How to get started with the Chat app on Windows 11

Windows 11 has a new Chat experience, and in this guide, we’ll show you how to get started.

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Windows 11 also comes with Chat, a new communication experience that’s part of the consumer version ofMicrosoft Teams. The integration is meant to include a user-friendly application to allow Windows users to connect with friends and family outside of work with text messages and video calls without downloading or installing anything else.

In addition, the integration lets you create and schedule meetings and make group video and audio calls. The Chat from Microsoft Teams integration is straightforward, but there’s an initial setup you need to go through and some features you need to know to make the most out of it onWindows 11.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to remove the Chat button from the Taskbar and uninstall the consumer version of Teams.

How to set up Chat on Windows 11

To set up Chat for the first time, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, you can begin sending text messages or starting video calls.

How to use Chat on Windows 11

Using the Chat app, you can connect using text, video, or audio with one or multiple people.

One to one text chat

To start a text conversation, use these steps:

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You can also hover over a message to react to it using emojis, and you can use open the menu to access the other options, such as to reply, edit, or remove the message. If you want to add more people to the conversation, click theAdd peoplebutton on the top-right corner.

One to many text chat

To start a group chat on Windows 11, use these steps:

Start group video call

To start a video call with Windows 11 Chat, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, people should be able to join the video call. The interface for video calls is similar to the full version of Teams with options to show participants, chat using text messages, raise your hand, share screen, turn on or off the microphone and camera, and end the call.

You can use these steps to start a video call with one or multiple people. If you have a recent chat with a particular person, you can click theChatbutton, hover over the recent conversation, and click theVideocall button to start the call. While in the chat, you can also click theVideo callorAudio Callwith the buttons at the top right.

How to use Microsoft Teams on Windows 11

As part of the integration, you also get the consumer version of Microsoft Teams, which you can use to view your activities, chat with multiple people, view the calendar, join or create a meeting, and customize various settings.

Navigating Teams app

To navigate the Teams apps, use these steps:

Change settings

The consumer version of Microsoft Teams also lets you adjust various settings. For example, you can stop the app from always starting automatically as you sign into your account. You can customize the notification experience, contacts, and more.

To change the Microsoft Teams settings, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the new settings will apply to the Chat from Microsoft Teams experience on Windows 11.

Schedule group call

To schedule a video call (or meeting), use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the meeting will appear in the Calendar section. At the time of the meeting, participants only need to click the link to join via the web or Chat integration of Windows 11.

Set availability status

To set a status for Chat from Microsoft Teams experience, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the new status will be reflected on your profile.

How to remove Chat on Windows 11

You have two ways to remove Chat. You can simply remove the button from the Taskbar, or you can completely uninstall the integration.

Remove Chat button from Taskbar

To hide the Chat button from the Taskbar, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the Taskbar will no longer show the Chat button, but the consumer version of Teams will still be available on Windows 11.

If you never set up the application, you do not need to do anything else. Otherwise, after removing the Chat button, the Teams app will continue to run in the background. If you want to keep the app, but you don’t want to run in the background, open the Microsoft Teams app, click the three-dotted menu button, select theSettingsoption, and clear in theGeneraltab theAuto-start Teamsoption.

Uninstall Chat

To completely remove the Chat from Microsoft Teams with the Settings app, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the Chat from Microsoft Teams integration will be removed from Windows 11.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.