When Microsoft launched Home windows 11, one app appeared to get particular remedy. You may need heard of it earlier than: Microsoft Groups.
Groups was first launched again in 2017, however the arrival of Home windows 11 noticed it take centre stage. In addition to being pre-installed and opening each time you boot up your pc, a devoted chat window is now constructed into the taskbar.
If Groups is your go-to app for staying in contact, that is perhaps high quality. However in case you favor Zoom, one other video calling app or just assembly in actual life, it may possibly shortly get annoying.
Luckily, it’s comparatively straightforward to considerably scale back the affect of Microsoft Groups in Home windows 11. Whether or not you simply need to cease it bugging you or fully take away the app, that is the tutorial for you.
cease Microsoft Groups from launching on startup
By default, many apps will open each time you flip your pc on. Microsoft Groups is one in every of them, however stopping this from occurring is straightforward:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Startup
- Scroll down to search out Microsoft Groups (you might even see each work and private variations) and click on the toggle subsequent to every to modify them off

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Utilizing the identical technique, you can too cease another apps from opening at startup. However in case you’re unsure or don’t recognise an app, it’s finest to not change this. Be taught extra in our separate article on easy methods to disable startup apps.
handle Microsoft Groups notifications
However even when Groups isn’t launching at startup, it may possibly nonetheless pester you all through the day through notifications. A few of these could also be helpful, nevertheless it’s value checking in case you want every little thing turned on:
- Head to Settings > System > Notifications
- Scroll all the way down to the ‘Notifications from apps and different senders’ sub-heading, then select ‘Title’ from the drop-down menu under it
- Discover Microsoft Groups within the checklist (once more, you might even see each work and private variations) and click on it
- Click on the toggle on the high of the display to show off all notifications. Alternatively, click on it to decide on the place and the way these notifications are delivered. Any adjustments you make will likely be saved routinely

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- Subsequent, open the Groups app itself
- Click on your icon on the high of the display, then select ‘Handle account’
- Click on the ‘Notifications’ tab on the left facet, then select which kinds of notifications you’d like. Once more, any adjustments will likely be saved routinely

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take away Microsoft Groups from the taskbar
Groups chat is likely one of the Home windows 11 taskbar’s greatest new options. Fortunately, Microsoft makes it straightforward to show off:
- Head to Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar
- Below ‘Taskbar gadgets’, click on the toggle subsequent to ‘Chat’ to show it off. The change will likely be utilized instantly

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uninstall Microsoft Groups
But when even the sight of Groups in your pc is an excessive amount of, Microsoft does allow you to uninstall it:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Put in apps
- Within the search bar on the high of the display, sort ‘groups’
- For any outcomes labelled as ‘Microsoft Groups’, click on the three dots on the fitting, then select ‘Uninstall’

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- Click on ‘Uninstall’ once more to verify

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After you comply with these steps, Groups can change into a distant reminiscence whereas utilizing Home windows 11. The app will likely be genuinely helpful to many individuals, although, and there are additionally some methods to have enjoyable.