Nov 8, 2025

How to Use Instant Messaging in Microsoft Teams for Seamless Collaboration

Microsoft Teams messaging: Chat, formatting, emoticons. File sharing. History. External collaboration. Presence. Activity feed. Encryption, OAuth, TLS. AMVIA.

How to Use Instant Messaging in Microsoft Teams for Seamless Collaboration

Microsoft Teams Instant Messaging: Complete Features, Security, and Remote Collaboration Guide

How does Microsoft Teams instant messaging work and what security features protect your communications? Microsoft Teams tool facilitates collaborative working. Allows colleagues converse, arrange meetings, share information liaise with clients one simple app. While Teams popular since launch 2017, became essential piece software many businesses became reliant remote working during coronavirus pandemic. Chat section Teams allows exchange Instant Messages co-workers collaborators. Click Chat tab, most recent chats shown left-hand side screen. Select previous chat, this populate main part screen. Choose send basic text message or use robust text editor format message. Send emoticons, animated .gif files, stickers. Share files ease. Instant Message chats continuous—Teams remember each message over time. Running log ongoing chat. Scroll upwards access conversation history. Teams allows Instant Message chats with users outside firm who also use software. Schedule meeting from interface integrate with mailboxes each user. Set presence appearance (video, audio, text). Coloured presence dot from Outlook calendar adjusted Teams. Activity feed shows new content, Instant Message chats, @mentions, phone calls. End-to-end encryption by default. Security certificates, OAUTH, STRP, TLS protect data. Encrypted transit and rest. Industry-standard technology. Safe remote communication. AMVIA provides Teams setup, messaging training, security configuration, remote work enablement, 24/7 support.

Microsoft Teams Instant Messaging: Overview and Remote Working

Microsoft Teams is tool which facilitates collaborative working. It allows colleagues converse, arrange meetings, share information and liaise with clients in one simple app.

While Microsoft Teams has been popular since its launch in 2017, it became essential piece of software for many businesses who became reliant on remote working during coronavirus pandemic.

This guide explains how instant messaging with Microsoft Teams works, key features, security, and how to use it for productive remote working.

How Do I Send an Instant Message in Microsoft Teams

Accessing Chat and Recent Conversations

Chat section Microsoft Teams allows you exchange Instant Messages with your co-workers and collaborators. Once you click on Chat tab, your most recent chats will be shown on left-hand side your screen. If you select previous chat, this will populate main part screen.

Chat access steps:

  • Click Chat tab in Teams interface
  • View recent conversations on left sidebar
  • Select previous chat or start new one
  • Main conversation appears in center screen

Composing and Formatting Messages

After selecting previous chat, or choosing new co-worker enter into Instant Message dialogue with, you can then choose send basic text message or use robust text editor format your message.

Message composition options:

  • Plain text messages
  • Formatted text with editor
  • Bold, italic, underline, font options
  • Bullet points and numbering
  • Code blocks and formatting

Rich Media and Emoticons

In addition this, you can also send emoticons, animated .gif files and stickers if you feel like message would be better conveyed with image. In some instances, you may also want use Instant Message feature share files.

Rich media options:

  • Emoticons and emoji
  • Animated GIF files
  • Stickers and reactions
  • Images and screenshots
  • Visual message enhancements

File Sharing in Microsoft Teams Instant Messages

Easy File Access and Convenience

Microsoft Teams allows you do this with ease, although your team administrator may decide restrict certain message types for security purposes. Files shared between users in Microsoft Teams are easily accessed via 'Files' tab. This allows users retain focus on Teams without having navigate backwards and forwards file-sharing service or email program.

File sharing benefits:

  • Integrated file access in Teams
  • No need to navigate external services
  • Quick file retrieval during conversations
  • Centralized document management
  • Streamlined workflow

Meeting and Project File Integration

Ultimately, this allows for complete convenience when conducting meetings or discussing project via Instant Message, as files can be quickly and conveniently accessed. However, for security purposes, some organisations may choose not share files on Microsoft Teams. Others may choose only allow files be shared among permanent staff members or those at administrative level. These levels restriction can be quickly and easily changed by team members who are responsible for admin.

Security considerations:

  • Admin can restrict file sharing
  • Permission-based access controls
  • Role-based file restrictions
  • Easy permission adjustments
  • Flexible security policies

Is Instant Messaging With Microsoft Teams Secure

Encryption and Security Standards

By default, all network communications in Microsoft Teams are encrypted end-to-end by default. All servers use security certificates and OAUTH, STRP and TLS protect data on network. Instant Message chat content is encrypted both at transit and at rest.

Security protocols:

  • End-to-end encryption by default
  • Security certificates (SSL/TLS)
  • OAuth authentication protocol
  • STRP (Secure Token Request Protocol)
  • TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Data Protection and Industry Standards

Microsoft uses industry-standard technology encrypt all data between devices of organisation and Microsoft's own data centres. This applies messages, meetings, files and all other content. It can therefore be concluded that Instant Message feature within Microsoft Teams is secure way for colleagues communicate safely and effectively when working remotely.

Data protection:

  • Industry-standard encryption
  • Data centre security
  • Device-to-cloud protection
  • Messages encrypted at rest
  • Transit security guaranteed

How Long Are Instant Message Chats Stored in Microsoft Teams

Continuous Conversation History

Instant Message chats in Microsoft Teams are continuous. This means Teams will remember each Instant Message over time, allowing users generate running log each ongoing chat. This can be helpful for refreshing mind on things discussed days, weeks or months ago, or corroborate information or plans may have been lost over time.

Conversation history benefits:

  • Persistent chat records
  • Long-term conversation log
  • Easy reference to past discussions
  • Information verification capability
  • Context preservation

Accessing Conversation History

To access conversation history in Microsoft Teams, simply scroll upwards through conversation. Those familiar with Outlook or Skype for Business may remember 'Conversation History' folder. This has been removed from Microsoft Teams, allowing for users simply scroll through previous conversations instead, without having refer back mailbox archives.

History access:

  • Simple scroll-up navigation
  • No folder browsing needed
  • Streamlined interface
  • Faster conversation reference
  • Cleaner UX design

External Collaboration: Outside Users and Guests

Collaboration Beyond Organization Boundaries

Microsoft Teams allows for Instant Message chats be exchanged with users from outside firm who also use software. There are lots reasons why organisation might decide they need collaborate with outside partners via Microsoft Teams. For example, some companies may choose outsource particular aspects project, such as graphic design, freelancer. In other cases, company might need liaise with client or customer on project.

External collaboration use cases:

  • Freelance project collaboration
  • Client communication
  • Vendor partnerships
  • Consultant engagement
  • Multi-company projects

Continuing Instant Message Conversations in Meetings

Seamless Transition from Chat to Meeting

If you're currently having conversation via Instant Message feature and would like continue conversation in meeting, this can quickly and easily be done by scheduling meeting from interface. This allows Microsoft Teams integrate with mailboxes each user arrange meeting. From here, users can manually set their presence setting choose how they would like appear others (for example, on video, audio or simply via text messaging).

Meeting scheduling from chat:

  • Quick meeting creation from chat
  • Calendar integration automatic
  • Mailbox synchronization
  • Participant notification
  • Seamless transition

Presence Indicators and Status

Coloured presence dot will be familiar those who have previously used Skype for Business. It is sourced from Outlook calendar and can be adjusted from within Teams enable you highlight whether you are currently on-call ('Busy') or otherwise presenting in meeting ('Do Not Disturb'). This can also be manually changed based on your current circumstances.

Presence status options:

  • Available (green)
  • Busy (red)
  • Do Not Disturb (red with line)
  • Away (yellow)
  • Offline (gray)
  • Manual status updates

Monitoring Teams Instant Messages and Activity Feed

Activity Feed Overview

Microsoft Teams generates 'Activity' feed where new content is brought directly attention each user. All forms communication on Teams should be highlighted here. This includes any Instant Message chats which have been sent or received.

Activity feed includes:

  • New Instant Message chats
  • Incoming and outgoing messages
  • Channel activity
  • Meeting invitations
  • Shared files

Mentions and Notifications

In addition this, 'Activity' tab highlights messages within Teams that @mention you as specific user. You'll also find phone calls (whether missed or received) will also be displayed 'Activity' feed. This feed is another useful feature designed with UX fore, as it allows users easily review or respond any recent activity pertaining them during working day or week.

Activity notifications:

  • @mention alerts
  • Missed call notifications
  • Recent activity summary
  • Priority flagging
  • Engagement tracking

AMVIA's Microsoft Teams Messaging Services

Teams Setup and Configuration

AMVIA provides comprehensive Microsoft Teams instant messaging setup:

  • Teams environment configuration
  • Chat and collaboration setup
  • Messaging policy configuration
  • File sharing permissions
  • Security settings and policies

Messaging Features Training

Comprehensive instant messaging training:

  • Chat interface and navigation
  • Message composition and formatting
  • File sharing and management
  • Conversation history navigation
  • External collaboration setup

Security and Compliance Configuration

Security and governance support:

  • Encryption verification
  • Access control setup
  • Compliance policy implementation
  • Message retention policies
  • eDiscovery and audit logging

24/7 Remote Work Support

AMVIA delivers 24/7/365 Teams messaging support:

  • Technical troubleshooting
  • User assistance and training
  • Feature and capability support
  • Security incident response
  • Performance optimization

Next Steps: Enabling Teams Instant Messaging for Your Organization

Start assessing messaging needs. What collaboration challenges exist? What communication patterns do teams follow? What remote work requirements have you?

Next, evaluate instant messaging features. Are messaging and chat sufficient? What file sharing needs exist? What external collaboration required?

Then, configure security and policies. What encryption standards required? What message retention policies? What compliance requirements?

Finally, implement and train. Deploy Teams messaging. Train users on features. Monitor adoption. Contact AMVIA begin collaboration transformation.

Need expert help implementing Microsoft Teams instant messaging for your organization? Contact AMVIA specialists: 0333 733 8050 (direct to experts, no voicemail) or request consultation. We provide comprehensive Microsoft Teams messaging setup, feature configuration, user training, security implementation, compliance management, 24/7 support. Discover how AMVIA's human-first approach delivers Teams messaging solutions enabling your organization instant secure communication, file collaboration, external partnerships, presence management, and activity monitoring—with end-to-end encryption and continuous conversation history for productive remote working.

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