Microsoft is bringing its popular online collaboration tool to its own store in hopes that more users will download Microsoft Teams for desktop.
While you can use Teams on the web or mobile via its iOS and Android apps, you'll need to download the desktop version if you want to take full advantage of the software. For example, the ability to blur backgrounds during video calls and make individual call recordings is only available in Teams for desktop.
According to a new Microsoft 365 roadmap post, the Microsoft Teams app for work, school, and life will soon be available for download from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and Windows 11 starting next month.
While you can currently download the Teams desktop app from the software giant's site, bringing it to the Microsoft Store can make it easier to find and install the app for those who are new to Windows, perhaps on a new business laptop or a student laptop. .
Track Teams app usage
As more companies embrace a hybrid working model, IT teams want to know how employees are using applications while working from home or in the office.
In a separate Microsoft 365 roadmap post, Microsoft revealed that an updated version of the Teams app usage report with line-of-business apps will also be available next month.
For those unfamiliar, the Teams app usage report provides admins with information about the apps employees use in Teams. From project management software to time tracking apps, there are a number of first-party and third-party apps available for teams that allow users to do even more with Microsoft's online collaboration software.
Once this update is generally available, admins will have a better idea of what apps people in their organization are using in Teams. This could help them set their IT budgets and decide which types of software are worth investing in to improve productivity.