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Zoom: How to Log In and Start a Meeting or Webinar

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10.0 - Updated on 04-12-2024 by Megan Furchner (mvf5061)

9.0 - Updated on 04-24-2023 by Megan Furchner (mvf5061)

8.0 - Updated on 08-05-2021 by Megan Furchner (mvf5061)

7.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Daniel Travis (drt82)

6.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Daniel Travis (drt82)

5.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Daniel Travis (drt82)

4.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Jessica Surdin (jms2170)

3.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Jessica Surdin (jms2170)

2.0 - Updated on 07-26-2021 by Lindsey Kiraly (lek136)

1.0 - Authored on 04-10-2020 by Megan Furchner (mvf5061)

Article Intended For

All Penn State Zoom users.

Introduction

You must download the Zoom Desktop Client (launcher) and log in with your Penn State Access ID (abc123) before starting or joining a Zoom Meeting or Webinar. There are two ways to start a live meeting or webinar, including through the Zoom desktop client or through a web browser. Also, faculty can start live meetings and students can join live meetings using the Zoom Learning Tool (menu option) in Canvas.

This article shows how to log in to zoom through Single Sign On (SSO), and three ways to start or join a Zoom Meeting or Webinar. Accessing Zoom through the SSO lets you access your Penn State-licensed Zoom account and its added security features.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Log In to Your Zoom Desktop Client

If you don’t have it downloaded already, download the Zoom desktop client (launcher).

  1. Navigate to the Zoom Download Center (https://zoom.us/download).
  2. Click the Download for IT Admin menu (Figure 1).

    Click Download for IT Admin.
    Figure 1: Click the Download for IT Admin menu.

  3. Under Zoom Client for Meetings, click the blue Download button.

    Click the download button under Zoom Cloud for Meetings
    Figure 2: Click the download button under Zoom Client for Meetings.

    NOTE: The label on the download button will be for the option compatible with your computer's operating system, such as MSI for Windows or PKG for Mac.

  4. Open the Zoom desktop client.
  5. Select SSO from the sign in options(Figure 3).

    Click Sign in with SSO
    Figure 3: The SSO button in the Zoom Sign In window.

  6. Enter "psu" in the Company Domain field and click Continue.
  7. Enter your Penn State credentials on the sign in screen (Figure 4).

    The Penn State sign in screen.
    Figure 4: The Penn State Sign in screen.

    You are now signed in to your Penn State Zoom account.

    NOTE: If you cannot enter a meeting or webinar and receive the message “This meeting is for authorized attendees only”, click Sign in to Join and enter your Penn State Access ID (abc123) (Figure 5).

    The Sign in to Join button for a restricted meeting.
    Figure 5: The Sign in to Join button for a restricted Zoom meeting.

 

Start or Join a Meeting or Webinar with the Desktop Client

  1. Click the Join button, from the open Zoom application (Figure 6).

    The Join button on the Zoom interface.

    Figure 6: The Join button in the Zoom desktop client.

  2. Enter the meeting or webinar URL or ID into the meeting ID field and click Join to launch the meeting or webinar (Figure 7).

    The Meeting ID and Join button for a Join Meeting prompt.
    Figure 7: The Join Meeting prompt with a Meeting ID entered and the Join button.

 

Start or Join a Meeting or Webinar via URL

Joining a Zoom meeting or webinar through a browser lets you use some of Zoom's features without having to download plug-ins or additional software. However, the web version does have limitations. Whenever possible, it is recommended to use the Zoom desktop client and sign in with SSO for optimal performance and features.

NOTE: This process only works if you have signed in with SSO.

Zoom supported browsers include:

  • Windows: IE 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
  • Mac: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+,
  • Linux: Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
  1. Paste a Zoom meeting or webinar link into the address bar of your web browser and press Enter (Figure 8).

    A Zoom link pasted into a browser.
    Figure 8: A Zoom meeting or webinar link in a web browser address bar.

  2. Click Open Zoom to launch the meeting or webinar in your Zoom desktop client (Figure 9).

    Click the Open Zoom button
    Figure 9: The Open Zoom button prompt for a browser.

    Your Zoom meeting or webinar will launch in the Zoom desktop client.

 

Start or Join a Meeting with the Zoom Learning Tool in Canvas

NOTE: You must first have enabled the Zoom learning tool in Canvas before you can follow these instructions. You will not see the Zoom option. To enable Zoom in Canvas, see the article Canvas: How to Incorporate Learning Tool Integrations (LTIs) in Your Course.

  1. Log in to your Canvas course at canvas.psu.edu
  2. Click Zoom from the Course Navigation menu on the left (Figure 10).

    The Zoom learning tool in Canvas.

    Figure 10: The Zoom option enabled in Canvas.

  3. Locate the meeting and click Join (Figure 11).

    The Join button in Canvas for a Zoom meeting.

    Figure 11: The Join button to enter a meeting.

  4. Click Open Zoom to launch the meeting (Figure 12).

    The Open Zoom button.

    Figure 12: The Open Zoom button in the prompt for Canvas.

    Your Zoom meeting or webinar will launch in the Zoom desktop client.

 

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