Announcing new file template management for document library content types

If it helps Microsoft (if they read these posts), the user story goes something like this:

I am the site owner of a team site for 30 people. When I train my users to open a Microsoft Word document from SharePoint Online, I tell them to just click on the filename link (linked to document), and their Desktop App of Word will automatically launch for them. We do it this way because we use a lot of features in the Desktop App that are not available in the online version (such as 'View SharePoint Properties Panel', the 'Info Panel' for metadata, among other advanced features). Word Online is not an option for us. Opening the desktop app is simple by this method, and my users are satisfied in this regard.

However, my users get frustrated with me when they create a new Word document from the '+New' dropdown in SharePoint. When they click New, then choose a Word Document based on one of the templates I uploaded, the Online version of Word opens, which surprises them. Then I have to tell them, when it opens in the browser to find the 'Edit in Desktop' button. Then the Desktop App opens. When they are done editing in the Desktop App, many users get confused why the Online version document is still open in their browser, so I tell them to close it and not to worry that their document was editing in the online version.

Further, some users just start editing in the Online version since it already opened for them (they think it was on purpose). But then they get frustrated because they can't use any of the advanced tools in the online version. So, I have to explain again to find the 'Edit in Desktop' button. 

I consider myself a savvy SharePoint user, drifting on the super user side, and still feel awkward when having to do the same thing I just explained to my users. I don't mind workarounds from time to time, but this is a little worse than a workaround. It's an inconsistent behavior, which is worse because it introduces an element of confusion. When we're busy working on business tasks, a little thing like this can wreak havoc because we're not thinking about how to operate SharePoint, we're just trying to get work done with deadlines looming.

Microsoft, is there anything you'd suggest I tell my users?

Thanks

Anton