Microsoft embeds Slack and Zoom rival in new Windows 11

Microsoft will bundle its own rival to Zoom and Slack into the new version of Windows, potentially giving it a huge advantage in the remote working wars.

The Seattle-based computing giant said on Thursday that its remote working software Teams will be integrated into Windows 11 when it launches later this year.

The software will appear on the new Windows task bar in the centre of the screen, making it a core feature similar to Apple's FaceTime on iPhones.

However, the move could anger competition regulators in the EU already investigating claims by the workplace chat service Slack that Microsoft has abused its market position.

Slack, which was bought in December by the US software firm Salesforce for $27.7bn (£19.9bn), has accused Microsoft of building a "weak, copycat product" and foisting it on customers by

bundling it with Microsoft Office. Microsoft denied the claim.

Satya Nadella, the Microsoft chief executive, said: “With Windows 11, we have a renewed sense of Windows’ role in the world. Operating systems and devices should mould to our needs, not the

other way around.

"That’s why we’re making it easy to connect with the people you want, the content you want, the apps you want, across all devices you want."

Microsoft is betting on a permanent increase in remote working, and has pitched its products as essential companions in a new world of "hybrid" offices.

Other changes in Windows 11 include multiple virtual desktops, smartphone-style widgets, access to Android apps, and a redesigned Microsoft app store that takes zero fees from app makers.

As of last March, Windows 10 was used by more than 1bn devices globally.