Microsoft is set to make significant changes to its communication tools, signaling a shift in how users will interact and collaborate. With the impending retirement of Skype, users are encouraged to transition to Microsoft Teams, and the tech giant is rolling out new features and migration tools to enhance this experience.
As part of this transition, Microsoft will officially close Skype on May 5, 2025. To ensure a smooth move for users, the company is emphasizing the importance of switching to Teams, where similar features—such as file sharing, chats, and calls—will be available. Users will be able to maintain their current Skype login information when accessing Teams, and all contacts and chat histories will migrate seamlessly, alleviating concerns about losing important data.
Alongside this migration, Microsoft is discontinuing new purchases of Skype Credit and subscriptions for international and domestic calls. Existing users holding active subscriptions will be allowed to continue using their credits until the end of their next renewal period. Even after the transition, the Skype Dial Pad will remain accessible to remaining paid users through the Skype web portal and in Microsoft Teams.
In addition to the migration tool, Microsoft is developing a new feature for Teams, enabling multiple users to control slide presentations simultaneously during calls. This update, expected to launch alongside the migration tool in May 2025, aims to facilitate smoother presentations without relying on a single presenter to share control.
Currently listed as “in development,” the slide control feature will first be available on the Windows version of Teams. This advancement was anticipated by many, as users have long expressed the need for a more interactive experience during presentations. As Microsoft states, the feature will enable hosts to share control of slides with fellow presenters, eliminating tedious manual slide changes and ensuring a more engaging meeting atmosphere.
This new feature accompanies other recent updates aimed at enhancing usability on Teams. One such addition is real-time text (RTT) capabilities, which allow participants to type messages alongside spoken content during meetings. This function ensures that users who prefer textual communication can express their thoughts simultaneously with verbal discussions.
Microsoft is positioning Teams as a more versatile platform compared to Skype, highlighting enhanced communication features such as calendar management and community-building tools. With the integration of these new functionalities, Teams is set to be the go-to solution for professionals seeking collaborative tools in a streamlined environment.
The Migration Tool, launching in the Microsoft Admin Center (MAC) this May, will assist administrators in connecting third-party platforms to Teams, consolidating content migration without losing any data. This means that all files, messages, and other data can easily transition to standard channels in Teams, making the switch from other platforms a straightforward process.
Microsoft's dual approach not only aims to facilitate the transition for Skype users but also to attract new users to Microsoft Teams by providing a rich set of features tailored for improved communication.
As these updates unfold, users are urged to continually assess their current communication setups and to explore the benefits of migrating their workflows to Microsoft Teams for a more integrated and effective experience.
