Apr 06 2020 12:18 PM - edited Apr 06 2020 03:53 PM
UPDATED It looks like this is in the process of being rolled out or at least actively tested.
If you have the version with the option to select a background image, custom images can be added.
Save your image /s in the Uploads folder below
C:\Users\YOUR_USER_NAME_HERE\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads
Then, in teams while on a call; click the 'More Actions' (Three Dots) at the bottom, select 'Show Background Effects'
The pictures you added should show up on the right hand side of the screen with the default options from Microsoft.
Good Luck!
S
Apr 23 2020 01:39 PM
That's great news! Are there any kind of specifications about size, dimensions, or resolution to be most effective?
Apr 25 2020 06:41 AM
@kalyanamitras Don't feel bad, it seems 1/2 my co-workers or more have the ability and yet my account still does not.
Apr 25 2020 01:28 PM - edited Apr 25 2020 01:28 PM
Apr 26 2020 02:07 PM
If you suddently don't see the Backgrounds option on a Mac, even if you previously saw the Background Blur option, it's likely because Microsoft Teams developers made an unfortunate decision to exclude any CPU that doesn't support AVX 2.0, which is a lot of slightly older CPUs.
More here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams/blur-background-on-mac-os/m-p/1268681
Apr 28 2020 10:24 AM
Thanks you so much. The internet provided the wrong folder and I was going crazy.
May 04 2020 06:10 AM
May 04 2020 10:34 AM
For some reason the print on my added virtual background is reversed (mirrored) - is there any easy fix on Teams?
May 04 2020 11:48 AM
Generally it's only reversed in your preview window but other people should see it properly.
May 06 2020 08:06 AM
May 06 2020 08:07 AM
May 06 2020 08:55 AM
@HIPRM I don't know, but I can say that I have the latest version, still no background options other than blur. Since I'm one of the "techy" people in my office that people come to, it's getting a bit frustrating not having the capability. It's less about the capability which I'll seldom use and more the fact the software appears to just not be updating to allow that specific functionality even if the version is current.
May 06 2020 01:14 PM
@CiiZii - so if once these folders are created the feature works? That's great! What version are you on?
May 06 2020 01:23 PM
@HIPRM - Version currently is 1.3.00.9267 (64-bit) updated on 5/5/20 - but I started using the feature on 1st of May so I it would have been an previous version. The feature was already available on that day, with some existing backgrounds that microsoft provides. Adding those folders and then putting a file in "uploads" simply caused that image to be one of the background image options...
May 06 2020 01:48 PM
May 06 2020 02:19 PM
@HIPRM - Definitely restart teams if you haven't done that - or it could be due to enterprise group policy, or who know what. Another forum was seeing your same situation where latest update showed that older version number, but had no solution.
Maybe you could get the MSI from here and see if installing that works (create a restore point first!) - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/msi-deployment
Also I saw a comment that someone had to use the path with "local" instead of "roaming" to see the custom background images - but of course N/A to you since option doesn't appear at all...
May 06 2020 02:34 PM
@CiiZii I downloaded a fresh package from the Microsoft site, but I get the same version after I re-install! My suspicion is that it reacts to the version of a Windows component. Because I can't update my Windows install, I'm stuck. I need to experiment with a non-work machine and see if I get the same results.
May 07 2020 12:33 AM
May 07 2020 05:03 AM
@HIPRM - mine is Enterprise 1809, OS Build version 10.0.17763.1158 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4549949/windows-10-update-kb4549949
Run Winver and see the build, then consult https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/ - Release history
So it is possible one of the recent KBs enabled teams "background effects".
OR maybe this is even more likely - it could be video capability issue:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/hardware-requirements-for-the-teams-app
which has link to
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/hardware-decoders-and-encoders
May 07 2020 05:07 AM
@HIPRM - also, remember what you are looking for is the "show background effects" option. And it will only show if you are in a meeting. (per OP "...in teams while on a call; click the 'More Actions' (Three Dots) at the bottom, select 'Show Background Effects' ")
You need to be able access that option first before worrying about seeing or creating the folder to add the custom images....
May 07 2020 05:34 AM
@HIPRM and @Brian_Myers - I think this previous reply is most likely explanation, and it would apply to Windows and Mac as it is simply hardware related.... And see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Vector_Extensions - the "CPUs with AVX2" section
MontyPyspock
replied to seanwindrem
04-26-2020 02:07 PM
If you suddently don't see the Backgrounds option on a Mac, even if you previously saw the Background Blur option, it's likely because Microsoft Teams developers made an unfortunate decision to exclude any CPU that doesn't support AVX 2.0, which is a lot of slightly older CPUs.
More here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams/blur-background-on-mac-os/m-p/1268681