How To Set Background In Microsoft Teams (2023)

Ever wondered how to jazz up your virtual meetings with custom backgrounds in Microsoft Teams? With the surge of remote work and virtual collaboration, Microsoft Teams has become a go-to for many businesses.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to change and personalize your background environment during your digital meetings or calls. Let’s dive in and transform those drab video conference sessions into visually appealing discussions.

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Key Takeaways

You can easily change your background in Microsoft Teams to personalize your video meetings on both laptops and mobile devices.
Microsoft Teams provides pre – designed backgrounds that you can choose from, or you can upload your own custom image for a more personalized look.
By using virtual backgrounds in Microsoft Teams, you can eliminate distractions, set the right tone, express yourself, and improve overall communication during video conferences.

How to Change Your Microsoft Teams Background

To change your Microsoft Teams background, follow these steps before a meeting on your laptop.

Before a Meeting on Laptop

Setting your Microsoft Teams background before a meeting on the laptop is easy.

First, open your Microsoft Teams app.
Second, go to the meeting screen but don’t start the meeting yet.
Third, adjust your settings by clicking on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen.
Fourth, select “Apply Background Effects“. This will let you change or blur your background.
Fifth, look through the set backgrounds offered by Microsoft Teams and pick one that suits you.
Finally, click “Apply” and then “Done” to finish setting up your background.

During a Meeting on Laptop

Changing your Microsoft Teams background during a meeting on a laptop is easy and can be done in a few steps.

Click the ‘Camera’ icon to start or join a meeting.
On the toolbar, click the three dots for more actions.
From the drop – down menu, select ‘Apply Background Effects’.
You can pick from blur or an image provided by Microsoft Teams.
If you want, you can even upload your own photo as a custom background.
Click the ‘Apply’ option to finalize your changes.

Before/After a Meeting Starts on Mobile Devices

You can modify the background on your mobile device for Microsoft Teams meetings. Here’s how:

Open the Teams app on your mobile device.
Find and open a meeting from your calendar or chat list.
To change the background, tap the More actions icon at the top of your meeting screen.
From the options, choose “Apply background effects”.
You will see a list of available backgrounds to choose from.
Choose a new background or upload a custom one if you wish.
If you want to try different backgrounds before joining a meeting, go to menu settings and select “Preview video”.
Adjust your chosen background in this preview mode before entering a new meeting.

Adding Custom Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

To add custom backgrounds in Microsoft Teams, you can enable virtual backgrounds, select background effects, and upload your own background images.

Enabling virtual backgrounds

Enabling virtual backgrounds in Microsoft Teams is a great way to add a personal touch to your meetings. Here’s how you can do it:

Open Microsoft Teams and sign in to your account.
Click on your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the settings menu, click on “Devices” on the left – hand side.
Scroll down until you find the “Camera” section.
Click on the toggle switch next to “Background effects” to enable virtual backgrounds.
Once enabled, you will see a preview of your video feed with different background options.

Selecting background effects

Users can enhance their Microsoft Teams meetings by selecting background effects.
Background effects in Teams allow users to choose from a range of customized backgrounds.
This feature helps users personalize their video calls and create a more engaging meeting environment.
By selecting background effects, users can change their background to a virtual scene or image of their choice.
Microsoft Teams provides default background options, but users can also upload their own custom backgrounds.
With background effects, users have the flexibility to express themselves and set the right tone for their meetings.
Changing the background effect is easy and can be done with just a few clicks during a Teams meeting.

Uploading custom backgrounds

To customize your Microsoft Teams background, you can upload your own images. Here’s how:

Open the Microsoft Teams app on your computer.
Click on the three dots (…) menu in the top – right corner of the app.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the Settings panel, click on “Devices” on the left – hand side.
Scroll down to find the section titled “Background effects.”
Click on “Add new” under the “Backgrounds” option.
A file browser window will appear, allowing you to navigate to and select your desired image file.
Once you’ve chosen an image, click on “Open” or “OK” to upload it as a custom background.

Step-by-step Guide on How to Add a Background Image in Microsoft Teams

To add a background image in Microsoft Teams, follow these simple steps:

Open Microsoft Teams on your device.
Click on your profile picture or initials at the top right corner of the screen.
From the drop – down menu, select “Settings”.
In the Settings panel, click on “Devices” on the left – hand side.
Under the section “Camera”, toggle the switch for “Background effects” to turn it on.
Now, go back to your meeting or video call in Microsoft Teams.
During the call, locate the toolbar at the bottom of the screen and click on the three dots icon (…).
From the menu that appears, choose “Show background effects”.
A sidebar will appear with various background options. You can browse through them and select a preset background.
If you want to use a custom background image, click on “Add new” at the top right corner of the sidebar.
Choose an image from your computer’s files and upload it as your background.
Once you’ve selected or uploaded a background image, it will be applied instantly to your video call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd7_Wtv-vXI

Benefits and Tips for Using Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

Using backgrounds in Microsoft Teams offers several benefits and tips to enhance your video conferencing experience, such as eliminating distractions, setting the right tone, expressing yourself, and improving overall communication.

Eliminating distractions

Virtual backgrounds in Microsoft Teams can help eliminate distractions during meetings. By using a virtual background, you can minimize interruptions and conceal disturbances that may be happening behind you.

This can enhance focus and promote engagement by creating a distraction-free environment for both yourself and others in the meeting. Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers background blur as a feature, which allows you to keep the focus on yourself while blurring out any potential distractions in the background.

With these tools, you can improve clarity, streamline communication, and ensure optimal concentration during your video conferencing experience with Microsoft Teams.

Setting the right tone

To set the right tone in Microsoft Teams, you can use background effects during your meetings. This feature allows you to adjust and modify your background to enhance the atmosphere of your video conference.

By customizing your background, you can tailor it to match the purpose or theme of your meeting. Whether you want a professional setting or a more casual vibe, choosing the right background can help create a better overall experience for participants.

Additionally, personalizing your background adds a touch of creativity and self-expression to your video calls. So take advantage of this feature to improve and customize the tone for each meeting in Microsoft Teams.

Expressing yourself

Custom backgrounds in Microsoft Teams allow you to express yourself and add a personal touch to your video meetings. By choosing a background that reflects your personality, interests, or brand, you can customize your virtual environment and make it more engaging for participants.

Whether it’s using an image that represents your favorite hobby, displaying your company logo, or simply adding some visual flair with colorful designs, custom backgrounds help you stand out and make a lasting impression.

So go ahead and enhance your video conferencing experience by expressing yourself through customized backgrounds in Microsoft Teams!

Improving video conferencing experience

Customizing your video conferencing experience in Microsoft Teams can greatly improve the overall quality of your meetings. One way to enhance this experience is by using virtual backgrounds.

By eliminating distractions and setting the right tone, virtual backgrounds create a more professional and engaging atmosphere for everyone involved. You have the option to choose from pre-designed background images or upload your own custom backgrounds, allowing you to express yourself and personalize your video meetings.

With these enhancements, you can make your video conferences more enjoyable and visually appealing, ultimately increasing engagement and making each meeting more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

Get answers to common questions about changing backgrounds in Microsoft Teams and learn how to make the most of this feature. Discover how to customize your video background, the system requirements for background effects, using different backgrounds on mobile devices, recommended size for custom images, and more.

How to change your video background

To change your video background in Microsoft Teams, follow these simple steps:

Click on the three dots in the middle of the button bar at the bottom of the screen.
Select “Show background effects” from the options that appear.

System requirements for background effects

To use background effects in Microsoft Teams, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

A compatible device: You can use background effects on Windows and Mac computers, as well as on iOS and Android mobile devices.
The latest version of Teams: Ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Teams installed on your device.
A supported processor: Background effects require a processor with Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) support, such as Intel Core processors from the 4th generation or later, or AMD Ryzen processors.
Sufficient memory and storage: Make sure your computer or mobile device has enough RAM and storage space to handle background effects.
Good lighting conditions: For optimal results, ensure that you’re in a well-lit area when using background effects. Avoid backlighting or dimly lit environments.

Using different backgrounds on tablets or mobile devices

Microsoft Teams allows users to change their backgrounds on tablets or mobile devices.
Users can customize their background during a Teams meeting for a more personalized look.
Background Effects in Microsoft Teams let users set custom backgrounds.
Users have the option to use familiar Microsoft backgrounds or choose a picture from their phone for their background image.

Recommended size for custom images

How background effects work

Background effects in Microsoft Teams allow users to modify their video call backgrounds, giving them the ability to personalize and enhance their virtual meetings. With background effects, users can choose from a variety of options such as blurring their background or selecting a pre-designed image to replace it.

This feature is available both before and during a meeting, giving users flexibility in altering their backgrounds to suit different situations. Additionally, Microsoft Teams also provides background filters that can be applied for added privacy or to express oneself using custom images.

By utilizing these background effects, users can create a more professional or engaging video conferencing experience while eliminating distractions and setting the right tone for their meetings.

What is background blur

Background blur is a feature in Microsoft Teams that helps to remove distracting details from your video call background. This technique keeps the focus on you, the participant, while blurring out any clutter or objects behind you.

It creates a more professional and visually appealing appearance during virtual meetings. With background blur, you can ensure that others are not distracted by what’s happening behind you and maintain visual clarity throughout your video conferencing experience.

Whether you’re using the desktop app or the web browser version of Microsoft Teams, background blur is available as an option to enhance your video calls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting a background in Microsoft Teams is easy and can be done to personalize your video conferencing experience. Whether you want to eliminate distractions, set the right tone, or express yourself, changing your background in Teams can make a difference.

Just follow the steps provided and enjoy customizing your virtual meeting environment.