Microsoft is shutting down previous free teams – but don’t panic

Don’t panic: That’s always the motto when it comes to software conversions. For a while now, Microsoft Teams users have been receiving messages that draw their attention to the fact that the free version is being shut down today. That doesn’t mean an end to the free team.

Microsoft does it the Microsoft way

Microsoft has caused this confusion for itself and its customers, because – like in the past with OneNote – you have different versions of a program that is available in version A and version B. In addition, the notification email is somewhat confusing because the Redmond company initially only addresses the paid version of Teams and only reveals a little later that there is still a free version of the communication software.

The email initially said: “In (…) Microsoft Teams will be discontinued for free (classic). If you want to continue to log in after April 12, 2023 and keep access to your chats, files, scheduled meetings and other data, need to upgrade to a paid version of Teams.”

That certainly caused some shock moments, but the next paragraph already says: “If you want to continue using a free version of Teams, you can register for the new free Teams.” However, users switching from Microsoft Teams Classic to Microsoft Teams Free (the somewhat less confusing name in English) must remember that the previous data will not be transferred. Microsoft: “However, you can access the files in your current account and save them in a different location. You can do this until the following date: 04/12/2023.” So if you want to back up your data, you still have time today.

You can and must ask yourself how consistently Microsoft will pull through with the shutdown. Because Microsoft Teams Classic will officially no longer be available from tomorrow, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the software or data are “unofficially” available there for a while. Because how dr Windows indicates, writes Microsoft even that the old free Microsoft Teams will “no longer be offered” from tomorrow – no more, no less.

See also:

Office, chat, office 365, teams, microsoft 365, microsoft teams, microsoft teams logo