Microsoft releases new dynamic lock screen for Windows, community-based features for teams
Exciting news for Windows 11 and Teams users as Microsoft releases early builds hinting at upcoming features including improved search, community channels, and more.
New Delhi: Microsoft Windows and Teams are currently in development for exciting new updates. In a recent blog post, Microsoft shared the upcoming updates, including the dynamic lock screen on Windows 11 and new community-specific nicknames, improved search capabilities and more! Here you will find a detailed overview of all upcoming features and how to enable them.
The new dynamic lock screen on Windows 11
Richer weather experience on the lock screen. (Image source: Microsoft)
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23612, introducing a new dynamic weather experience on the lock screen with dynamic and interactive weather updates. When hovering over the weather information on the lock screen, users can see more information, and tapping or clicking on the weather card opens Microsoft Edge with the full forecast in MSN Weather. This new feature is available by default and can be disabled by changing the lock screen status to 'None'. The new weather experience is designed to give users a richer and more interactive lock screen experience.
How to enable a dynamic lock screen on Windows 11
The dynamic weather experience is available when the screen is locked, regardless of personalization options such as Image, Windows Spotlight, or Slideshow. Here are the steps to enable the dynamic weather experience on the lock screen in Windows 11:
- Go to Settings
- Select Personalization
- Then under Lock screen, find the status of the lock screen
- Select Weather.
- If you don't want to see this experience, you can change your lock screen status to 'None'.
Microsoft Teams community features and more
New features of MS Teams include community-based nicknames. (Image source: Microsoft)
The new features in the free version of Microsoft Teams bring several improvements to the platform. Users can now take advantage of community-specific nicknames and the ability to appoint community moderators, promoting a more personalized and curated community experience. Improved search capabilities make it easier to find and access relevant information within Teams. The addition of the ability to make calls in the new Teams app, including emergency calls, expands the communication options available to users.
How to set up community-based nicknames in Microsoft Teams
Follow these steps to set up community-specific nicknames in Microsoft Teams (free):
- Tap the profile of the person you want to set a nickname for.
- Tap “Set Nickname” and type the name you want. This nickname is only visible to members of your community.
If users have access to an edit icon in their profile, they can set it themselves. However, if the organization controls the ID information and does not allow updates, someone with access must change the “display name” in Active Directory (AD) or Azure Active Directory (AAD).
Other updates for Microsoft Teams
Community channels, banners and easy email search are some of the new features introduced in Microsoft Teams. Here's what you need to know about each of these features:
- Community channels– This feature allows users to create and join communities, host events, collaborate with community members via chat or share files and photos, and manage community membership. To use this feature, sign in with a Microsoft account and follow the prompts to create or join a community.
- Banners: Banners are a new way to highlight important messages in Teams. They appear at the top of the screen and can be customized with different colors and text. To create a banner, go to the channel or chat where you want to post the message, click the “Format” icon and select “Banner.”
- Easy search with email: This feature allows users to search (for free) for messages and files in Teams using their email address. This can be useful for finding information related to a specific project or conversation. To use this feature, simply enter your email address in the search bar and select 'Search with email'.
These features are intended to improve the user experience and support community needs within the Microsoft Teams platform.