Exciting Updates to Avatars in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams continues to innovate and enhance the user experience with exciting updates to its Avatars feature. These updates bring new customization options, improved functionality, and enhanced accessibility, making virtual meetings more engaging and personalized. Let's explore the latest updates and what they mean for you.

Create Your Avatar from a Photo

One of the standout features is the ability to create your avatar from a photo. You can now upload an image or use your camera to generate an avatar that closely resembles your likeness. This makes avatar creation easier and more personalized than ever.

Let's create our first avatar from a photo:

Steps to Create Your Avatar from a Photo

1. Open Microsoft Teams:
   • Launch the Microsoft Teams app on your desktop.
2. Install the Avatars App:
   • Click on the "Apps" icon in the left-hand sidebar.
   • Search for "Avatars" and select it.
   • Click "Add" to install the Avatars app. If you don't find it, check under "More added apps."
3. Create Your Avatar:
   • Open the Avatars app.
   • Click on the "+" (plus) symbol and select "Create from photo."
     

      

   • Upload an image or use your camera to take a photo.
     

      

4. Customize Your Avatar:
   • Once your photo is uploaded you will be asked to choose your skin tone. the app will then create 3 recommend avatars based on your uploaded picture. Select the avatar you wish to use.

      

   • Once you've selected your avatar you can further customize your body shape and outfit.

      

5. Save Your Avatar:
   • Once you are finished customizing your avatar click "Next" or "Save and edit" to finalize your avatar.

Enhanced Wardrobe Options

Microsoft has introduced more professional wardrobe styles for avatars. You can customize your avatar's appearance with updated looks available in the Avatars app. This includes a refresh of wardrobe items and their default colors, allowing for more polished and professional customization.

Improved Avatar Emotes

Avatar emotes have been updated to feel more appropriate for business use cases. Some emotes have been removed, while others have had their tone and intensity adjusted to better fit professional settings. Emotes are animated expressions or actions that avatars can perform to convey emotions, reactions, or gestures in virtual environments. 

How to Use Avatars in Teams

To use avatars in your Teams meetings, simply turn on your avatar from the Camera drop-down menu. You can also find more avatar options in the Teams meeting menu under "More ... > Video effects and settings > Avatars."

Conclusion

These updates to Avatars in Microsoft Teams bring a new level of customization, professionalism, and accessibility to virtual meetings. Whether you're creating an avatar from a photo, customizing your wardrobe, or using improved emotes, these enhancements ensure a more engaging and personalized experience. Stay tuned for more updates as Microsoft continues to innovate and improve the Teams platform.