Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft Teams. Matt Wade

the Desktop App

       Modify Your Personal Settings

       Switch Between Dark Mode and Light Mode

       Add or Update Your Profile Photo

       Access and Manage Your Saved Messages

       Access a List of Keyboard Shortcuts

       Set Up and Manage Your Video and Audio Devices

       View a Person’s Contact Card

       View the Organization Chart

       Switch Between Organizations as a Guest

       Leave an Organization as a Guest

       Log Out of Teams

Log into Teams

Almost anything you want to do in Teams you can do through the browser version of Teams (known as the web app). There are some upsides to using the web app: It’s quicker and uses less memory on your computer; you can have multiple Teams, files, and guest accounts open at once; and you can log into it from pretty much any computer, which is helpful when you’re on the go. That said, there are key features you will not get in the web app, especially during online meetings. The desktop app is generally a better, more full experience. However, when you need it, the web app is there for you.

      The Teams desktop app provides the richest experience of all the options when it comes to using Teams. You’ll get all the features in your online meetings, native notifications in Windows and macOS, as well as some other key benefits. That said, and to be candid, the Teams desktop app can be a resource hog. If you find that your computer is overheating or slowing down, try closing the Teams app and using the web app instead. Otherwise, enjoy everything that comes with the desktop app. If you do not have the app installed, see the next section, “Install the Desktop App.”

      One of the best aspects of Teams is the ability to hop between the desktop and mobile version with ease. Most of the features you use regularly on the desktop are available in some way on your favorite iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices. Bring chat, files, teams, meetings, and more on the go with the full-featured mobile app. In this section, we are using iOS as the example, but the setup should be similar on iPadOS and Android.

      Log into the Web App

      Log into the Web App

      

Open your favorite web browser and browse to https://teams.microsoft.com.

      Note: While other browsers are supported, you will have the best experience in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Enter your work or school email address and click Next.

      

Enter your password and click Sign in.

      Note: Once the system recognizes your email address, a logo and background image representing the organization you are connecting to should appear, letting you know that you are logging into the right place.

      

You may be asked whether you want to stay signed in. Select the appropriate response. If you are on a public computer (e.g., at a hotel or library), always say no.

Your browser may ask if you want to save your username and password. Select the appropriate response. If you are on a public computer (e.g., at a hotel or library), always say no.

      

The Teams app should load.

       You can jump to other Microsoft 365 apps by clicking the app launcher () or “waffle” in the top-left corner.

       If you are using Microsoft Edge, you can sign into the browser with your email address and password, and it will automatically sign you in to Microsoft apps and services.

Log into the Desktop App

Log into the Desktop App

      

Open the Teams desktop app. On Windows, open the Start menu and search Teams. On macOS, open the Applications folder and open Microsoft Teams.

      

In the sign-in window, select an existing account or enter a new email address to use, and then click Sign in.

      

Enter your password and click Sign in.

      Note: Once the system recognizes your email address, a logo and background image representing your organization should appear, letting you know that you are logging into the right place.

      Note: You may be asked whether you want to stay signed in. Select the appropriate response.