Zoom Meetings: How to Get Started and Use Key Features

Before You Begin

  • Make sure you have a Zoom account. If you are using for university business you will need to acquire a licensed account.
  • If you are using for personal communication, sign up at zoom.us if you don’t have an account using a personal email address rather than your university email address. 
  • Download and install the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device or use the web version.
  • Ensure your device has a working camera, microphone and Internet connection.

Instructions

  1. Sign In to Zoom

    • Open the Zoom app or go to zoom.us.
    • Enter your email and password, or sign in with Google, Facebook or SSO if using a licensed UofL account. 

  2. Schedule a Meeting

    • Click Schedule.
    • Enter meeting details (date, time, topic).
    • Set options like requiring a passcode or enabling a waiting room.
    • Click Save and send the invite link to participants.

  3. Join a Meeting

    • Click the meeting link in your invitation or open Zoom and select Join.
    • Enter the Meeting ID and passcode if prompted.

  4. Start a Meeting

    • Click New Meeting to begin instantly.
    • Invite participants by clicking Participants then Invite.

  5. Use Meeting Controls

    • Mute/unmute your microphone with Mute.
    • Start/stop your video with Start Video.
    • Click Share Screen to show your desktop or an app.
    • Use Chat to send messages to everyone or specific participants.
    • Click Record to save the meeting (if enabled).

  6. Manage Participants

    • Click Participants to see who’s in the meeting.
    • As host you can mute others, remove participants or assign co-hosts.

  7. End or Leave a Meeting

    • Click End to finish the meeting for everyone or Leave to exit while others continue.

Further Readings

 

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