I. Introduction
Video conferencing has become a crucial tool for remote work, but the standard backgrounds can be distracting and unprofessional. Custom backgrounds on Teams can not only enhance the visual appeal of meetings but also promote brands and add a personal touch to virtual workplaces. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to change your background on Teams, highlight key features, show creative ideas, and compare Teams with other video conferencing tools.
II. Step-by-Step Guide
Changing your background on Microsoft Teams is easy, and you can do it on both desktop and mobile versions. Follow these simple steps:
Desktop version:
- Join a Teams meeting or call
- Select the three dots icon on the meeting controls and choose “Show background effects”
- Select your preferred background from the available options or click “+Add new” to upload your custom background
- If you choose to upload a custom background, follow the instructions to add it to your computer and select it from the options
- Click “Apply” to set the background
Mobile version:
- Join a Teams meeting or call
- Tap the three dots icon and choose “Device settings”
- Select “Background effects” and choose the desired background from the available options or select “+Add new” to upload your own
- Upload a custom background following the instructions and select it from the options
- Tap “Apply” to set the background
Now you can enjoy your custom background and impress your colleagues!
III. Video Tutorial
If you prefer a more visual demonstration of the process, check out this video tutorial:
This video covers both desktop and mobile versions and explains how to upload custom backgrounds as well.
IV. Highlight Key Features
Custom backgrounds on Teams are not only visually pleasing but also have several advantages. Some of the key features are:
- Brand promotion: You can use custom backgrounds to showcase your brand logos, colours, or images and subtly promote your business.
- Professionalism: A clean, non-distracting background can add a touch of professionalism to virtual workplaces and meetings.
- Engage participants: Custom backgrounds can spark interest and conversation among participants, making the meetings more engaging and interactive.
- Privacy: You can hide your messy or personal background and maintain privacy.
By using custom backgrounds, you can make your meetings more engaging, professional, and effective.
V. Show Examples
Here are some examples of great custom backgrounds that you can use on Teams:
- A sleek design with your company colours and logo
- A nature scene with calming colours and minimal distractions
- A holiday-themed background to add some fun and cheer
- A custom design with your name, job title, or tagline
But don’t stop there! You can use your creativity and imagination to create unique and memorable backgrounds for your video conferencing. How about a beach scene, a cityscape, or a movie scene? The possibilities are endless!
VI. Comparison with Other Video Conferencing Tools
Teams is not the only video conferencing tool that offers background changing functionality. Zoom, Skype, and WebEx, among others, have similar features. But how do they compare?
| Feature | Teams | Zoom | Skype | WebEx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom backgrounds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual backgrounds | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Blur background | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Limitations | Less varied and creative options | Lower quality resolution and less stability | Less options and less stable in low-quality connections | Less creative options with less quality |
As you can see, Teams has custom backgrounds and blur functionality, which make it stand out from Skype and WebEx. Its limitation is the amount of creative options when compared to Zoom; nevertheless, it is highly likely that more options will be added with time to get closer to the options available on the other platforms.
VII. Conclusion
Now you know how to change your background on Teams and why custom backgrounds are beneficial. You can also experiment with creative backgrounds and compare Teams to other video conferencing tools to find the right fit for your virtual workplace. Remember, custom backgrounds can enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of video conferencing and make remote work more interactive and engaging.
