As a regular user of Zoom for video meetings and virtual events, a frequent query I encounter is how to delete chat messages while in a Zoom meeting. These messages may contain sensitive details or distracting discussions that you may prefer to eliminate from the meeting’s record. In the following guide, I will walk you through the steps to delete chat messages during a Zoom meeting.
Step 1: Accessing the Chat Window
To delete a chat message in Zoom during a meeting, first, you need to access the chat window. During the meeting, locate the chat icon at the bottom of the Zoom window and click on it. The chat window will appear on the right side of your screen.
Step 2: Locating the Chat Message
Once you have opened the chat window, find the message that you want to delete. You can scroll through the chat log to locate the specific message. Zoom allows you to delete your own messages as well as messages from other participants.
Step 3: Deleting a Chat Message
To delete your own chat message, hover your mouse over the message and click on the three-dot icon that appears on the right side. From the options that appear, select “Delete” and confirm the deletion when prompted.
If you want to delete someone else’s chat message, you must be the host or co-host of the Zoom meeting. Hover your mouse over the message, click on the three-dot icon, and choose “Delete for everyone” to remove the message from the chat window for all participants.
Note:
Deleting a chat message in Zoom only removes it from the chat window during the meeting. It does not delete the message from the chat log or the meeting recording. If you’re concerned about the message being saved, it’s recommended to address the issue with the meeting host or check if your Zoom settings allow for auto-deletion of chat logs.
Conclusion
Deleting chat messages during a Zoom meeting can be a handy feature to maintain confidentiality and keep the conversation focused. Whether you want to remove your own messages or delete messages from other participants, Zoom provides the necessary options to manage the chat effectively. However, it’s important to remember that deleting a chat message only removes it from the chat window, not the chat log or meeting recording.