(Updated) New in Teams – open channels in dedicated windows

Message Center ID: MC1162964
Microsoft Teams
Stay Informed
New feature User impact
October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026
Desktop Mac

Summary

Microsoft Teams will enable users to open channels in separate windows for improved multitasking, rolling out worldwide from late October 2025 to late January 2026. This feature is enabled by default for all desktop users, requires no admin action, and does not affect existing functionality or policies.

Details

Updated December 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

[Introduction]

We're introducing a new productivity feature in Microsoft Teams: Open Channels in a New Window. This enhancement allows users to detach any channel from the main Teams client and view it in a separate window—supporting better multitasking and focus, especially in high-traffic or cross-functional collaboration scenarios.

This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 509110

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late October 2025 and is expected to complete by late January 2026 (previously late November 2025).

[How this affects your organization:]
  • Who is affected: All users of Microsoft Teams desktop client (Windows and macOS).
  • What will happen:
    • Users will find a new option to Pop out channel from the channel menu.

      • Screenshot 1: Entry point from left rail

          user settings

          Screenshot 2: entry point from channel header

          user settings

      • The channel will open in a separate window, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple channels.
      • There are no changes to existing Teams functionality or policies.
      • Feature will be enabled by default for all tenants.

    [What you can do to prepare:]
    • No admin action is required.
    • You may choose to:
      • Inform helpdesk and support staff of the new multitasking capability.
      • Update internal training or documentation if you provide Teams usage guidance.

    [Compliance considerations:]

    No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

    Related Roadmap Items

    🗺️ Roadmap ID: 509110

    Change History

    Published: September 30, 2025
    Last Updated: December 16, 2025
    December 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM Updated
    Summary
    Previous
    Microsoft Teams will allow users to open channels in separate windows for better multitasking, rolling out worldwide from late October to November 2025. This feature is enabled by default for all desktop users, requires no admin action, and does not affect existing policies or compliance.
    New
    Microsoft Teams will enable users to open channels in separate windows for improved multitasking, rolling out worldwide from late October 2025 to late January 2026. This feature is enabled by default for all desktop users, requires no admin action, and does not affect existing functionality or policies.
    Last Updated Date
    Previous
    2025-10-17T17:23:07.907Z
    New
    2025-12-16T19:31:29.173Z
    Body Content
    Previous

    Updated October 17, 2025: We have updated the message to reference the corresponding Roadmap item.

    [Introduction]

    We're introducing a new productivity feature in Microsoft Teams: Open Channels in a New Window. This enhancement allows users to detach any channel from the main Teams client and view it in a separate window—supporting better multitasking and focus, especially in high-traffic or cross-functional collaboration scenarios.

    This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 509110

    [When this will happen:]

    General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late October 2025 and is expected to complete by late November 2025.

    [How this affects your organization:]
    • Who is affected: All users of Microsoft Teams desktop client (Windows and macOS).
    • What will happen:
      • Users will find a new option to Pop out channel from the channel menu.

        • Screenshot 1: Entry point from left rail

            user settings

            Screenshot 2: entry point from channel header

            user settings

        • The channel will open in a separate window, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple channels.
        • There are no changes to existing Teams functionality or policies.
        • Feature will be enabled by default for all tenants.

      [What you can do to prepare:]
      • No admin action is required.
      • You may choose to:
        • Inform helpdesk and support staff of the new multitasking capability.
        • Update internal training or documentation if you provide Teams usage guidance.

      [Compliance considerations:]

      No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

      New

      Updated December 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

      [Introduction]

      We're introducing a new productivity feature in Microsoft Teams: Open Channels in a New Window. This enhancement allows users to detach any channel from the main Teams client and view it in a separate window—supporting better multitasking and focus, especially in high-traffic or cross-functional collaboration scenarios.

      This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 509110

      [When this will happen:]

      General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late October 2025 and is expected to complete by late January 2026 (previously late November 2025).

      [How this affects your organization:]
      • Who is affected: All users of Microsoft Teams desktop client (Windows and macOS).
      • What will happen:
        • Users will find a new option to Pop out channel from the channel menu.

          • Screenshot 1: Entry point from left rail

              user settings

              Screenshot 2: entry point from channel header

              user settings

          • The channel will open in a separate window, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple channels.
          • There are no changes to existing Teams functionality or policies.
          • Feature will be enabled by default for all tenants.

        [What you can do to prepare:]
        • No admin action is required.
        • You may choose to:
          • Inform helpdesk and support staff of the new multitasking capability.
          • Update internal training or documentation if you provide Teams usage guidance.

        [Compliance considerations:]

        No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

        October 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM Updated
        Title
        Previous
        New in Teams – open channels in dedicated windows
        New
        (Updated) New in Teams – open channels in dedicated windows
        Summary
        Previous
        Microsoft Teams will let users open channels in separate windows for better multitasking, rolling out worldwide from late October to November 2025. This feature is enabled by default for all desktop users, requires no admin action, and does not affect existing functionality or policies.
        New
        Microsoft Teams will allow users to open channels in separate windows for better multitasking, rolling out worldwide from late October to November 2025. This feature is enabled by default for all desktop users, requires no admin action, and does not affect existing policies or compliance.
        Last Updated Date
        Previous
        2025-09-30T23:21:17.523Z
        New
        2025-10-17T17:23:07.907Z
        Tags
        Previous
        New feature,User impact
        New
        Updated message,New feature,User impact
        Body Content
        Previous
        [Introduction]

        We're introducing a new productivity feature in Microsoft Teams: Open Channels in a New Window. This enhancement allows users to detach any channel from the main Teams client and view it in a separate window—supporting better multitasking and focus, especially in high-traffic or cross-functional collaboration scenarios.

        [When this will happen:]

        General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late October 2025 and is expected to complete by late November 2025.

        [How this affects your organization:]
        • Who is affected: All users of Microsoft Teams desktop client (Windows and macOS).
        • What will happen:
          • Users will find a new option to Pop out channel from the channel menu.

            • Screenshot 1: Entry point from left rail

                user settings

                Screenshot 2: entry point from channel header

                user settings

            • The channel will open in a separate window, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple channels.
            • There are no changes to existing Teams functionality or policies.
            • Feature will be enabled by default for all tenants.

          [What you can do to prepare:]
          • No admin action is required.
          • You may choose to:
            • Inform helpdesk and support staff of the new multitasking capability.
            • Update internal training or documentation if you provide Teams usage guidance.

          [Compliance considerations:]

          No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

          New

          Updated October 17, 2025: We have updated the message to reference the corresponding Roadmap item.

          [Introduction]

          We're introducing a new productivity feature in Microsoft Teams: Open Channels in a New Window. This enhancement allows users to detach any channel from the main Teams client and view it in a separate window—supporting better multitasking and focus, especially in high-traffic or cross-functional collaboration scenarios.

          This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 509110

          [When this will happen:]

          General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late October 2025 and is expected to complete by late November 2025.

          [How this affects your organization:]
          • Who is affected: All users of Microsoft Teams desktop client (Windows and macOS).
          • What will happen:
            • Users will find a new option to Pop out channel from the channel menu.

              • Screenshot 1: Entry point from left rail

                  user settings

                  Screenshot 2: entry point from channel header

                  user settings

              • The channel will open in a separate window, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple channels.
              • There are no changes to existing Teams functionality or policies.
              • Feature will be enabled by default for all tenants.

            [What you can do to prepare:]
            • No admin action is required.
            • You may choose to:
              • Inform helpdesk and support staff of the new multitasking capability.
              • Update internal training or documentation if you provide Teams usage guidance.

            [Compliance considerations:]

            No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

            Platforms
            Previous
            New
            New
            Desktop, Mac

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