Microsoft 365: Windows 11 Office Apps Auto Install
Microsoft 365 Companion Apps: New Windows 11 Features Aim to Boost Productivity
Microsoft is rolling out a new suite of companion apps for Microsoft 365, designed to enhance productivity directly from the Windows 11 taskbar. These lightweight applications - People,File Search,and Calendar – offer quick access to key tools and streamline workflows. Currently available to Microsoft 365 Insider Program members,these apps represent a focused effort to improve how users interact with core Microsoft 365 functionalities.
What are the Microsoft 365 Companion Apps?
Announced on the Microsoft Tech Community website, the companion apps are built around the principle of fast, focused task completion. They aim to reduce friction when accessing frequently used features within Microsoft 365.
people: Quick Access to Contacts and organization
The People app resides on the Windows 11 taskbar, providing instant access to profile cards and organizational charts. Users can quickly locate colleagues, send messages, and search for individuals within their organization. This eliminates the need to open the full Teams or outlook request for simple contact-related tasks.
File Search: Faster file Finding and Sharing
File Search is designed to dramatically improve file finding and sharing. A key feature is the ability to locate files without knowing the exact file name. Furthermore, users can preview files directly within the app before sharing, ensuring they’re sending the correct document. This addresses a common pain point for many Microsoft 365 users.
Calendar: Streamlined Scheduling
Microsoft has recently revealed Calendar as another companion app in development. Details are still emerging, but it’s expected to offer a simplified view of upcoming appointments and meetings, accessible directly from the taskbar.
Windows 11 Exclusive & Current Availability
Currently, the Microsoft 365 companion apps are exclusively available for Windows 11 users who meet the following criteria:
Membership in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program for business.
Installation of Microsoft 365 desktop apps.
Running the Windows 11 operating system.
This limited rollout suggests Microsoft is initially targeting Microsoft 365 Business and enterprise customers. While individual users could benefit from features like File Search, the People and Calendar apps are likely more valuable in a collaborative organizational setting.
Automatic Installation & Administrator control
The companion apps are rolling out automatically to eligible systems, as detailed on the Microsoft 365 roadmap. Microsoft describes them as a suite designed to “enhance productivity through quick access to key tools directly from the Windows 11 taskbar.”
Administrators have the ability to opt-out of the automatic installation process via the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center. Navigate to Customization > Device Configuration > Modern Apps Settings and uncheck “Enable automatic installation of Microsoft 365 companion apps” after selecting microsoft 365 companion apps (preview).
It’s vital to note that disabling automatic installation prevents future* installations but will not remove apps already installed. Users retain the ability to disable automatic startup and pin/unpin the apps to their taskbar as desired.