Windows 11’s taskbar is getting contacts, files, and calendar ‘companions’

Microsoft is creating a new companions experience for the Windows 11 taskbar that will surface important data with just a click. Microsoft 365 Companions will include contacts and people, files, or calendar appointments integrated into the taskbar of Windows 11.

“We will bring Microsoft 365 People, Files, and Calendar to your taskbar so your Graph data is just a click away,” said Windows chief Pavan Davuluri on stage at Microsoft Ignite 2024 today.

Microsoft hasn’t detailed this new Companions experience fully, but it looks very similar to what exists for the Phone Link app on Windows 11. Microsoft introduced a similar companion experience at the side of the Start menu for Phone Link with the Windows 11 24H2 update, allowing you to easily see recent messages and calls, and even your phone battery life without having to open the Phone Link app.

The image showed on stage at Microsoft Ignite shows a floating panel of contacts that also looks similar to how Microsoft originally integrated Microsoft Teams into the taskbar. It’s not clear if this Microsoft 365 Companions experience will be available to third-party app developers to integrate their own apps into the taskbar like this.

I’ve reached out to Microsoft for further details on Microsoft 365 Companions, and I’ll update you accordingly.