This article will take a closer look at Microsoft People’s various features that help users manage their professional and personal contacts.
What is Microsoft People?
People is a Microsoft application designed to help users consolidate their contact information that is located in various internet accounts. Those who are using the contact list on Microsoft Outlook are already using this app. People is where the information pertaining to professional and personal contacts is stored. In addition, those who work with Microsoft Calendar apps have access to their appointment schedule and recent conversations they’ve had with others when using People. This tool provides an easy way to organize and centralize all components of a digital Rolodex.
People provides users with a way to reach those they talk to most often directly from the taskbar on a Windows 10 device. In addition, any contacts that are pinned to the taskbar can be sent emails or direct calls with just a few mouse clicks by using Microsoft Skype. If People does not appear on the taskbar, simply right-click on the taskbar to make sure that Show People on the taskbar is checked. Contacts can also be rearranged on the taskbar, and apps can be added there as well.
People is currently available on the following operating systems: Windows Phone 7; Windows Phone 8; Windows 8; Windows Phone 8.1; Windows 8.1; Windows 10 Moble; Windows 10.
A Brief History of Microsoft People
The first version of this app was introduced to Windows 8 and was quite text-heavy. Many of People’s controls and features were hidden in a menu on the bottom of the screen or in the Charms bar menu on the top of the screen. Anytime a user with a Microsoft account added an email account on a Windows 8 computer with People installed on it, their account would be added to every other Windows 8 computer they were logged into.
As Windows 10 was developed, Microsoft rebuilt its apps with Windows 10 APIs. At this time, Calendar and Mail were combined into an underlying app, and the new version of People became a standalone application that was able to interact with both Calendar and Mail. The current version of People has many of the same functionality and features as Windows Contacts, but it is not considered to be a replacement since Contacts still exists and is included in the most recent Windows 10 release.
Main Features of Microsoft People
People includes a variety of tools that can be used to manage contacts and scheduling. Here are some of the most useful features of this application:
- Users can save physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this app. Other pertinent information about contacts can also be saved such as birthdays, job titles, or notes about any contacts that are distinguishing or important to remember.
- Various features for collaboration are also included so that People users can easily begin a chat session or send an email to anyone listed in the contact. Users can also access the most recent email exchanges they’ve had with this individual.
- This app has an easy-to-use, clean interface that enables organization. It is accessible to users of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds and has applications across industries.
- Because this app can be accessed on mobile devices, it means that users will always have access to their important contacts, even when they are away from the office or their desktop computer.
- People also works with various Metro-style apps. It includes its own front-end interface and is able to be opened by end users.
- If a user makes any changes like additions or deletions in People, these will be exported to the email accounts to which they correspond. It is up to the user which accounts will show contact information when using People.
- Those who use People can perform the following actions with this app:
- Pin contacts to Start
- Edit, add, or delete contacts
- Add or change a contact’s picture
- Share or email contacts
- Combine contacts
- View any of your contact’s conversations or organization charts
- Filter contacts
- Make a contact group from an email account
- Import and export contacts from email accounts
Which Accounts Are Supported by People?
Microsoft People imports the contacts that are stored in the user’s email account. The following accounts are supported by this app:
- Hotmail
- Exchange
- Live
- Outlook
- Microsoft 365
- Gmail
- ICloud
- Yahoo Mail
In addition, other services can be set up by using People’s advanced setting options.
The Future of Microsoft People
As of January 2021, the People app no longer launched directly through the search bar or Start Menu in Windows 10. Instead, it launched through the People icons in Calendar, Mail, or other applications.
However, some users still wish to have the Microsoft People app installed on their Windows 10 devices, and are able to install it from the Microsoft Store. However, keep in mind that Microsoft no longer will be developing this application, which means that People will not be updated with new features.
If you are looking to uninstall the People app, the process can be a bit tedious. It requires some understanding of WIndows 10 PowerShell. To uninstall People from any version of Windows 10, you will need to perform the command “Get-AppxPackage People Remove-appxPackage” from PowerShell. Once this is executed, then restart the device to complete the process.
Begin Learning Microsoft Office with Hands-On Classes
Learning how to use the various Microsoft Office applications can open professional doors across industries, as well as lead to upward career mobility. A great way to explore Microsoft Office is to sign up for one of Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Office courses. These small group classes are offered in-person in Manhattan, as well as in the live online format. For students and professionals on the go, there are also in-person and live online Microsoft Office courses available through Noble Desktop or one of its affiliate schools. A variety of course options are offered, which span three hours to three days and cost between $229 and $1,785. Courses are available that focus on specific Office apps such as PowerPoint or Access. Interested learners can also sign up for courses devoted to learning more about all of Microsoft Office.
For those looking to study close to home, you can browse in-person Microsoft Office classes to find nearby learning options.