Windows 11 Chat app is now Microsoft Teams (free)

Back in 2021, Microsoft introduced Windows 11 Chat, a new communication experience powered by Microsoft Teams.

Unlike the full-fledged Teams app, the Windows 11 Chat app offered a lightweight experience and allowed users to quickly start a video call or chat with friends and family right from the taskbar. The Chat app was installed and pinned to the Taskbar on all Windows 11 devices.

This week, Microsoft released Windows 11 Preview Build 25921 to Canary Channel Insiders. Starting with this build, Microsoft is rebranding the Chat app to Microsoft Teams (free). Instead of a generic name like ‘Chat’, the mini communications experience will be Microsoft Teams (free).

This is just a branding change, so there is no difference in functionality. Like the Chat app, the Microsoft Teams – Free will be pinned by default to the taskbar and can be unpinned like other apps on the taskbar.

When you click Microsoft Teams – Free, the mini communications experience will appear using which you can chat, call, and meet with others within just a click or two. Also, you can place the mini window experience anywhere on your desktop. You can also switch to full Microsoft Teams – Free experience whenever required.

Microsoft also mentioned that Phone Link integration is coming soon to Microsoft Teams (free) as well.