Custom Microsoft Teams Background Image: How to Change Background on Teams
Collaborative tools exist to make work environments far more efficient and to help those that work remotely from one another.
However, this doesn’t mean that collaborative tools are all work and no play, and one great example is Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams allows you to send files, emotes, images, and it even supports custom background images for when you make video calls.
What’s a Custom Teams Background Image?
Just like how a filter adds visual effects to your face when taking a selfie, a custom background image is pretty much a filter for your surroundings.
These can be an excellent tool for when you are making a video call from a place where you might not like others to see, or when you just don’t want to show off what a mess your office or room is.
On the other hand, custom video backgrounds can also be used to liven things up in a conversation, especially if you use funny images.
The best part about this feature is that you can also select from a collection of backgrounds that come with Microsoft Teams or add your own.
How to Change Background on Teams
In order to learn how to change custom backgrounds, you’ll first need to learn how to upload your very own custom backgrounds first.
Only after you’ve done that will you learn to actually apply those custom backgrounds.
How to Upload a Custom Microsoft Teams Background Image
Method 1
- Start a video call with Microsoft Teams
- Within the call’s UI, select the More actions button
- It looks like a button with three dots on it
- Click on Apply background effects
- Click on Add new
- Browse for the image that you with to upload as your new background
- Click on Open
The image will now be added in Microsoft Team’s image library and will become available for you to apply at all times.
Method 2
- Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu
- Type in this pc and click on This PC
- Go to your Windows install partition (usually drive C:)
- Go to Users
- Open your user profile
- Click on the View Tab in the File Explorer
- Check the box next to Show hidden items
- Open the AppData folder that has now become visible
- Go to Roaming
- Open the folder labeled Microsoft
- Open the Teams folder
- Browse the Backgrounds folder and open the Uploads folder
- Paste the image you want to add as a custom background in this folder
Your images should now have been added manually in your Microsoft Teams’ library.
In order to simplify the process next time you want to add a custom background, we recommend that you add the Uploads folder to your Quick Access menu in the File Explorer.
How Do I Apply a Custom Teams Background Image?
- Start a video call with Microsoft Teams
- Within the call’s UI, select the More actions button
- Click on Apply background effects
- Browse for the image you want to apply
- At this point, you can select Preview to see what it would look like if you applied the custom background
- Select Apply
- If your webcam is turned on when making these changes, the button will be called Apply and turn on video
- If your webcam is turned on when making these changes, the button will be called Apply and turn on video
How Do I Blur Teams Background
If you’re not interested in using custom background for whatever reason, and all you want to do is simply make your surroundings less obvious, there’s always the option of simply applying a blur effect to it.
Here’s how you can apply this effect:
- Start a video call with Microsoft Teams
- Within the call’s UI, select the More actions button
- Click on Apply background effects
- Click on Blur
- Select Apply
- If your webcam is turned on when making these changes, the button will be called Apply and turn on video
Change Background in Teams: Conclusion
As you can see, there’s not a lot to be done when you want to use custom backgrounds in Microsoft Teams. While the upload methods differ depending on how old the app you’re using is, applying a custom background or even a blur effect is extremely easy.
Let us know what other great tips and tricks about Microsoft Teams you want to learn, and we’ll come up with the articles as soon as possible.
Some feedback in the comments section would also be of great help!
