Microsoft Teams: Extended directory retires starting July 22, 2024

Microsoft has announced that it will retire the Extended directory preview-only feature for Connected Chat in Microsoft Teams on July 22, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Instead, admins are recommended to use Teams connect chat supported by external access, where Microsoft will continue to invest development resources. The External access feature can be accessed in the Teams admin center under Users > External access. The Extended directory feature, which was released to public preview customers in February 2024, is being deprecated due to low feature usage and customer demand. As a result, the feature will be gradually phased out by disabling it in all interfaces. This change will happen automatically by the specified date, and no admin action is required. However, conversations (chat) established with an Extended directory contact will continue to work if external access policies are enabled. IT admins can learn more about the External access feature and how to manage external meetings and chat with people and organizations using Microsoft identities from the Microsoft Teams page on Microsoft Learn. (Article will be updated around the time of retirement).

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