Like Zoom,Microsoft Teamsis constantly improving with new updates to help us work and communicate remotely. One such update is the ability to add backgrounds to your calls to hide the mess and chaos of your world or just jazz things up a bit.
If you’re wondering how to add backgrounds to your calls, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you how to select a new call background and which backgrounds to use for the best results.
How to blur your background in Microsoft Teams
If you don’t necessarily want to use a fake background, but also don’t want people on your call seeing your kids wandering around or your less than professional backdrop then Teams has the answer.
Using a basic setting you can simply blur the background of your call while keeping yourself in focus.
The process of blurring your background is simple enough. When you’re about to start a call onTeamsyou’ll see a purple slider the bottom next to the video option. Simply use that slider to blur your webcam background before the call starts.
If you’re already on the call then you can just hover your cursor near the bottom of the call window and you’ll see a menu icon appear. Click that and select the “blur my background” option.
Using a default Teams background
If background blurring isn’t quite cutting it, then you can go a step further with the help of the default backgrounds available within Teams. There are a number of backgrounds to choose from whether simple office scenes or something a bit more luxurious.
To use a pre-installed Teams background is simple enough too. When you’re connecting to a call on Teams you’ll see an option with a slider next to the camera icon. Using that you may turn virtual backgrounds on and you’ll then get the ability to select the background of your choosing.
How to use your own backgrounds in Microsoft Teams
It’s now possible to add your own custom images from your PC and use them as backgrounds for your Microsoft Teams call. You can select the default ones or click “add new” and upload your own files.
Microsoft has a nice selection ofimages available to download herebut if you have access to your own personal images then you can use them instead.
Add your images
To add your own images, click that add new button, find the appropriate folder on your PC and upload them. The images need to be a good size for the best result - 1920 x 1080 seems a sensible choice. They should also be either JPG or PNG.
Once uploaded, you can then simply follow the same process that you would to choose a default image. Click the slider next to the camera icon and the default images should appear as normal. Scroll through them and you’ll see the ones you added. Select the one you want and you’re away.
Family Guy
We’ve already put together a list of thebest backgrounds to use for Zoom calls, so it makes sense to recommend some good ones to use for Teams as well.
Of course, your Microsoft Teams calls might be a tad more on the professional side, being mostly work calls, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use some classic images to make things a little more interesting.
Space and our world
NASA has all sorts ofawesome imagesthat are available to download and use. Those photos include shots from theEarth Observatoryand theInternational Space Station. Magnificent views of our world that’ll make for an awesome backdrop to your calls.
Something a little cuter comes in the form of this classic Pixar scene from Toy Story. Instantly recognisable and unlikely to offend anyone. What more could you want?
Everything is fine
The classic meme is perfectly suited to the madness that’s unfolding in the world at the moment. Hopefully, your meetings will go better if you can start them off with a smile. It might not be the most professional Teams background, but it’s certainly a good one.
Lego hassome fantastic images available to downloadand use as backgrounds. As you’d expect they have a nice Lego theme to them with a variety of fun scenes that’ll help show your fun side.
A calming scene
A more believable view of a tidy office space that could easily be your home. Or at least it’ll do if you want to pretend it is while you’re on your Teams call.
Business as usual
Nothing to see here. Just a man and his banana. Perfect backdrop fodder if you ask us.
