For years, Microsoft Teams displayed Chat and Teams as separate icons in the app bar on the left side of the screen. Then Microsoft introduced a new experience that combined chats, channels and teams into a single Chat area. Lots of users noticed the change immediately but didn’t know they could switch back to the original view.
While some users enjoy having everything in one place, many others find it confusing and prefer the original layout with separate sections. Another common complaint is that recent updates have hidden the text labels from the app bar, leaving only icons, which can make Teams harder to navigate.
The good news is that you can customise both of these settings yourself and I”m about to show you how.
Why Microsoft changed Teams
Microsoft has been steadily updating Teams to streamline communication. The idea behind the combined view is to allow users to see chats, channels and teams together in a single workspace.
While this can reduce switching between different screens, it doesn’t suit everyone’s working style. Users who are accustomed to the traditional Teams interface often find the separate views easier to navigate, especially when managing large numbers of chats and teams.
Fortunately, Microsoft allows you to customise the way you view Chats and Teams to suit your preference.
How to Show Separate Chats and Teams
If your Teams interface currently combines chats and channels together, you can switch back to separate sections.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click the ellipsis (…) button in the top-right corner of Teams and choose Settings:
- Choose Chats and channels from the left-hand menu.
- Under Viewing chats, teams, and channels, change the setting from Combined to Separate:
- Once changed, Teams will display a dedicated Chat icon and dedicated Teams icon in the side app bar.
- This makes navigation exactly like previous versions of Microsoft Teams.
How to Show Text Labels in the App Bar
Another change that has frustrated many users is the removal of text labels from the app bar. Instead of seeing labels such as: Activity, Chat, Teams, Calendar etc, users may only see the icons, making it harder to quickly identify each feature.
App bar with NO labels
App bar WITH labels
To restore the labels:
- Click the ellipsis (…) button in the top-right corner of Teams and choose Settings:
- Select Appearance from the left-hand menu.
- Locate the App bar section.
- Enable the button for Show app names:
- Once turned on, the text labels will appear alongside each icon, making Teams easier to navigate, particularly for newer users.
Other Useful Teams Settings to Review
While you’re in the Settings window, there are several options worth checking.
General Settings
Consider reviewing:
- Auto-start Teams (recommended: On)
- On close, keep the application running (recommended: Off)
- Content opening preferences
- Out of office settings
Appearance Settings
You can also customise:
- Theme setting allows you to change to Classic which gives Teams the familiar purple title bar
- Skin tone preferences for reactions and emojis.
Chats and channels settings
This area contains additional options to control:
- Threads and how you will follow them
- Chat density
These settings can significantly improve the Teams experience and help you work in a way that feels most comfortable.
One of the biggest mistakes users make is assuming they have to accept every Teams interface change exactly as Microsoft delivers it. In reality, Teams includes many settings that allow you to customise the experience to match your preferences.
If you’ve been frustrated by the combined Chats and Teams view or the disappearance of app labels, a quick visit to Settings can make Teams feel familiar again. It’s a simple change, but it’s one that I demonstrate in every Teams training session because so many users ask about it.