Blog, Coronavirus Pandemic, Offsite/Work-from-Home, Microsoft Teams

Custom Backgrounds Now Available for Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Kelly Jones

Custom Backgrounds Now Available for Microsoft Teams

As more and more of us come to rely on our home offices to get us through the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s worth noting that Microsoft Teams — the productivity tool that’s built into Office365 — is improving its already robust set of collaboration features.

Custom Backgrounds for Microsoft Teams have been rolled out to those users who have the updated Teams since the April 3, 2020 release. This is an extension of the “blur background” feature that already exists when you are using video conferencing and calling within Microsoft Teams.

Learn how to use “Blur Background” on your current Teams Desktop Application »

Learn more about the Custom Background testing and options for your Teams Desktop Application »

 

How to use Custom Backgrounds

To use the Microsoft Teams custom background, click on the “…” when joining any meeting inside Teams. Choose “Background Effects” and on the panel that appears on the left, scroll through your background options. Any backgrounds you add to the folder…

C:\Users\YOUR_USER_NAME_HERE\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads

…will appear at the end of the list. If you are using backgrounds with words/logos, make sure you have uploaded a version that has the words or logo “backwards” or “mirrored.”

Use the Preview option at the bottom to review your selected background before joining the meeting with it.

Currently, you do need to reset your background for each meeting you join, but this functionality may be added to Teams in the future.

Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones is an honors graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. She uses her previous experience as a Chief Technology Officer, owner and co-operator of an accounting and tax preparation firm and a Small Business Start-Up Specialist to share her knowledge with her clients and others as a frequently promoted speaker on technology issues. She has presented on billing, accounting, security and business processes for local and national accounting professional organizations, legal technology conferences, and law schools as well as on an international speaking tour. Her primary focuses include billing and accounting efficiency, document and case management, business process management and training. Never one to sit still for long, since joining Circle Management Group in 2013, Kelly has helped grow the company’s small business and government market by pairing her technical know-how with her impressive skills in troubleshooting, e-marketing, and professional communications. She also continues her love and previous career of dance and movement through Pilates instruction and the occasional choreography request.