How to update your connected service settings in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams connected services settings let you control features like link previews and GIF suggestions.
Connected services in Microsoft Teams use cloud data for extra features. For example, these services provide a preview when you share a web link and suggest animated GIFs from GIPHY. These connected services are not required to use Microsoft Teams.
You can turn off Microsoft Teams connected service notifications if they distract you or if you have concerns about data privacy. For example, disabling a notification for a third-party app prevents that app from sending alerts to your Teams account.
Adjusting connected service settings on your Windows computer lets you choose exactly what extra help Microsoft Teams provides during your chats. For example, changing these settings can prevent Teams from automatically suggesting relevant files from OneDrive during a conversation.
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of Teams, select Settings, then go to Privacy. Toggle “Optional Connected Experiences” off to disable features like link previews and GIFs. This reduces reliance on cloud services but may disable some helpful functions.
Step 1Open Your Teams Settings
Opening your Microsoft Teams settings is the first step to managing your connected services. You can find your settings by clicking on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Teams app window.
Here’s how to find it:
- Find Your Profile Picture: Look for your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner of the Microsoft Teams window. It’s usually a small circle with your photo or the first letter of your name.
- Click for Options: Click on your profile picture. A menu will pop up with options for your account and the Teams app.
- Choose “Settings”: In this menu, click on “Settings.” This opens the main settings window for Microsoft Teams.
Step 2Change General Connected Experiences
You can change your general connected experiences in Microsoft Teams, like how link previews or GIF fetching work, by going to Privacy settings. These settings help you manage your privacy by controlling how Teams uses outside services and your personal information.
Here’s how to get there:
- Choose “Privacy”: Find and click on “Privacy” in the left-hand sidebar. This area lets you manage how Teams uses outside services and your information.
- Find “Optional Connected Experiences“: In the Privacy settings, look for a section or a switch called “Optional Connected Experiences.” This is where you control services like GIPHY and URL Preview (for non-video links).
- Use the Switch: To turn off these optional cloud services, click the switch next to “Optional Connected Experiences.” Turning this off stops many features that use Microsoft or other companies’ cloud services, including website link previews.
Disabling “Optional Connected Experiences” in Microsoft Teams impacts multiple functions. This helps improve your privacy by reducing reliance on outside services. However, it might also turn off helpful features, like link previews that show a summary when you hover over a link. If a feature you rely on stops working, you may need to turn “Optional Connected Experiences” back on.
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Summary
You can control optional connected experiences in Microsoft Teams, like link previews and GIFs, by adjusting settings found under Privacy.
How do I turn off connected services in Office 365?
You can turn off connected services in Microsoft 365 by going to any Office app like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Once in the app, go to File, then Account, and look for ‘Manage Settings’ to disable or enable these experiences.
What is a Teams connected site?
A SharePoint team site connects you and your team to shared content and resources. Use team sites to store and collaborate on files or to create and manage lists of information as well as: Track and stay updated on project status. Organize and co-author shared content.
Does Teams work with Salesforce?
The Salesforce integration with Teams provides context about Salesforce records in Teams channels, chat conversations, calendar meetings, and video conferences. With a richer context, team members stay on the same page and save time from switching between applications.
How do I turn off connected services in Office 365?
In Microsoft 365 apps like Word or Excel, go to File, then Account. Look for 'Manage Settings' and select it. From there, you can manage or turn off connected services that use cloud data for extra features.
Can my boss see my private chats on Microsoft Teams?
Your boss can likely see chats if your company monitors Teams activity. Company policies and IT settings determine what is visible. It is best to assume that all communications on a work account may be reviewed.
What is Microsoft Teams Services?
Microsoft Teams services are features that use cloud data to add extra abilities to Teams. These include things like showing link previews, suggesting GIFs, or connecting with other apps for notifications and collaboration.
How to enable Teams Connect?
Teams Connect lets you share channels with people outside your organization. To enable it , you usually need to go to Teams settings, find 'Connected services' or 'Apps,' and look for the option to manage or enable channel sharing.
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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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