How to Change MS Teams Background

Microsoft (MS) Teams has become a popular platform for virtual meetings, making it essential to know how to personalize your meeting space. Changing your MS Teams background adds a professional touch, ensures privacy, and reduces distractions.

This guide will show you how to change MS Teams background, blur it, and add custom images.

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How to Change MS Teams Background?

Changing your MS Teams background is simple and can be done in just a few clicks. Follow these steps to customize your MS Teams video background:

1. Join a Meeting. Join or schedule a meeting in Microsoft Teams.

2. ‍Open Background Settings. Click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the meeting controls and select Show background effects.

3. ‍Choose a Background. You will see a selection of default MS Teams background images. Scroll through and select the one you like.‍
4. Apply and Preview. Click on the background you want, and a preview will appear. If you're happy with it, click Apply to set it as your background.

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How to Blur MS Teams Background?

Blurring your background is a great way to keep the focus on you while hiding any distractions behind you. Here's how you can blur your MS Teams background:

1. Join a Meeting. Enter an ongoing meeting or set up a new one.
2. Access Background Effects. Click on the three dots in the meeting controls and choose Apply background effects.

3. ‍Select Blur. Select the blur effect at the top of the background options.

4. ‍Apply Blur. Preview the blur effect and, if satisfied, click Apply.

Blurring the background can be done before or during the meeting. If you prefer to blur before joining, use the background settings on the join screen.

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How do you add an image to the MS Teams background?

You can add your images to the MS Teams virtual background for a more personalized touch. Follow these steps to upload and use a custom background image:

1. Join or Start a Meeting. Begin by entering a meeting.
2. Open Background Effects. Click on the three dots in the meeting controls and select Apply background effects.

3. ‍Add New Image. Click the Add new button at the top of the background settings pane.

4. ‍Upload Image. Browse your computer for the image you want to use and select it. The image will now appear in your background options.‍
5. Apply Custom Background. Choose the uploaded image and click Apply to set it as your background.

Make sure your image is high-quality and appropriate for the meeting setting. This feature allows you to display your brand, show off your favorite place, or have a bit of fun with your meeting background.

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Why Change Your MS Teams Background

Changing your MS Teams background offers several benefits that can enhance your virtual meeting experience. Here's why you should consider it:

1. Privacy. Virtual backgrounds conceal your natural environment, providing privacy and preventing unintentional distractions from your surroundings.
2. Professionalism. Using a clean, professional background can make you appear more prepared and serious about the meeting, leaving a positive impression on your colleagues and clients.
3. Focus. Blurring your background or choosing a simple image helps keep the focus on you, reducing visual distractions for other participants.
4. Branding. Custom backgrounds allow you to incorporate your company's branding, reinforcing your professional identity and making your meetings more consistent with your brand image.

5. ‍Creativity and Engagement. Different backgrounds can make meetings more dynamic and engaging. Whether it's a themed background for a holiday or a motivational image, changing backgrounds can add a touch of creativity to your meetings.‍
6. Comfort. Sometimes, your factual background might need to be meeting-ready. A virtual background ensures you always have a presentable space, regardless of your surroundings.

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Enhancing Your Meetings with MS Teams Backgrounds

Using MS Teams backgrounds effectively can enhance your meetings in several ways:

1. Uniformity. When all team members use similar backgrounds, it creates a sense of uniformity and cohesion, making the meeting look more organized and professional.
2. Reduce Background Noise. Virtual backgrounds can help minimize visual "noise" or distractions, such as movement or other activities happening behind you.
3. Enhance Remote Collaboration. Virtual backgrounds can create a sense of shared space and improve collaboration when working with a distributed team.

4. ‍Icebreakers. Fun or themed backgrounds can serve as conversation starters, making it easier to break the ice, especially in large meetings or with new team members.‍
5. Adaptive Environments. Your background can be adapted to suit different types of meetings, whether it's a formal presentation, a casual team catch-up, or a client pitch.

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Best Practices for Using Team Meetings Background

Using MS Teams backgrounds can significantly improve your meeting experience. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Consider Lighting. Good lighting enhances the effect of your background. Ensure your face is well-lit, and avoid strong backlighting that can interfere with the virtual background.

2. ‍Test Before the Meeting. Test your background before the meeting to ensure it works well with your setup and doesn't cause any visual glitches.‍
3. Keep It Simple. Simple, clean backgrounds work best. Too much detail can be distracting and render the video poorly.‍
4. Update Regularly. Change your background occasionally to keep things fresh and engaging. Seasonal or theme-based backgrounds can add a fun element to your meetings.‍
5. Maintain Professionalism. Always consider the meeting's context. While fun backgrounds can be great for casual meetings, stick to more professional options for formal or client-facing meetings.

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Use Tactiq for Your MS Teams Meetings

Changing your MS Teams background, whether blurring, using default images, or adding your own images, improves your meeting experience by providing a polished, distraction-free environment. Now that you know how to change and customize your Microsoft Teams background, why not take your meetings to the next level with Tactiq?

Tactiq helps you capture and transcribe meeting notes in real-time, ensuring you never miss important details. Whether in a brainstorming session, a client call, or a team check-in, Tactiq ensures you stay organized and productive.

Download and install Tactiq for free to learn more about how you can improve your MS Teams meetings.