![]() Previously, it had only let users to use an image or video as an alternative background during a meeting, known as a virtual background. "Users can now choose to blur their background rather than selecting a specific virtual background, providing added privacy when a branded background is unavailable or unnecessary," patch notes said. Zoom: The software has offered the feature since February 1, 2021, when the company released an updated version of the tool, V. ![]() Here's how to toggle the blurred background feature both before and during meetings. Luckily, that feature is also now available on all three video conferencing tools, making it quick and easy to hide your surroundings from workmates, friends or family. Another way of achieving that without uploading images is blurring the background altogether. Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams-three of the most popular tools-offer ways to use virtual backgrounds for extra privacy or simply a change of scenery. It’s a bit more difficult if you’re already in a call with other people-for now there’s no way to center your view on your personal video, so you’re stuck making changes to your background using the tiny thumbnail that appears in the bottom right of your screen.Įditor’s note: This article was updated to reflect the latest features available with Microsoft Teams.Video software remains an integral part of many people's lives in 2021 as the COVID pandemic continues to impact jobs and social lives. The process to change your background is the same whether you’re hosting a meeting or participating, and it works in a regular call the same way. Microsoft Teams now allows for custom backgrounds. The backgrounds window will appear on the right side of the screen–scroll through all the options Microsoft has provided, apply the virtual background or blurring option you want ( Figure D), and carry on with your meeting. Click the three dots to open the menu, and then click Show Background Effects ( Figure C). With the meeting launched, look at the menu bar that appears a little below center on the video screen. click on that and follow the steps to launch a meeting. ![]() For a meeting, you’ll stay in the Teams tab and look to the upper right of the window, as in Figure B, where you’ll see the Meet button and a small camera icon. Starting a meeting is different than starting a call-for a call, you’d switch to the Calls tab on the left side of the Teams app. If someone else on your team starts a meeting, you’ll see an option to join right in the team chat window, but for the sake of this demonstration, and to turn your own background on for future calls, we’ll start our own meeting. This is the area where you can chat with coworkers, as well as start a new meeting and join an existing one. With Microsoft Teams open, navigate to the Teams tab ( Figure A). ![]() SEE: Microsoft Teams: How-to guide (TechRepublic download) In this tutorial I use Microsoft Teams for macOS, but the Windows version works nearly identically. Turning this feature on is a snap, if you follow these directions. It’s great for disguising messy rooms, non-work spaces or just maintaining a bit of privacy, and Microsoft Teams offers the feature as well–no green screen required. One of the hottest features of video conferencing apps like Zoom is the ability to change your background. If you’re new to Microsoft Teams, you might be a bit flustered by its layout–it’s a complicated app that offers a lot of various features, and those features can be confusing. SEE: How to blur backgrounds in Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet (free PDF) (TechRepublic) With its full-featured collaboration tools like team chats, file sharing, one-on-one video calls and video conferencing, Microsoft Teams is a force to be reckoned with not just for Zoom, but for other alternatives as well-and it has a robust free tier that anyone can sign up for. Zoom has been the digital meeting app of choice for many users lately, but security woes are forcing it to face up to stiff competition from the likes of apps like Microsoft Teams.
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