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Office of the CIO  ›  Computing Services  ›  Services  ›  Communication and Collaboration  ›  Web Conferencing  ›  Zoom  ›  How to Use Zoom

How to Use Zoom

Zoom is Carnegie Mellon's preferred web conferencing platform and offers a wide selection of features to master your study groups, classes, or meetings. Review the sections below for more information on all you can do with Zoom!

Get Started  Join a Meeting  Host a Meeting  Security

Learn About Zoom

Want to learn more about all of the Zoom tools available to you? Zoom's got you covered!

VISIT ZOOM'S SUPPORT RESOURCES

Get Started

Step 1: Download, Install, and Log In

  1. Download the Zoom app. 

  2. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install.

  3. Click Sign In.

    View Video

  4. Click Sign In with SSO.

  5. Enter cmu into the Enter your company domain field and confirm .zoom.us is selected.

  6. Click Continue.

  7. Enter your Andrew userID and password. 

  8. The Zoom app will open, and you may close the browser.

  9. Click your profile icon (upper right) and select Settings from the drop-down list.

  10. Click General (left), and under Zoom Updates, click the Automatically keep Zoom Desktop client up to date option to enable it.

Note: Never use a personal Zoom account for CMU business or classwork.

Step 2: Configure the Recommended CMU Settings

  1. Visit cmu.zoom.us and click Sign In.
  2. Click Settings (left) and then Meeting (top). Note: Apply the settings outlined in steps 3 and 4 below to ensure the most secure Zoom experience.
  3. Disable the following settings:
    • Host video
    • Participant video
    • Allow participants to join before host
  4. Enable the following settings:
    • Mute all participants when they join a meeting
    • Require a passcode for Personal Meeting ID (PMI)
  5. Click Profile (left) and click the Edit link to the left of your name to update your preferred name and pronouns.
  6. Close your browser.

Participate in a Meeting

Join a Meeting

  1. Click the Zoom meeting link you received from the event host, then enter the meeting passcode if prompted.
  2. Enter your name if prompted. You will only be asked to provide this if you are not already logged in to Zoom.
  3. Click Open Zoom, if prompted, to join your meeting with the Zoom app.
  4. The meeting will launch, and you will be given the option to join audio or automatically join audio for future meetings.
  5. Click Leave when the meeting has ended to leave the meeting.

Popular Meeting Controls for Participants

Other Features You Might Use

Host a Meeting

Schedule and Start Meetings

Note: Meeting hosts do not require a separate link to join the meeting. If you are logged into the Zoom app, you will automatically become the meeting host once you join the meeting.

Hosting a Large Meeting?

Consider adding Zoom large meeting or webinar subscriptions to your account or visit Web Conferencing Comparison.

Popular Meeting Controls for Hosts

Other Features You Might Use

Secure a Meeting or Class

It is crucial to secure your CMU Zoom meetings. Doing so ensures a safe and comfortable online learning and work environment. 

For that reason, all CMU Zoom meetings will be restricted by default in the following ways:

  • All meetings will require a passcode. This cannot be changed on an individual basis.
  • Only the host will be able to share content in meetings. This can be adjusted from within a meeting or class using Zoom's security options.

Zoombombing

If you experience Zoombombing, click Security > Suspend Participant Activities > Suspend and immediately report the incident to iso-ir@andrew.cmu.edu.

Is your data safe?

Your data is secure in the Zoom cloud. Learn all the facts before you record.

VISIT OUR PRIVACY POLICY