Moving from Microsoft classic Teams to new Teams for people using a screen reader

What's new?

The new Teams ensures what worked earlier keeps working, while it offers a few additional features for improved collaboration and productivity. The features and improvements include:

• Teams now automatically support Windows 11 high-contrast themes.

• Context-sensitive help is available in Chats, Activity, and Teams and channels. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Period to access the top commands you may want to use from a given location like chats, activity, and teams and channels.

• The Files app is now OneDrive. Use Ctrl+6 to open the OneDrive app.

What still works?

You can still use familiar shortcuts and navigation methods, like:

• Use either Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, or Ctrl+3 and more to access various apps inthe app bar where the number key is the sequential number of an app on the app bar.

• Press F6 or Ctrl+F6 to move between different app areas.

Updates for navigating apps

The following are some updates for navigating the Chats, Activity, and Teams and Channels apps on Teams:

1. Chats: To move quickly between the chat list, message, and typing a new message:

   1. Press Ctrl+2 to access the Chat app.

      Note: The key number ‘2’ signifies the sequential position of the Chat app within the app bar. This position may vary depending on individual setup.

   2. Use the Up or Down arrow key to select the chat you wish to review.

   3. Use the Spacebar to review the latest unread message. You are directed to the latest unread message to allow a quick way to catch up by down-arrowing through the messages to arrive at the most recent message. This keeps your messages in the chat in order and lets you quickly review the latest messages.

   4. Use the Up or Down arrow key to continue going through your chats.

   5. Press the Enter key to get to the Type a message box and type a reply. Press Enter again to post the message.

   6. Use the Esc key or Ctrl+L to get back to the chats list.

2. Activity:

   1. Use Ctrl+1 to access the Activity app.

      Note: The key number ‘1’ signifies the sequential position of the Activity app within the app bar. This position may vary depending on individual setup.

   2. Use the Down or Up arrow keys to navigate through the Activity list.

   3. Press Enter or Spacebar to jump into the latest activity notification.

   4. Press the Esc key or Ctrl+L to go back to the Activity list.

   5. Use the Down or Up arrow keys to navigate through the Activity list.

3. Teams and channels:

   1. To access the Teams and channels app, use Ctrl+3.

      Note: The key number ‘3’ signifies the sequential position of the Teams and channels app within the app bar. This position may vary depending on individual setup.

   2. Use the Down or Up arrow keys to move through the Teams and channels.

   3. In a channel, press Enter or Spacebar to go to the most recent post.

   4. Use the Up or Down arrow keys to navigate through the posts.

   5. Press Enter to jump into the post to read replies.

   6. Press the Esc key to move back up to the posts.

   7. Use the Down or Up arrow keys to continue reading through the posts.

   8. Press the Esc key or Ctrl+L to go back to the channels list.

      Notes: Once you have gone through this article, you can explore the following articles to help you transition smoothly:

      • Start with Quick Start Guide: Using Microsoft Teams with a screen reader.

      • Learn to Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Microsoft Teams.

      • Do the Basic tasks using a screen reader with Microsoft Teams.

For further details, refer to Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams and Using Microsoft Teams with a screen reader- Frequently Asked Questions.

Need further assistance?

• Visit Accessibility support for Microsoft Teams for instructions tailored for screen reader users.

• Go to Microsoft Teams help center for general assistance.

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.