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.
Objective or Task
Learn how to sign in, schedule or join meetings, use basic controls and share your screen in Zoom Meetings.
Instructions
-
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.
-
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.
-
Join a Meeting
- Click the meeting link in your invitation or open Zoom and select Join.
- Enter the Meeting ID and passcode if prompted.
-
Start a Meeting
- Click New Meeting to begin instantly.
- Invite participants by clicking Participants then Invite.
-
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).
-
Manage Participants
- Click Participants to see who’s in the meeting.
- As host you can mute others, remove participants or assign co-hosts.
-
End or Leave a Meeting
- Click End to finish the meeting for everyone or Leave to exit while others continue.
Outcome
After following these steps you’ll be able to host, join and manage Zoom Meetings confidently. You’ll know how to use essential controls, share your screen and communicate with participants.
Further Readings
Need Additional Help
Contact the ITS HelpDesk: Call 502-852-7997 during business hours:
- Monday through Thursday: 6:00am – 10:00pm
- Friday: 6:00am – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 7:00am – 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
- University Holidays: 7:00am – 5:00pm
- Closed on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
If you have an emergency during off hours, call the HelpDesk to be transferred to an on-call technician, or leave your request on voicemail. Your call will be returned the next day starting at 7am unless you specify a time.
Live Chat: Chat with the ITS HelpDesk during business hours.
Submit a Ticket: Use the self-service portal at http://service.louisville.edu to log requests or check the status of existing tickets.
In-Person Support: Visit the iTechConnect 1:1 help located on the lower level of the Miller Information Technology Center, Belknap Campus, during business hours.