How to set up Microsoft Teams

Use this guide to set up a Microsoft Teams organization, first channel, and invite people to work remotely with colleagues.

Microsoft Teams set up steps
Microsoft Teams set up steps

Microsoft Teams is a real-time collaboration and messaging (chat, voice, and video) service primarily designed for businesses.

The platform works on Windows 10, macOS, or Linux, and mobile devices, such as iOS and Android. And while it’s a premium service, it also offers a free tier with all the basic feature to set up an organization and invite colleagues to start chatting, sharing, and getting work done remotely.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to set up a Microsoft Teams account, create your first channel, and invite people.

How to set up Microsoft Teams

Getting started with Microsoft Teams is a straightforward process, you only need to set up an account, create a channel, and invite people you want to participate.

Install Teams on Windows 10

To install Microsoft Teams, use these steps:

  1. Open the Microsoft Teams page.

  2. Scroll down and click the Downloads Teams button.

    Microsoft Teams download
    Microsoft Teams download
  3. Save the installer on your device.

  4. Double-click the file to begin the installation.

  5. Sign in with the account you want to associate. For example, a Microsoft account.

    Microsoft Teams setup
    Microsoft Teams setup
  6. Click the Sign up for Teams button.

    Sign up for Microsoft Teams
    Sign up for Microsoft Teams

Once you complete the steps, Microsoft Teams will install on your device, and you can continue setting up the account.

Set up Teams account

To set up a new Microsoft Teams account, use these steps:

  1. Click the Sign up for free button.

    Microsoft Teams sign up online
    Microsoft Teams sign up online
  2. Confirm the account that you want to associate with Teams. For example, the account you used to install the app.

  3. Click the Next button.

    Microsoft Teams confirm account email
    Microsoft Teams confirm account email
  4. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

  5. Click the Sign in button.

  6. Complete the Microsoft Teams form with personal and company information.

  7. Click the Set up Teams button.

    Microsoft Teams organization setup
    Microsoft Teams organization setup

After you complete the steps, the Microsoft Teams account will set up, and then you’ll need to create your first team (channel) to interact with other people remotely.

Create Teams channel

To create a Microsoft Team channel, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Teams app.

  2. Sign in with your account (if applicable).

  3. Click the Create team button.

    Microsoft Teams create channel
    Microsoft Teams create channel
  4. Click the Build a team from scratch option.

    Create team from scratch option
    Create team from scratch option
  5. Click the Private option.

    Microsoft Teams private channel option
    Microsoft Teams private channel option
  6. Specify a name for the team. For example, Workspace.

  7. Click the Create button.

    Microsoft Teams specify channel name
    Microsoft Teams specify channel name
  8. Click the Skip button.

Once you complete the steps, the Microsoft Teams channel will be created, and the last thing left to do is to invite people to join the channel.

Invite people to Teams

To invite people to join your Microsoft Teams channel, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Teams app.

  2. Sign in with your account (if applicable).

  3. Click the menu (three-dotted) button from the team and select the Add member option.

    Microsoft Teams add users option
    Microsoft Teams add users option
  4. Confirm the email address of the person you want to add to Microsoft Teams.

  5. Click the Add button.

    Microsoft Teams add member to channel option
    Microsoft Teams add member to channel option
  6. Repeat steps No. 4 and 5 to add more people.

  7. Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, the new members will receive an email with the link to install and join the team you created.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.