Introducing Zoom Workplace

With the leap to version 6.0, Zoom rebrands with a refreshed interface and a host of new tools and choices

Zoom's desktop app, now named Zoom Workspace, includes updated features and new productivity solutions— all designed to enhance your collaboration experience. While the list of new enhancements is extensive, here's an overview of some key standouts. For more complete list of the latest Zoom Workplace updates and enhancements, review the release notes.

1. Simplified in-meeting interface

If you're familiar with the Zoom desktop app, you'll notice a refreshed look with new functionality that makes it easier to organize and find what you use most.

Button icons have a slightly different look, and some features have shorter names. For example, “Share Screen” is now Share, and “Reactions” is now React.
Security features are found under Host tools.
Customize the toolbar by dropping and dragging items, including from the More menu, into the order you prefer. For instance, if you frequently use polls but rarely use breakout rooms, you can place the Polls on your taskbar and put Breakout rooms under More.
The End (and Leave) meeting buttons have icons.
The Meeting Information (shield) icon has moved to the top right of the app window.
The View menu in the top right provides access to new functionality that lets you change the look and layout of your video, such as multi-speker view, wallpaper, and more.

2. New color theme

Add a splash of color to suit your mood. New color schemes, including bloom (blue), agave (green), rose (red), and classic (black) are available when running Light mode.

To pick a hue, go into your Settings, and under the General tab, select a theme.
You can change the color scheme during a meeting using the drop-down View menu at the top right of the app window.
Alternatively, opt for Dark mode as a sort of color scheme in itself.
Learn more about changing the color of the Zoom Workplace app.

3. Wallpaper

Bring some visual cohesion to your virtual gathering. Meeting hosts and co-hosts can pick an image to apply to the background behind all participants' video tiles.

To do this, navigate to the View menu at the top right of the app window and select Set meeting wallpaper.
Select from the available images that appear in the window. The image will be applied to the background behind participants' video tiles.
(Optional) Click Set the participant background transparency to enable the slider and adjust transparency.
Learn more about using meeting wallpapers.

4. Multi-speaker view

The new multi-speaker view, which dynamically highlights and enlarges the video tiles of those actively speaking, is one several layouts available when no one is screen sharing.

To activate for meeting with more than five participants, go to View in the top right of the app window.
With multi-speaker view, pinning is supported but spotlighting is not.
Learn more about adjusting your video layout during a meeting.

5. Multi-share

With multi-share, hosts can allow multiple participants to share screens, documents, and whiteboards simultaneously during meetings from the desktop client.

To enable this feature during a meeting, navigate to the in-meeting controls toolbar.
Click the upward arrow to the right of Share and then select Multiple participants can share simultaneously. This feature can also be pre-enabled in your Zoom web portal.
Participants will see the two most recently shared screens (if using dual monitors) or the most recently shared screen (if using a single monitor). They can use View Options to change the screen they are viewing.
Learn more about Zoom screen sharing.

6. Personalized audio isolation

The Personalized audio isolation profile helps Zoom isolate your voice for improved audio in noisy or open environments.

To use it, go to Settings and open the Audio tab. Next, select Personalized audio isolation.
You'll be prompted to make a short voice recording in a quiet space.
Zoom stores this voiceprint for better audio until you delete it, which you can do at any time in your Audio settings.
Learn more about using personalized audio isolation.

7. Portrait lighting

The new “portrait lighting” setting dims your background and brightens you in the foreground, making you stand out more in meetings.

To activate, go to Settings and open the Video tab. Click the checkbox for Portrait lighting.
Explore more ways to enhance your video in Zoom.

8. Send with effect emoji reactions

The Send with effect option in Zoom's React feature creates animated versions of some common emojis that appear to float up and around you. (React also offers a wider choice of standard emojis.)

Hosts can restrict the use of emojis in their meetings by adjusting their personal account settings in the Zoom web portal. To do this, go to Settings, then choose Meeting and In Meeting (Basic), then scroll to Meeting reactions.
Learn more about reacting with emojis.

FAQs

When can I update?: You should complete the update to the latest version when prompted by Zoom. You can also manually update by selecting “Check for updates” within the app. For more instructions on updating, visit the Zoom support website.
What should I do if I have questions or encounter a technical issue after I upgrade?: If you have questions about Zoom, submit a Help request to the Stanford Zoom team.
What about Zoom's new AI Companion?: Currently, Smart Recording is the only AI Companion feature that has been enabled for the Stanford Zoom community. We are in the process of reviewing the other AI Companion features to ensure they meet Stanford's security and privacy standards.
Where can I learn more about using Zoom at Stanford?: There are many resources available on the Zoom Video Conferencing service page.
Where can I learn more about using the new features in Zoom Workspace?: To learn more, review the Zoom Workplace release notes.

Contact us

If you have questions about Zoom, submit a Help request to the Stanford Zoom team.

Submit a Help request for Stanford Zoom