Microsoft is introducing new applications for its Windows 11 operating system. These apps are designed to work with Microsoft 365. They aim to help you get your work done faster. Two of these new tools are the People app and the File Search app. Another one, called Calendar, is also on its way.
These small programs are called “companion apps.” Their main job is to keep you focused. They let you do things quickly without switching between different windows. For example, the People app will sit right on your taskbar. This makes it easy to find information about your coworkers.
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What Do These New Apps Do?
Let’s look at what each app offers. They are built to work smoothly with tools you may already use, like Microsoft Teams and OneDrive.
The People App
This tool helps you learn about people in your company. Before a meeting, you can quickly look someone up. You can see their job title, contact details, and where they fit in the company’s structure. You can also send a quick message through Teams without leaving the document you are working on. A helpful feature is the ability to search for people even if you don’t know their name. You can search by their department, location, or the projects they work on.
The File Search App
This app makes finding your files much easier. If you can’t remember a file’s name, you can search for it using words from inside the document. The app shows your most recent files on its main page. You can also filter your search by who shared the file or what type of file it is. Before you share a file, you can preview it to make sure it’s the right one. This avoids sending the wrong version or document.
These apps can be pinned to your taskbar. This means they are always in the same place and easy to access, no matter what you are doing on your computer.
How Do You Get These Apps?
These new companion apps are only for computers running Windows 11. They are not available for older versions of Windows. For now, they are being offered to users who are part of the Microsoft 365 Insider Program for Business. This means they are mainly for people using Microsoft 365 for work, in either Business or Enterprise plans. It is not yet clear if home users will get these apps.
One important thing to know is that these apps will be installed automatically. If your computer meets the requirements, the apps will show up without you needing to do anything.
Can You Stop the Automatic Installation?
If you are a system administrator and you don’t want these apps installed on your company’s computers, you can prevent it. You need to go to the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center. In the settings, you can turn off the automatic installation of these companion apps.
However, this only stops new installations. If the apps are already on a computer, this setting will not remove them. Individual users can choose to stop the apps from starting automatically when they turn on their computers. They can also pin or unpin the apps from the taskbar as they like.
These new tools from Microsoft are designed to make your workday a little smoother. They provide quick access to information and files, helping you stay focused and productive.