Information Technology Services > Microsoft Teams Chat to Open in Microsoft Edge Browser, Late September

Microsoft Teams Chat to Open in Microsoft Edge Browser, Late September

In late September, Microsoft will introduce a new feature for the Microsoft Teams desktop application on Windows. The new feature will allow users to open web links from Teams chats in Microsoft Edge, offering a unified web and chat side-by-side experience directly within the browser.

Only links set to open via a web browser will be affected. Links that are set to open in a client app or within Teams itself will continue to do so. This change will also only apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices; there will be no impact for the Teams desktop application on Mac.

Eliminating the need to switch between applications to view web content and continue virtual conversations, the Teams chat window will appear in the Microsoft Edge sidebar when Teams web links open in the browser. The Edge sidebar will also show recent chats and allow users to initiate new conversations. Please note that no other Teams functionality will be available on the Edge sidebar with this upcoming change.

When Microsoft enables this feature, the Teams desktop application on Windows will automatically set Microsoft Edge as the default browser for opening web links. This will not affect a device’s default browser setting in Windows for other applications.

Users, however, will continue to have flexibility in selecting their preferred browser for opening Teams links and can decide whether they want to maintain the current link flow with browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox or opt into the new Edge-Teams experience at any time. To assist with this, Teams will offer a new setting configuration for enabling or disabling the feature: Open Teams on Windows > Settings > Files and links > Link open preference > Select desired browser from the dropdown menu.

With the new feature rollout in Teams for Windows, WSU users will be able to easily access, read, and respond to messages and shared web content without disruptive task switching. The new integration between Microsoft Edge and Teams will enhance workflow and help users stay engaged in collaborative conversations while browsing the web, facilitating a smoother virtual experience.

Tentatively scheduled in late September, there may not be additional advance notification prior to implementation. Information Technology Services (ITS) asks that you please review the following support documentation prior to late September to learn more about the new feature and best assist WSU users with this change when it arrives:

Please contact Crimson Service Desk via email at crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu or phone at 509-335-4357 for any questions or concerns.