At Microsoft Ignite 2024, the company unveiled Microsoft 365 Companions, an exciting new feature for the Windows 11 taskbar. This addition is designed to streamline productivity by offering one-click access to essential information, including contacts, files, and calendar appointments, directly from the taskbar.
What are Microsoft 365 Companions?
Microsoft 365 Companions are an extension of the Windows 11 taskbar that integrates Microsoft 365 data directly to the user’s desktop. Pavan Davuluri, Windows lead, described the feature as a way to put “Microsoft 365 contacts, files, and calendar on your taskbar so your Graph data is just a click away.”
Inspired by the Mobile Link experience, it offers quick access to recent messages, calls, and even phone battery status without needing to open an app.
Benefits of Microsoft 365 Companions
- Quick Information Access: Users can easily view and interact with contacts, files, and calendar appointments directly from the taskbar, reducing the need to switch between apps.
- Enhanced Productivity: With all essential data readily available, users can manage tasks and schedules more efficiently.
- Streamlined Experience: The simple, user-friendly interface makes it easy to leverage Microsoft 365 tools effectively.
While Microsoft hasn’t fully detailed how this feature works, visuals shared at the event suggest that Microsoft 365 Companions could operate similarly to the previous Microsoft Teams taskbar integration. This opens up the exciting potential for third-party app developers to create taskbar integrations, further expanding Windows 11’s functionality.
