Microsoft 365 is set to enhance user productivity and streamline workflows with the introduction of three new companion apps specifically designed for Windows 11: People, File Search, and Calendar. These applications aim to provide users with quick and seamless access to contacts, files, and calendar events directly from the taskbar.
Enhanced Access to Essential Features
The People app allows users to efficiently look up anyone within their organization, providing access to extensive contact information. By browsing through organizational charts, users can communicate with colleagues effectively. The File Search app further enhances productivity by allowing users to swiftly find Microsoft 365 files, preview their contents, send them to colleagues, and access recently used documents. Lastly, the Calendar app offers an integrated experience for managing and viewing upcoming events, joining meetings, and searching for appointments.
Powered by Microsoft Graph
The heart of these functionalities is Microsoft Graph, which draws data from Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra, and other Microsoft cloud services. This enables users to execute comprehensive searches in the People app using criteria such as name, title, location, department, or skills. Meanwhile, the File Search app aggregates files from various platforms including
Integration and Availability
To utilize the People app, users must have a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Teams. These innovative companion apps are presently accessible to members of the Microsoft 365 Insider Program for Business, restricted solely to Windows 11. According to a roadmap update on August 11, these apps will be rolling out more broadly in the upcoming weeks.
The updated Microsoft 365 suite demonstrates the platform’s commitment to going beyond just Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. With an expansive ecosystem encompassing platforms such as OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, and more, these new apps significantly simplify the process of locating and accessing data throughout this ecosystem, subsequently enhancing productivity and collaboration on a worldwide scale.
