Tutorial / Cram Notes
App setup policies in Microsoft Teams are designed to give administrators control over how apps are displayed and who can install them within Teams. These policies allow for customization of the Teams experience to enhance productivity and compliance with organizational standards. Managing app setup policies is an important aspect covered in the MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams exam.
Understanding App Setup Policies
App setup policies control which apps are pinned to the app bar, the order in which they appear, and which apps are pre-installed for users. By default, Microsoft provides a global (Org-wide default) policy but administrators can create and assign custom policies to users or groups.
Creating Custom App Setup Policies
To create a custom app setup policy, you must navigate to the Teams admin center. Follow these steps:
- In the Microsoft Teams admin center, expand
Teams appsin the left navigation and then clickSetup policies. - Select
Addto create a new policy. - Name your policy and provide a description to make it identifiable.
- Under Installed apps, use the
Addbutton to search for and select apps you wish to include in the policy. - In the Pinned apps section, you can decide which apps should be pinned to the Teams app bar and their order by using the
Addbutton and drag-and-drop to rearrange. - Once you’ve finished configuring the policy, click
Save.
Assigning App Setup Policies
After creating custom app setup policies, they can be assigned to users. To do this:
- In the Teams admin center, select
Users. - Select the user or multiple users by checking the box next to their name.
- Click
Edit settings. - Under App setup policy, choose the custom policy you wish to apply from the drop-down menu.
- Click
Apply.
Administrators can also assign policies in bulk or to groups through PowerShell scripts using the Grant-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy cmdlet.
Example of a Custom App Setup Policy Configuration
| Feature | Example Configuration |
|---|---|
| Name | “Sales Team Policy” |
| Description | “Custom policy for the sales team to enhance productivity with quick access to CRM and reporting apps.” |
| Installed apps | SalesForce, Power BI |
| Pinned apps | Teams, Calendar, SalesForce, Chat, Power BI |
In the example above, the “Sales Team Policy” has SalesForce and Power BI both installed and pinned for easy access, reflecting a configuration tailored to a sales team’s workflow.
Best Practices for Managing App Setup Policies
- Understand user roles: Create policies that reflect the distinct needs of different departments or roles within your organization.
- Streamline access: Pin commonly used apps to the app bar to improve efficiency.
- Stay compliant: Ensure that any apps within policies meet your organization’s compliance and data governance standards.
- Review regularly: Periodically review policies to keep them updated with changing organizational needs and available apps.
- Educate users: Inform users about app policies and how to utilize pinned apps for maximum productivity.
Monitor and Update App Setup Policies
App setup policies may require updates due to changes in team roles, addition of new apps, or shifts in compliance regulations. To keep your setup relevant and effective, it’s important to monitor app usage and feedback from users.
To update a policy:
- Return to the
Setup policiespage in the Teams admin center. - Choose the policy you want to update and click
Edit. - Make the necessary changes, such as adding or removing apps, pinning or unpinning apps, and updating the order.
- Save the changes.
Conclusion
Efficiently managed app setup policies ensure that Microsoft Teams users have access to the right set of tools tailored to their job functions, boosting productivity and streamlining collaboration. By creating, customizing, assigning, and updating these policies, administrators can optimize the Teams environment to meet the dynamic needs of their organization.
Overall, mastering app setup policies is a crucial component for those preparing for the MS-700 certification, as it demonstrates the ability to manage the Microsoft Teams environment effectively.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: App setup policies in Teams can be used to control which apps are pinned to the app bar for users.
- True
True
App setup policies in Microsoft Teams allow administrators to customize and control which apps appear on the Teams app bar for users, improving the user experience and ensuring compliance with company policy.
True or False: App setup policies apply to both desktop and mobile versions of Teams.
- True
True
App setup policies in Microsoft Teams affect the app experience across both desktop and mobile clients ensuring a consistent user experience.
Which of the following can be controlled by app setup policies?
- a. The order of apps in the Teams app bar
- b. The apps that can be installed by users
- c. The third-party apps that are available in the tenant
- d. The pinned apps for users by default
a, b, d
App setup policies allow administrators to control the order of apps, which apps users can install, and pin apps by default for users within the Teams app bar. They do not control the availability of third-party apps across the tenant.
True or False: Once an app is blocked in the Teams admin center, it cannot be added to any app setup policies.
- True
True
When an app is blocked in the Teams admin center, it cannot be included in any app setup policies and is not available for users to install or use within the Teams client.
True or False: An app setup policy can be assigned to a group of users based on their Azure Active Directory attributes.
- True
True
App setup policies in Teams can be assigned to individual users or groups of users based on attributes such as department, role, or location within Azure Active Directory.
How can an admin prioritize which apps are pre-pinned for new users in an organization?
- a. By modifying the global (Org-wide default) app setup policy
- b. By creating new custom app setup policies
- c. By directly configuring each user’s app bar
- d. By sending a company-wide email instructing which apps to pin
a, b
Admins can set up pre-pinned apps for new users by modifying the global (Org-wide default) app setup policy or creating custom app setup policies to tailor the app bar for specific cohorts of users. Direct configuration of each user’s app bar or sending an email is not an efficient or automated way to manage this.
True or False: The Teams admin can use PowerShell to manage app setup policies.
- True
True
The Teams admin has the option to use PowerShell cmdlets to manage app setup policies, providing a way to automate and manage these policies through scripts.
Which of the following PowerShell cmdlets is used to create a new app setup policy in Teams?
- a. New-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy
- b. Set-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy
- c. Grant-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy
- d. Update-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy
a
The New-CsTeamsAppSetupPolicy cmdlet is used to create a new Teams app setup policy. The other cmdlets are used for modifying (Set-), assigning (Grant-), or updating an existing policy (Update- is not an actual cmdlet).
True or False: App setup policies are instantly applied to users once created or updated.
- False
False
App setup policy changes can take a few hours to propagate and apply to users. It is not an instant process.
In a custom app setup policy, which action is NOT possible?
- a. Move an app to the top of the app bar
- b. Permanently remove the ability for users to add apps
- c. Hide pre-installed Microsoft Teams apps
- d. Pin third-party apps by default
b
While a custom app setup policy can manipulate the visibility and order of apps for users, including pinning or hiding apps, it cannot permanently remove the ability for users to add apps; it can only control which apps are allowed to be added or pre-pinned by default.
True or False: Users need to sign out and back into Teams for changes in app setup policies to take effect.
- False
False
Users generally do not need to sign out and back into Teams for changes in app setup policies to take effect; changes are applied automatically, but may take some time to propagate.
When assigning a custom app setup policy to users, which of the following is correct?
- a. It overrides any existing app setup policy, including the global policy.
- b. It can only be assigned as an additional policy in conjunction with the global policy.
- c. Users can choose between the global policy and the custom policy.
- d. The global policy will always take precedence over any custom policy.
a
When an admin assigns a custom app setup policy to users, it overrides any existing policy assigned to those users, including the global (Org-wide default) policy. Users do not choose their policy, and the global policy does not take precedence if a custom policy is assigned.
Interview Questions
What are app setup policies in Microsoft Teams?
App setup policies are a way to control how apps are installed and configured in your Teams environment.
How can you create an app setup policy in Teams?
To create an app setup policy in Teams, you can use the Teams admin center or PowerShell.
What types of settings can you configure with an app setup policy?
You can configure settings related to app installation, app configuration, and app visibility in Teams with an app setup policy.
Can you assign app setup policies to specific users or groups?
Yes, you can assign app setup policies to specific users or groups in your organization.
How can you edit an existing app setup policy in Teams?
To edit an existing app setup policy in Teams, you can use the Teams admin center or PowerShell.
Can you apply app setup policies to individual teams in Teams?
Yes, you can apply app setup policies to individual teams in Teams using the Teams admin center or PowerShell.
How can you view which app setup policies are assigned to specific users in Teams?
You can view which app setup policies are assigned to specific users in Teams using the Teams admin center or PowerShell.
What is the difference between an app permission policy and an app setup policy in Teams?
An app permission policy controls what apps are available to users in Teams, while an app setup policy controls how apps are installed and configured.
Can you assign multiple app setup policies to a single user in Teams?
No, you can only assign one app setup policy to a user in Teams.
What happens if an app setup policy conflicts with an app permission policy in Teams?
If an app setup policy conflicts with an app permission policy in Teams, the app permission policy takes precedence.
Can you delete an app setup policy in Teams?
Yes, you can delete an app setup policy in Teams using the Teams admin center or PowerShell.
How can you troubleshoot issues with app setup policies in Teams?
You can use the Teams admin center or PowerShell to view the status of app setup policies and diagnose any issues.
What happens if a user is not assigned an app setup policy in Teams?
If a user is not assigned an app setup policy in Teams, they will use the default settings for app installation and configuration.
Can you apply app setup policies to guest users in Teams?
Yes, you can apply app setup policies to guest users in Teams.
How often do app setup policies in Teams get updated?
App setup policies in Teams are updated every 24 hours.
I just went through the app setup policies section in MS-700, and it really opened my eyes to how crucial it is for managing Teams effectively.
Can anyone explain the main difference between global and custom app setup policies?
How effective is it to manage app setup policies through PowerShell compared to the Teams admin center?
App setup policies have been a game-changer for our organization. They help streamline the user experience.
Where can I find a list of all available apps to include in the setup policy?
Does anyone know if there’s a limit to the number of apps you can pin using app setup policies?
App setup policies reduced the time it takes for new hires to get up to speed with necessary tools. Very useful!
Thank you, this post has been very helpful in my preparations for the MS-700 exam.