Microsoft Tests New Mini-Apps for Windows, Including a Revived People App
Microsoft is rolling out two new applications as part of its Microsoft 365 Insider program, but they may feel familiar to longtime users. The People app, which has had a complicated history of being introduced and later scrapped, is making another comeback—this time with a stronger focus on workplace collaboration. Alongside it, Microsoft is testing a new File Search app, designed to enhance document discovery within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Both apps are currently limited to Business and Enterprise users with a Microsoft 365 license, meaning they won’t be available to all Windows users. They are described as “mini-apps”, a term Microsoft is using to highlight their lightweight design and fast functionality.
The File Search app aims to streamline document retrieval within Microsoft 365. Unlike the existing Office app, which already displays recently used files, File Search offers enhanced filtering options and content-based search capabilities. This may not be the full semantic search Microsoft has hinted at for Windows, but it represents a step toward more advanced document discovery. Users can preview files, apply filters, and share documents directly from the app.
More intriguing is the return of the People app, which Microsoft has repeatedly introduced and retired over the years. Initially conceived as a contact management tool in Windows 8, it evolved into various forms, including a taskbar-centric “My People” feature in Windows 10 that allowed users to send quick messages and reactions. However, the concept never gained traction, and Microsoft removed it in 2019.
This time, People is positioned as a business tool, helping users find colleagues, understand their roles, and start Teams conversations without opening additional apps. By integrating directly with Microsoft 365’s organizational structure, it aims to reduce friction in workplace communication. Users can search for contacts by name, job title, or department, then quickly send a message via Teams.
Microsoft’s Shilpa Patel describes these apps as a response to the need for faster, more efficient workflows:
“You’ll recognize familiar flows in these apps, but in a lightning-fast and streamlined format. Plus, you can pin both apps to your taskbar so you always know where to access them, no matter how busy your workspace gets.”
Given the history of People’s previous failures, Microsoft faces an uphill battle in convincing users that this iteration will be useful. Whether these mini-apps will stick around or quietly disappear remains to be seen.