Microsoft unveiled a faster, redesigned version of its Microsoft Teams communications and collaboration software that began rolling out to Windows users today as a preview.

The company describes the new Teams client as being twice as fast and consuming 50% less memory and up to 70% less disk space compared to the current application (Classic).

It will also launch three times faster, allowing users to switch between chats and channels up to 1.7 times faster than classic teams.

Redmond expects it to become generally available from June 2023 after eliminating all types based on customer feedback received during the preview phase.

“The new app is all about speed, performance, flexibility and intelligence, delivering up to twice the performance while using 50% less memory, saving you time and collaborate more effectively.” said Jeff Teper, President of Collaborative Applications and Platforms at Microsoft.

“We’ve also streamlined the user experience so it’s simpler to use and easier to find everything in one place.

“These enhancements also provide the foundation for groundbreaking new AI-powered experiences, such as Copilot for Microsoft Teams, announced earlier this month.”

The new Microsoft Teams also includes support for Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that will help users get up to speed before joining a meeting and help them answer questions in real time while chatting. with their colleagues.

While those of public preview program can immediately access the new teams via the “Try the new teams” toggle, if you are in the Narrowcast Programyou will have access to the preview version of Teams from mid-April 2023.

Admins will have the option to sign up for the Teams preview program for production users through the The teams update the management policywhich will select which users will see the preview toggle to access new teams.

“The new Teams initially support Windows Intel, AMD, and ARM platforms and will be available for all major platforms, including web, M1, M2, and Intel native Macs, and VDI,” said Sumi Singh, Corporate Vice President for Teams Engineering, in a separate blog post.

“We plan to share significant performance gains as support for each of these platforms is released.”

In November, Microsoft also announcement that the Classic app was 30% faster on chat and channel changes, while in June it revealed improved latency and page load times for mailbox uploads and message composition.

Microsoft Teams has seen a massive influx of users since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive shift to remote working, with the platform now used by 280 million each month.