welcome panel that briefs you on what the app can do: Sync Your Contacts As you may suspect, next you click Get Started. This will prompt you to sign in with your Microsoft account. After that, you sync contacts. (I’ve mixed it up in the following shot, using dark mode and left-aligning the taskbar): Now you’ll see contacts from your Microsoft account populating the Teams popup (I’ve erased personally identifiable information): Start Chatting Chances are good your contact won’t be using Teams yet (unless they’re a coworker), but don’t let that stop you from clicking on their entry.
