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Bulk Deploying the New Microsoft Teams Client: A Comprehensive Guide

Bulk Deploying the New Microsoft Teams Client: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

With the advent of remote work and digital collaboration, Microsoft Teams has emerged as a pivotal tool for businesses worldwide. Organizations with expansive operations often face the challenge of deploying this essential piece of software across multiple systems. The good news is, Microsoft has made this easier than ever with direct or "bulk" deployments. This blog post aims to provide you with an in-depth guide on how to bulk deploy the new Microsoft Teams client to computers within your organization.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Teams Installer

Before diving into the deployment steps, it's crucial to understand the Teams installer. Microsoft provides an executable (.exe) file for the new Teams client, allowing you to deploy the application directly to the computers in your organization. This installer makes use of the Teams MSIX package, ensuring seamless interoperability with Office and other Microsoft software.

Key Features:

  • TeamsBootstrapper: A lightweight online installer with a headless command-line interface.
  • Interoperability: Ensures that Teams can operate correctly with Office and other Microsoft software.

How the Bulk Deployment Works

The TeamsBootstrapper serves as the backbone of the installation process. Here's a breakdown of how it operates:

  1. Download the Latest Package: When teamsbootstrapper.exe is run on a target computer, it downloads the latest Teams MSIX package from Microsoft.
  2. Install for All Users: The installer provisions the Teams application for all users on the computer and for any users added in the future.
  3. Version Replacement: If a different version of Teams is already installed, it will be replaced with the provisioned version.
  4. Registry Modification: The installer modifies the computer's registry settings to allow Teams to work with other applications.
  5. Feedback: A success or failure message will be displayed on the command line.

Prerequisites for Target Computers

Before starting the installation, ensure that the target computers meet the following requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 version 10.0.19041 or higher
  • Classic Teams App: Version 1.6.00.4472 or later (only if you wish to enable switching between classic and new Teams)
  • Settings: Turn on the "Show Notification Banners" in System > Notifications > Microsoft Teams.
  • Sideloading: Ensure that app sideloading is enabled on every target computer.

Step-by-Step Deployment Guide

Option A: Single Computer Installation

  1. Download the Installer: Download the .exe installer.
  2. Run as Admin: Open the Command Prompt as an Admin.
  3. Install: At the prompt, enter ./teamsbootstrapper.exe -p
  4. Check Feedback: A success or failure message will display.

Option B: Organization-wide Deployment

  1. Download the Installer: Download the .exe installer.
  2. Use Management Tools: Use Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, or third-party software to distribute the installer.
  3. Run Installer: Execute the installer on each target computer.

Setting the New Teams as Default

  1. Sign In: Go to the Microsoft Teams admin center.
  2. Navigate: Select Teams > Teams Update policies.
  3. Create or Edit Policy: Add a new policy or edit an existing one to set the new Teams as the default client.

End-User Experience

After successful deployment, users can either:

  1. Launch Classic Teams and switch to the new Teams using the toggle.
  2. Directly Launch New Teams from the Start menu.

Conclusion

Bulk deploying the new Microsoft Teams client is an efficient way to ensure seamless communication and collaboration across your organization. By following this comprehensive guide, you can simplify the deployment process and improve your team’s productivity.

Location: London, UK

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