How to Keep Microsoft Teams Running in the Taskbar

This guide explains how to make Microsoft Teams stay active in your taskbar even after you click the close button. Microsoft Teams is a popular tool for chats, video meetings, and sharing files.

You can adjust many settings in the app, such as how to turn on or off suggested replies in chat, enable or disable sound notifications, enable or disable notifications for incoming calls and meetings, enable or disable notifications during calls and meetings, enable or disable chat message notifications, turn @mentions notifications banners on or off, turn notifications for likes and reactions on or off, turn meeting start notifications on or off, and mute or unmute meeting chat notifications.

Why keep Teams running in the background?

By default, closing an app usually shuts it down completely. By changing this setting, you keep the app running in the background. This means you won’t miss important messages, and you can jump back into the app instantly without waiting for it to reload.

What happens when you are done?

Once this setting is turned on, clicking the “X” button will move the app to your taskbar instead of closing it. This keeps your connection active so you are always ready for meetings.

How to change your settings

First, open the app by clicking the Start menu and finding it in your list of apps.

You can also open the app using the Taskbar or Taskbar overflow.

When the app opens, click the button on the menu bar to make the window full-sized.

Next, click the Settings and more button (the three dots) next to your profile picture. Select Settings from the menu.

Select the General tab on the left side of the screen. Look for the System section. Check the box that says “On close, keep the application running and minimize it to the taskbar” to turn this feature on. Uncheck the box if you want to turn it off.

Note: You do not need admin privileges to change these settings; any user can adjust this within their own app preferences.

Summary

• Enabling this feature keeps Teams active so it opens instantly when you need it.
• It ensures you stay connected to receive notifications and messages while away from your desk.
• It makes it much faster to join calls and meetings on short notice.