How do you access and use Zoom Virtual Backgrounds?
This guide walks faculty and staff through the process of accessing and using Zoom virtual backgrounds.
Answer
Note:
If you are an employee who is using VPN to connect to your GBC computer, make sure to follow these steps on your local computer, i.e. not using VPN. Since Zoom is not used via VPN, neither should the virtual backgrounds.
1. Navigate your browser to http://go.gbc.edu/zoom-vbg.
2. Enter goldey-beacom as the license code (Step #1 below), your full GBC email address (Step #2 below), and click the Activate License button (Step #3 below).
3. Next, you'll receive an email confirmation with a download link in your email that will look like what you see below. Click the blue button (Download Your Virtual Backgrounds).
4. When prompted, save the zip folder of virtual backgrounds to the location of your choice on your computer, such as to your desktop or laptop.
5. Next, unzip the folders so that you'll be able to browse and find the virtual backgrounds on your computer from the Zoom app. There are various ways to unzip a folder, depending on whether you are on a Mac or a Windows computer. Typically, on a Windows computer, you can double-click the folder that you see (the icon likely looks like a folder with a zipper on it), copy what you see inside, and paste it to another location, like to your desktop, My Documents, etc... Same with a Mac. There are also utilities to help you unzip (but not typically necessary).
Note: If you want to use the virtual background(s) on your mobile devices, you'll need to share the files with your devices. Since these are large files, we recommend picking one or two and sharing those.
From the Zoom App (desktop or laptop)
From the Zoom App, on a desktop or laptop computer, click the Settings gear (#1 below), click Virtual Background (#2 below), and click the plus icon (see below) to browse your computer and find where you saved the unzipped files. Select a photo or video file as your background.
Note: If you have a green screen, you can optionally select that (#3 below) for better quality.
