Hide Message Previews in Chat list on Microsoft Teams
Hiding message previews in the Microsoft Teams chat list stops conversation snippets from showing up next to contact names.
Message previews display the first part of the latest message in your chat list, giving you a quick peek at new conversations. This feature can accidentally show private details if someone else can see your screen.
For example, if you’re in a public place or sharing your screen during a call, these previews might reveal sensitive information unintentionally. Thankfully, Microsoft Teams lets you easily turn this preview feature off for better privacy.
Go to Settings > Appearance and toggle off “Show message preview in your chat list”. This hides message snippets from your chat list, keeping conversations private until opened.
Why hide message previews?
Hiding message previews keeps private conversations private, especially when others are nearby or you’re screen sharing. This setting stops others from seeing message snippets just by glancing at your chat list, giving you more control.
How to hide message previews in New Teams vs. Classic Teams
You can hide message previews in both the New Teams and Classic Teams apps to keep your chat list private and tidy. The process involves going into your Teams settings and turning off the option that shows message snippets directly in the chat list.
1. Launch the Microsoft Teams app from your Start menu or Taskbar.
2. Click the Settings and more (…) icon located at the top right, next to your profile picture.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Navigate to the Appearance tab on the left sidebar.
5. Look for the Chat density section. Toggle the switch for Show message preview in your chat list to the Off position.
Troubleshooting: Missing settings
If you cannot find the toggle, ensure your app is fully updated. Sometimes, company policies set by your IT department might limit certain Teams privacy options. If you are on a work computer, you may need admin privileges to update the application or change specific global policies.
Privacy in public spaces
Using Teams display settings to hide previews is a best practice for anyone working in coffee shops, airports, or open-plan offices. It ensures that even if you leave your computer unlocked for a moment, your private chats remain obscured from passersby.
Summary
- Hiding message previews protects your privacy during screen sharing.
- The setting is found under Settings > Appearance.
- This change does not affect your standard desktop notification banners.
- If the setting is missing, check for app updates or consult your IT administrator.
For more information, visit the official Microsoft Support documentation.
Can I hide the message content but still see the sender’s name in New Teams?
Yes. By disabling the message preview toggle in your Appearance settings, Teams will remove the snippet of text from the chat list. However, the name of the person or group you are chatting with will remain visible, allowing you to identify the conversation without exposing the actual message content.
Does disabling message previews affect desktop notifications?
No. Disabling message previews only affects the chat list view within the main application window. It does not affect your standard desktop notification banners. You can manage those separately under the Notifications and Activity settings if you wish to hide content from pop-up banners as well.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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