Navigating a Zoom Meeting

Once starting or joining a Zoom meeting, you will be presented with several options for communicating and sharing content with participants. If the meeting toolbar is not visible, move your mouse toward the bottom of the Zoom window to display the toolbar.

A. Audio

The Audio button allows you to:

  • Mute and unmute your microphone
  • Select a different microphone
  • Test speaker and microphone settings
  • Access audio settings

Use this option whenever you need to adjust how participants hear you.

B. Video

The Video button allows you to:

  • Start or stop your webcam
  • Change camera devices
  • Access video settings
  • Configure virtual backgrounds and video effects

Use this option to control what participants see during the meeting.

C. Participants

The Participants button displays a list of everyone currently attending the meeting.

Hosts can:

  • Mute or unmute participants
  • Remove participants
  • Rename participants
  • Manage participant permissions
  • View raised hands and reactions


D. Chat

The Chat feature allows participants to communicate through text messages during a meeting.

Participants can:

  • Send messages to everyone
  • Send messages to individual participants (if enabled)
  • Share links and information

E. Reactions

The Reactions button allows participants to quickly communicate without interrupting the meeting.

Common reactions include:

  • ? Thumbs Up
  • ? Applause
  • ❤️ Heart
  • ✋ Raise Hand

Hosts can use reactions to quickly gauge participant understanding or engagement.

F. Share

The Share button allows you to share content with meeting participants.

Available sharing options typically include:

  • Entire Screen
  • Application Window
  • PowerPoint Presentation
  • Web Browser
  • Whiteboard

If sharing content that contains audio, remember to enable Share sound before beginning the share.

G. Host Tools

Host Tools provide meeting management controls available only to the meeting host and co-hosts.

Common options include:

  • Polls and Quizzes
  • Breakout Rooms
  • Captions
  • Recording Controls
  • Participant Management Controls

The options displayed may vary depending on your Zoom settings and account permissions.

H. More

The More menu contains additional meeting features that may not appear directly on the toolbar.

Examples can include:

  • Whiteboards
  • Apps
  • Meeting Settings
  • Focus Mode
  • Captions
  • Additional collaboration tools

The available options may vary based on your Zoom version and account settings.

I. Recording

If recording is enabled, hosts can:

  • Record locally
  • Record to the Zoom Cloud
  • Pause recording
  • Stop recording

The recording status appears in the upper-right corner of the Zoom window.

J. AI Companion and Notes

Depending on your Zoom license and settings, Zoom may provide AI-powered meeting tools such as:

  • Meeting Summaries
  • Smart Recording Features
  • AI-generated Notes
  • Follow-up Tasks

When enabled, indicators will appear during the meeting.

K. End

The End button allows you to:

  • Leave the meeting
  • End the meeting for all participants (hosts only)

Hosts should use End Meeting for All when the meeting has concluded.

Helpful Tips

✅ Use Chat to encourage participation

✅ Use Reactions to gather quick feedback

✅ Use Share to present instructional materials

✅ Use Host Tools to create polls and breakout rooms

✅ Consider using Whiteboards for collaboration activities

✅ Record important meetings when appropriate