How to Set Up and Use Chat in Windows 11

Microsoft played around with the idea of ​​local chat with the Skype-inspired My Contacts menu in Windows 10 and later removed it. With the upcoming Windows 11, Microsoft is integrating Chat (actually a simpler name for Microsoft Teams) into the taskbar. Here’s how to set up and use Chat in Windows 11.

Skype is no longer part of the default application suite in Windows 11. Microsoft Teams is here to replace the Skype experience on Windows. Microsoft Teams sweetens Chat. Let’s set it up.

Where is Chat in Windows 11?

After installing Windows 11 on your computer with compatible hardware, you will see the Chat icon on the taskbar right next to the Windows 11 widget menu.

Click on it and Chat opens to offer you contact suggestions. Before we know how to use Chat in Windows 11, let’s understand the difference between Chat in Windows 11 and the native Microsoft Teams app.

What’s the Difference Between Chat and Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a full-fledged Team communication app with audio/video calling and tons of other options. While Microsoft Teams powers Chat, it’s not exactly a simplified version of Teams.

Both Chat and Microsoft Teams are separate offerings with a different set of users in mind. Chat is aimed at regular consumers, while Teams is more of a corporate offering.

Your conversations in the Microsoft Teams app will stay in the same app. They do not appear in Chat. With the chat app, you can synchronize your Skype or Outlook contacts and invite others to join the platform directly.

Similarly, your Chat conversations will not appear in Microsoft Teams. It’s a bit confusing now. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft plans to differentiate both products.

How to Set Up Chat

While Microsoft claims Chat is for consumers, the Teams brand will confuse you once you sign up for the service.

The Teams name indicates that it is intended for group chats, which is not correct. We’ll see how Microsoft clears the confusion for general users. However, Microsoft may change its name when Windows 11 becomes available to everyone.

Here’s how to set up Chat in Windows 11.

Stage 1: In Windows 11, you will see the Chat icon in the taskbar.

Step 2: Click Get started.

Stage 3: Enter your first and last name and sync your contacts from Skype and Outlook. Essentially, you’re creating a Microsoft Teams account.

Step 4: Click Let’s go.

In a few moments, the Chat app will pull the contacts from the Teams app. You can click on any contact and start chatting.

Chat Features

If you use Microsoft Teams, you will find most of its features in Chat. Let’s take a look.

Text formatting

Users can use Bold, Italic, Underline, Highlighter and other formatting tools to customize text.

Add Media

Click on the little pin icon at the bottom and you can upload media from computer to send to chat. Unfortunately, there is no way to integrate files from OneDrive or Google Drive.

Send Emoji and GIF

Want to have some fun during conversations in Chat? The app has a special emoji and GIF panel to send your emoticon without saying a word.

Currently, Chats is still in the teething and testing phase. Things may change in the future. However, we do not expect the speed of the new features to be quite fast.

How to Disable Chat in Windows 11

If the Chat icon is bothering you in Windows 11, Microsoft has an option to remove it from the taskbar. Here’s how.

Use the Windows + I keys and open the Windows 11 Settings menu. Go to Personalization > Taskbar and disable Chat from the menu below.

Start Chatting in Windows 11

With the Skype-powered My People plugin, Microsoft offered an email integration. However, the new Chat is basic at best. We can only hope to see similar functionality in future Chat updates. Meanwhile, it’s clear why Microsoft wants a messaging app for regular users that looks the same as business professionals. While the color tones and similarity in interface are great, it can confuse many.

Considering that Windows 11 is still in the testing phase at the time of writing this article in August 2021, things may change when the final version of Chat is released. So now is a good time to give feedback.