Microsoft has begun formally rolling out the Home windows 11 2023 Replace (aka Home windows 11 23H2) on Halloween with an surprising deal with: a redo of the “Chat” perform inside Home windows 11.

Microsoft started rolling out “Second 4” of Home windows 11 this week, aka the Home windows 11 2023 Replace, with a complete listing of options that features Copilot’s AI chatbot. Microsoft formally introduced the rollout on Tuesday morning. Microsoft is describing this as a “cumulative” rollup replace, so that you’ll get all the options Microsoft has introduced beforehand.

There’s yet one more. Now, Home windows has revamped the “Chat” perform on the Home windows desktop with what Microsoft is asking “Microsoft Groups (free),” pulling a bland masks excessive of the identical horrible idea as earlier than. Now there’s a Halloween horror film for you!

Let’s be clear: I despise the Chat perform in Home windows 11. My employer makes use of Groups as a company videoconferencing app, and I’ve no points utilizing it. The video chat is purposeful, chat works acceptably, and it seems to be pretty straightforward to share your display. However Groups works finest as a enterprise device, and I draw the road at pulling a “Chat” masks excessive of it for private use. I have already got sufficient methods to contact and keep in contact with buddies, and the very last thing I wish to do remind them of their workday by utilizing Groups. Whereas I don’t thoughts telling readers the right way to arrange Groups Chat, I additionally need you to know the right way to take away it.

With that stated, Microsoft has admittedly made an effort to replace “Microsoft Groups (free),” even when it’s inexplicably chosen one of many weirder model names in expertise historical past. Two options stand out: a compact mini view that permits you progress the Groups window round your desktop, and an SMS integration along with your cellphone.

The latter places Groups nearer to Your Cellphone — one of many higher apps in Home windows 11. Your Cellphone means that you can ship and obtain messages and cellphone calls from inside Home windows, work together along with your cellphone’s apps and desktop, and extra — even when Intel’s Unison app does a lot of the identical factor, and with iPhones, in addition. With Microsoft Groups (free), you’ll be capable to use the app to ship Groups messages or SMS chats, relying upon preferences and availability.

Mark Hachman / IDG

The brand new UI nonetheless retains among the varied methods to speak to different individuals — Meet, Chat, and Individuals — however places them in a denser, extra compact field that you may transfer round.

In the event you do handle to persuade a bunch of buddies to maintain up with one another on Groups, you can begin a Group. Microsoft is including Channels to the Group function, so you’ll be able to sub-divide the knowledge that these members see and provide them specialised notifications.

Microsoft can be tying Microsoft Groups (free) to different Home windows parts, like a plug in to the Sport Bar. The Groups “Play Collectively” widget on Sport Bar means that you may see your folks gameplay as you play your individual recreation.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Will these new options change my thoughts about Groups’ integration into Home windows? I doubt it. However kudos to Microsoft for investing the hassle into enhancements.