Microsoft Lync 2013: history, support status and upgrading to Teams

Lync went through several names over the years, which is why many people still search for it by its old one. Here is how the product line moved from its first release to today:

The business messaging client that came before Lync.

Office Communicator was renamed Lync, and Lync 2013 launched on January 9, 2013.

An update to the Lync 2013 client that follows the same lifecycle.

The successor built for chat, meetings, calling and file collaboration in one app.

Microsoft retired Skype for Business Online.

Lync 2013 and Lync Server 2013 reached end of support.

Every capability Lync introduced now lives in Teams, which continues to receive new features and security updates.

Instant messaging with presence, so you could see who was available

Audio and video calls

Online meetings with desktop and app sharing

Integration with Outlook and Exchange contacts and calendars

These were the building blocks of modern business communication, and Teams covers each of them in a cloud service that stays up to date.

Lync 2013 no longer receives security updates, bug fixes or technical support, and Microsoft does not offer an option to extend support. Installing it today means running software that will not be patched against new threats. If you have an existing Office 2013 product key, you can still find Office 2013 installation guidance on the Office previous-versions pages. For calling, chat and meetings, download Microsoft Teams instead.

Teams was built to do everything Lync did and more. Here is how the two compare:

Enter meetings without dial-in numbers or passcodes. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

Share content and explain ideas visually. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: Yes.

1080p video with multiple people on screen. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

Messages appear the next time someone signs in. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

Share from OneDrive or your PC or Mac. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

The latest features and security updates. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

Copilot summarizes meetings and suggests next steps. Microsoft Teams in Microsoft 365: Yes. Lync 2013: No.

The last row is the biggest difference, because Lync could help you hold a meeting but could not help you act on it.

Copilot in Teams turns meetings and chats into decisions and next steps. Once you move from Lync to Teams, Copilot can help you:

Copilot summarizes key discussion points, including who spoke and what they said.

It suggests action items and answers questions in real time, during or after a meeting.

In chats and channels, it pulls out the main points, decisions and action items so you don't have to scroll through long threads.

Longer Copilot responses open in Word, and responses formatted as tables open in Excel.

Copilot in Teams requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, which you can add to an eligible Microsoft 365 business plan. [SME: confirm current Copilot Chat availability wording for business plans.] For teams that spend much of their week in meetings, it's the fastest way to see what the move from Lync makes possible.

A smooth upgrade comes from planning the technical and people sides together. Follow these steps in order:

Pick a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Teams.

If you still run Lync Server or Skype for Business Server, set coexistence modes so users can move in stages.

Follow the upgrade guidance on Microsoft Learn, join a free upgrade planning workshop, and engage FastTrack if your subscription is eligible.

Train people on Teams before you switch them over.

Start with the people who run the most meetings, then expand.

Starting with a single team lets you test the process before you roll it out across the organization.

Lync is no longer supported, and Teams is ready to take its place. Choose a Microsoft 365 plan for your business and add Copilot to get more out of every meeting.