How to make video calls in Windows 10 without installing an app

In Windows 10, the latest version of the Microsoft operating system, Skype is built into the toolbar by default. This means that you do not need to install a video conferencing application to make group video calls from your computer.

Skype is built into the system tray of the latest version of Windows 10

All you have to do is enable the “Meet Now” feature in Windows 10 to be able to hold a video conference. You don’t even have to be signed in to Skype. The only thing that is necessary is to update the latest version of the operating system, called the “Windows 10 October 2020 Update”. Once that’s done, all you have to do is follow the steps below to enable and use group video calling from Windows 10 without installing anything else.

How to create or join a group video call in Windows 10

First of all, you should check whether the “Meet Now” function is activated. – Check at the bottom right of the screen in the system tray to see if a video camera icon is displayed. If it doesn’t appear, go to the Windows Settings menu, located on the Start button and represented by a gear icon.

From there, press “Personalization” / “Taskbar” / “Select the icons you want to appear in the taskbar”. Activate the “Meet now” function switch under the options displayed. If you want to disable it, follow the same path and turn the switch off. Now follow the next steps:

– Clicking on the camera symbol in the system tray opens a window called “Meet Now”. From there, you can create a video call by clicking the Meet Now button or join an existing call by clicking the Join a Meeting button.

-When you click “Join a meeting”, the system will open Skype regardless of whether you have an account in this video calling application or not. A line is also activated to add the access code to the room, which must be provided by the organizer. At the end, just click the “Join” button to join the virtual meeting.

-If you choose the Meet Now option, you will become the creator of the room and the system will guide you through the configuration screen. There you can enter the name of the event, then generate the link or code and share it with other friends or guests.

– Before starting the event, you have options and configuration tools to enable or disable the microphone, place a virtual background and much more. When everything is configured, press the «Start meeting» button.

– When the event starts, you will enter a Skype room where you will have to wait for the rest of the guests. These can be entered using the link or code to be entered from a device that supports Skype or from a computer running Windows 10.