Microsoft Teams - How to save or export a Chat?

Joey Tetreault 0 Reputation points
2026-08-15T12:27:14.83+00:00

Is it possible to save or export an individual Chat thread or history from Microsoft Teams from a desktop?

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams Free | Chats
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  1. Ruwim.B 6,900 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-08-15T15:21:31.88+00:00

    In Teams Free there is no option to save or export an individual chat only. However, it is possible to export the entire chat and file history.

    https://teams.live.com/dataexport

    The exported data will contain information on all chats and files still saved on the Cloud, but it is also possible to view the content of selected chats.

    The option to save an individual message is only available in Teams for mobiles. This feature is not available in Teams for desktops or Web.

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  2. TaoLi 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-15T13:04:57.8233333+00:00

    Yes, but Teams Free currently does not have a one-click option on the desktop app to export only one specific chat. Microsoft’s export tool exports your Chat history as a whole.

    Sign in at https://teams.live.com/go/legacyExport, select Chat history, then Submit request. When the export is ready, download and extract the .tar file; the conversations are stored in messages.json. You can then locate the individual chat you need.

    If you only need to keep a few important messages, you can also use More options > Save this message in Teams.

    Microsoft’s instructions are here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/free/settings/export-or-delete-your-data-in-microsoft-teams-free

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  3. AI answer

    2026-08-15T12:27:26.86+00:00

    Yes.

    For Microsoft Teams on desktop, there are two supported approaches in the provided material:

    1. Save a specific message or post for later
      • Hover over the message.
      • Select More options > Save this message.
      • Saved items appear in the Saved section at the top of the chats and channels list.
      • Selecting a saved item opens the chat or channel in context.
      This is useful for saving individual messages, not exporting a full chat thread.
    2. Export chat history in Microsoft Teams Free
      • Sign in to the export page with the Microsoft account used for Teams Free.
      • Choose to download Chat history, Media, or both.
      • Select Submit request and then Continue if prompted.
      • Return to the export page later to check status under Available Exports.
      • When ready, select Download.
      The export includes messages and media from chats and communities, and the call log exports as well.

    For a full individual chat-thread export from desktop, the provided material supports export steps for Teams Free. For standard Teams, the provided material supports saving individual messages and programmatic export through Teams Export APIs, including 1:1 chats, group chats, meeting chats, and channel messages.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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