Microsoft blocks new Teams app in old Windows 10/11 versions

Microsoft is now reminding you once again of the schedule for the transition to the new Teams app. Older versions of Windows will be locked out, and a number of other platforms will also be shut out. What does this mean for users?

Teams are being changed

Microsoft has a new one Notification published in the admin center to inform users about the future status of the new Teams client on older Windows 10 and 11 versions. Microsoft is announcing further details about the planned switch to the new Teams app. User notifications advertising an upgrade will start shortly.

Users of current operating systems get more time

For users of Windows 10, Windows 11 and newer macOS versions, Microsoft significantly extended the transition phase. Updates will no longer be provided during the transition period, but the basic functionality will remain.

From October 15th there will be reports that users will have to switch. This initially affects customers with Windows 10 version 21H2 and older, Windows 10 and 11 LTSC (not Modern Lifecycle) and MacOS 11. For MacOS 12, the banner will then appear a month later. Soon, the app will require users to update their operating systems to continue supporting it – and then in a few months, Teams will be phased out entirely.

The Teams desktop client must run on a supported operating system version, Microsoft explains the decision. This is to ensure that users have the latest updates, features, performance improvements, security features and service compatibility. A version that is too out of date will become incompatible with the service and the desktop client will be blocked until the operating system is updated. The web-based version of Teams remains unaffected by these changes.

It will continue to be available in all supported web browsers and could provide an alternative for users of older systems.