Microsoft removes the Teams feature that placed attendees in a shared virtual space

Microsoft is removing the Together mode feature from Teams, ending a tool that was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to make online meetings feel more social and collaborative. The company confirmed the decision in a post on its Insider Blog, stating that the move would help simplify the platform and improve video quality for users across devices.

Together mode was launched in 2020 when remote working became the norm for businesses worldwide. The feature used artificial intelligence to place meeting participants in a shared virtual environment, such as an auditorium or conference room, rather than displaying them in separate video boxes. Microsoft presented the tool as a way to reduce fatigue and make virtual meetings feel more natural at a time when employees were isolated from colleagues.

However, the company now believes the feature no longer aligns with Teams’ direction as more workers return to offices or adopt hybrid working arrangements. Microsoft said it would instead encourage users to rely on Gallery mode, which presents participants in a more traditional grid layout and requires fewer system resources.

Microsoft shifts focus to performance improvements

In explaining the decision, Microsoft said Together mode increased “cognitive load for users” and added, “implementation complexity across platforms”. The company also noted that the feature could create performance issues, particularly on mobile phones and lower-powered devices with limited processing capability.

Microsoft argued that removing the feature would allow it to concentrate on improving the core video experience in Teams. It said Gallery mode could provide smoother performance through adaptive video tile counts that automatically adjust the number of visible participants based on device capabilities and network conditions.

The company added that simplifying the meeting interface would free up resources for broader enhancements. Microsoft said these improvements would include technologies such as “super-resolution, denoising and improved colour accuracy”. According to the company, these changes are intended to deliver a more reliable and visually polished experience for users across desktop and mobile platforms.

The decision reflects a wider shift among technology firms that rapidly expanded remote working tools during the pandemic. Many companies are now reassessing which features remain relevant as workplace habits continue to evolve. While online meetings remain common, businesses are increasingly focused on efficiency and stability rather than experimental virtual environments.

Teams continues to face criticism from users

Microsoft Teams remains one of the most widely used workplace communication platforms globally, particularly among organisations already using Microsoft 365 services. Despite its popularity, the platform has frequently faced user criticism over performance and usability issues.

Complaints about Teams often centre on slow loading times, high memory usage and an interface that some users describe as overly complicated. The addition of numerous features over recent years has led some critics to argue that the platform has become cluttered, especially when compared with rival services that offer simpler meeting experiences.

The removal of Together mode may therefore be seen as part of a broader Microsoft effort to streamline the software. By eliminating features that are used less frequently, the company could reduce technical overhead while addressing long-standing complaints about reliability and responsiveness.

Industry observers have noted that maintaining advanced visual effects such as Together mode can place significant strain on hardware resources. Features that rely heavily on artificial intelligence and image processing often require greater computing power, leading to inconsistent performance across devices.

Microsoft did not provide detailed figures on how widely Together mode was used, nor did it confirm an exact timeline for its disappearance from Teams. However, the company indicated that Gallery mode would become the primary focus for future meeting developments.

Pandemic-era features lose relevance

The launch of Together mode in 2020 coincided with intense competition among video conferencing platforms. Companies including Microsoft, Zoom and Google rushed to introduce new features as millions of people shifted to working and studying from home.

At the time, Together mode was promoted as a way to combat what became known as “video call fatigue”. By placing participants into a shared digital setting, Microsoft hoped to recreate some of the visual cues and social atmosphere of in-person meetings.

Although the feature attracted attention for its unusual presentation style, it never became central to the Teams experience for many users. Traditional gallery views remained more familiar and practical for everyday business meetings, especially in large organisations where consistency and compatibility are priorities.

As hybrid working becomes more established, technology companies are increasingly prioritising reliability, security and integration with other workplace tools. Microsoft’s latest decision suggests it sees performance optimisation as more important than maintaining visually distinctive meeting features introduced during the pandemic.

The removal of Together mode may disappoint a small group of users who appreciated its more engaging format. Still, Microsoft appears confident that focusing on core functionality will improve the overall experience for most Teams customers.