Table of Contents
Overview
Microsoft Teams is now available for employees to use as an alternative to Zoom. Learn how Microsoft's instant messaging, document management and videoconferencing features integrate to make your meetings easier.
See our Zoom vs. Teams feature comparison guide for more information.
Get the latest step by step instructions directly from Microsoft.
Please see our list of recommended Linkedin Learning courses for Microsoft Teams.
For the best possible Teams Video experience, ECU's official recommendation is to download and install the Teams app onto your computer. Please sign-in with your ECU credentials (e-mail and password) and 2FA.
Here are the system requirements for Teams.
Note: Teams can still be accessed from the browser.
Teams for Curriculum - Faculty Training (Video)
Teams for Curriculum - Student Training (Video)
Transition from Zoom to Teams Video FAQ
1. Why are we switching from Zoom to Teams Video?
We’re combining video platforms to save money and improve collaboration. MS Teams is already widely used by other staff and administrative areas of ECU.
2. When will Zoom no longer be available?
Zoom will no longer be available after December 22nd, 2025. Staring January 12th, all Spring 2026 online classes will use Teams Video only.
3. Can external users join ECU Teams meetings, classes or webinars?
Yes! External users can join via email invitation and access the meeting using the Teams app, Outlook or a browser.
4. What are the system requirements for Teams?
Teams works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Meetings can also be accessed through a browser. Check here to see if your system meets the requirements.
5. Does Teams Video have breakout rooms?
Yes, breakout rooms are available for meetings with fewer than 300 participants. You can assign attendees to rooms before or during the meeting. Some features may not work in the browser version.
6. Can I record my meetings/classes in Teams Video?
Yes, you can record meetings, webinars, or classes. Recordings include audio, video, and screen sharing, and can be securely shared within your organization. They are saved to OneDrive.
7. Can the attendees in my meeting share their screens?
They can, but as meeting organizer you must manually permit them to screen share by changing their role from "attendee" to "presenter". This is done from the "People" tab in the meeting: hover over the microphone icon next to their name and it will turn into an ellipsis (...), click on the ellipsis and select "Make a presenter". You may wish to make them attendees once again after they are done presenting.
8. Is there a waiting room option in Teams Video?
Yes, it’s called the lobby. Participants wait in the lobby until admitted by the organizer, co-organizer, or presenter.
9. Does Teams Video have co-hosts or alternative hosts?
Yes, Teams offers four roles: Organizer, Co-organizer, Presenter, and Attendee.
10. Does Teams support large meetings like Zoom Webinars?
Yes, Teams also supports Webinars.
11. What accessibility features does Teams Video offer?
Teams includes live captions, screen reader support, high contrast mode, and meeting transcripts.
12. Does Teams Video have an attendance feature?
Yes, you can enable and download attendance reports after meetings.
13. How many people can join a Teams Video meeting?
Teams supports up to 1,000 participants in a single meeting.
14. Can I schedule meetings or classes in Teams Video like in Zoom?
Yes, you can schedule one-time or recurring meetings in the Teams app or browser and invite participants via email.
15. What if I need Zoom for specific teaching needs?
Zoom will remain unsupported by IT and will incur its own cost, that is to be managed by the individual or department it is specific to.
16. Who can I contact for help during the transition?
Contact your department’s project team, the IT Service Desk, or the CTS team at 604.630.4559.
17. What happens to my Zoom recordings and scheduled meetings?
Zoom recordings must be manually backed up to OneDrive. Scheduled Zoom meetings need to be recreated in Teams. For help, use the request form at the top of this page or contact CTS at the provided number.
18. Can I still use Zoom for research or external collaboration?
Yes, but ITS will not provide ongoing support for these exceptions.
19. How do you schedule a Teams Video meeting from a group calendar?
The individual scheduling a meeting on a group calendar becomes the meeting's organizer. If they do not plan on attending the meeting, they must invite someone else and appoint them co-organizer. This is set up in the Meeting Options.
20. Can I move a meeting recording to another folder within Teams without downloading it?
Yes, you can. The meeting organizer can move and download recordings. Since Teams integrates with OneDrive, the organizer can transfer the recording to another channel or folder without leaving Teams.
21. Can I automatically mute participants when they join my Teams Video meeting?
Yes. Participants are automatically muted upon entry if there are five or more attendees in the meeting. You can also mute participants manually.
22. Can I join a Teams Video meeting anonymously or change my name?
No. This feature is only available in the premium version of Teams, which is not currently available.
23. Does the university have an AI app for taking meeting minutes that integrates with Teams?
No, the university has not purchased such an app. However, Teams includes recording and transcription features. The transcription can be used as a draft for meeting notes or minutes. You can also generate a transcript without recording the meeting and download it.
24. How can I create a recurring personal meeting link (e.g., for a class) in Microsoft Teams?
Follow these steps to create a recurring personal meeting link:
- Open your Teams calendar and click the "+" button to create a new meeting.
- Enter the meeting details and set it for the entire day.
- Under the date, click "Does not repeat" and set it to repeat daily (or Monday - Friday) with a distant end date.
- Select "Show as free" to avoid blocking your calendar. Copy the meeting link and share it with participants.
25. Can users share files in Teams?
Yes. Files can be shared from OneDrive or directly within Teams.
26. How long is the retention policy for meeting chat and recordings?
Meeting chats and recordings will be automatically deleted 90 days upon their entry. Chats you wish to back up must be done manually with copy and paste. Recordings must be moved from the "Recordings" folder in OneDrive to a different folder.