Update 17th February 2025: The below feature is to be rolled back and the related control removed from Teams settings. It will be replaced with “Suggestions for hiding inactive channels”, this change is available in Targeted Release now (see below image), but dates for General Availability are to be confirmed.
Microsoft: “Based on Admin feedback, we are updating the behavior for automated hiding of inactive channels to be opt-in (suggestions) only. With this update, Teams will offer users suggestions on channels that are inactive, and the user is prompted to review their inactive channels and hide them only if they choose. The settings are also updated to reflect this opt-in workflow. There are no changes to the on-demand hiding process.
This feature is enabled till Targeted Release, and we will roll out to General Availability later this year.
In the interim, we are disabling the current generally available version of the feature which requires users to opt-out as well as the settings, for all users. Please note that all users in the public or general ring will not see the setting or have any of their channels hidden automatically. We will re-introduce the updated feature later this year”.
TL;DR
Microsoft Teams will soon automatically hide your inactive channels. Now due mid-November 2024 to mid-January 2025.
Details
After this rollout, Teams will hide channels that have been inactive and notify you with the message: “We’re hiding some inactive channels for you”:
If you select View changes you can choose to keep the channels hidden or show them:
This feature will be on by default. Turn it off by heading to Teams > Settings > Chats and channels > Hide inactive channels:
Microsoft: “Inactive channels are identified based on the following criteria: if the user has not been active in the channel in the last 120 days – meaning there is no new messaging in the channel that the user has read or reacted to – the channel is considered inactive”.
AvailabilityDue mid-August to mid-September 2024.Now due mid-November 2024 to mid-January 2025.
Rolled back mid-February 2024.
Source, related links, and references
MC804771.
365 Roadmap ID 325780.
Images: Microsoft.
Ask a question
Discuss and share this update on X/Twitter, Threads or LinkedIn.
Suggested action
Please share this page with your colleagues so they can prepare for this update.
Page originally published
1st July 2024 and kept up to date.
See what else is late, new, and coming soon across M365 and Teams this month with the latest roundup.
🎦 Want to find innovative ways to drive efficiency across your organisation using the M365 apps you are already paying for, using just one person? Re-watch my webinar with The Inform Team: ‘Efficiency at its finest: Making sure innovation is at the heart of your organisation’. Watch on YouTube (30 mins).
