Spicing up your video conferences with a unique background can add a fun and creative touch to your virtual meetings. With Microsoft Teams, you have the option to personalize your background with a stunning landscape, humorous image, or even a polished professional backdrop. Follow along in this guide as I show you the steps to add a fake background in Microsoft Teams, and also share my own tips and tricks.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Teams
To begin, open Microsoft Teams on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the Microsoft website. Once you have it open, sign in with your Microsoft account or your work or school account.
Step 2: Join a Meeting or Start a New One
Next, join a meeting or start a new one. To join a meeting, simply click on the “Join” button from the main Teams screen and enter the meeting code or click on the meeting link you received. If you want to start a new meeting, click on the “Meet” button and choose either “Meet now” or “Schedule a meeting” depending on your preference.
Step 3: Access Background Settings
Once you’re in a meeting, click on the three-dot menu at the bottom of the screen and select “Show background effects”. This will open up the background settings panel on the right side of the screen.
Step 4: Choose a Fake Background
Now comes the fun part! In the background settings panel, you’ll see a variety of pre-loaded backgrounds to choose from. Simply click on the one you like, and it will instantly replace your real background. From serene beaches to outer space, there’s a background for every mood and occasion. If you want to add your own custom background, click on the “+ Add new” button, and select an image from your computer.
Step 5: Adjust and Fine-Tune
Once you’ve selected a background, you can adjust and fine-tune it to your liking. Microsoft Teams provides options to blur your background, making it more visually appealing and keeping the focus on you during the meeting. You can also adjust the strength of the background effect, depending on how subtle or prominent you want it to be.
Step 6: Test and Enjoy
Before joining a meeting or when you’re in a meeting, take a moment to test your fake background. Look at your preview window to ensure that the background is displayed correctly and doesn’t interfere with your appearance. Once you’re satisfied with your chosen background, go ahead and enjoy your virtual meetings with a touch of personalization!
Conclusion
Adding a fake background in Microsoft Teams is a simple and fun way to add a personal touch to your video calls. Whether you want to change your surroundings or add a touch of humor, Microsoft Teams provides a variety of options to suit your preferences. So go ahead, explore the background settings, and make your virtual meetings more enjoyable and visually appealing!
