Microsoft Brings Lightweight Taskbar Apps for Microsoft 365 Users on Windows 11

Microsoft is issuing a new productivity update for Windows 11 users with lightweight taskbar companion applications that are available only to Microsoft 365 subscribers. The new apps are designed to streamline daily workflow by making contacts, file search, and calendar events instantly accessible from the taskbar.

Image: Microsoft

The deployment has gone live this month for business users, representing the general availability of features that had hitherto been in beta testing only. Microsoft initially introduced the tools at last year's Ignite conference, and having tested them for months, they are now being opened up for broader deployment.

What Are Microsoft 365 Taskbar Companion Apps

Microsoft is referring to these new utilities as "companion apps," and they're light applications that run directly from the Windows 11 taskbar. Companion apps are set up to start automatically with bootup, providing professionals with a quicker means of accessing important Microsoft 365 features without launching full applications.

Image: Microsoft

Three companion apps are part of this release:

• People Companion App

• File Search Companion App

• Calendar Companion App

Each one adds a new level of functionality to the Windows 11 taskbar, allowing users to work more efficiently and save time.

Smarter Contact Management

The People companion app provides an browsable org chart, enabling employees to find and connect with anyone within their organization quickly. Users can send a Microsoft Teams message, initiate a call, or start writing an email all with one click directly from the taskbar.

For big businesses, this feature obviates the process of searching in multiple apps to find colleagues. By making contact information readily available, Microsoft is simplifying collaboration and communication.

File Search Companion

Another key highlight is the File Search companion app, and this enables users to search Microsoft 365 files directly from the taskbar. Users can search by author, file name, or keywords, and it becomes easier for users to find documents saved across OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook.

The app includes file preview capabilities and in-depth filtering and sharing capabilities, keeping employees spending less time sifting through folders and more time staying productive. This integration is particularly worth it for firms that make extensive use of Microsoft's cloud platform.

Calendar Companion

The Calendar companion app provides a glance of Microsoft 365 calendars in the taskbar. Users are able to view upcoming events, search appointments, and join meetings immediately, without launching the full Outlook application.

This simplified method allows professionals never to miss significant calls or meetings. Without a glance in the taskbar, they can remain informed about their schedules.

Availability and Deployment

All three applications were already in beta testing but are now rolling out widely as part of the general availability release of Microsoft 365. There is one key change, though: when the apps were installed automatically in beta, IT administrators will now have to opt in to deploy the apps on Windows 11 devices.

After they have been installed, the companion apps automatically open at startup, but users still have the option to switch off auto-launching if they want a purer startup experience.

Why These Taskbar Apps Matter

By integrating Microsoft 365 capabilities into the Windows 11 taskbar, Microsoft is simplifying day-to-day activities and making them faster and more efficient. These companion apps eliminate friction, improve collaboration, and save precious time, particularly in enterprise settings where handling files, meetings, and communication is integral to daily routines.

With this launch, Microsoft asserts its vision of building an end-to-end Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 experience that is tightly integrated and delivers businesses a head start on productivity and simplicity.

Microsoft 365 lightweight taskbar apps introduce yet another milestone in Microsoft's effort to integrate productivity tools into the Windows experience. From contacts management to file searches, meeting reminders, these apps bring core Microsoft 365 capabilities closer to users than ever before.

For businesses and professionals, this could mean fewer clicks, reduced app switching, and a more streamlined workday. As adoption begins this month, it will be interesting to see how organizations embrace these new companion apps in their daily workflows.