Zoom recently updated its desktop client and web interface—often designated as the Zoom Workplace interface—changing how navigation tabs, meeting controls, and scheduling options are arranged. For NC State Extension personnel who have relied on the previous layout for years to host county programs, board meetings, and producer trainings, adapting to these interface updates requires adjusting established workflows.

This guide outlines the specific changes to the Zoom layout, where key features have moved, and how to manage your meetings under the revised interface.

What Has Changed in the Interface

Zoom’s redesign consolidates its standalone features—meetings, webinars, team chat, and whiteboards—into a unified application structure:

• Reorganized Navigation Bar: The primary navigation menu now groups Home, Team Chat, Meetings, Webinars, and Whiteboards along a single navigation bar.
• Customizable Menu Tabs: Navigation tabs can be reordered or hidden through the application settings to keep frequently used sections visible.
• Updated In-Meeting Controls: Meeting control buttons (audio, video, screen sharing, participants, and reactions) use modified visual icons and pull-up menus rather than static toolbars.
• Combined Meetings Dashboard: Scheduling, upcoming meeting details, and recorded session management are now grouped into a single side-by-side view within the Meetings menu.

Managing Core Extension Tasks in the New Layout

Rescheduling an Existing Meeting

If a county meeting or educational session date changes, you do not need to create a new session or issue a new connection link:

1. Access the Zoom web portal or desktop application.
2. Select the Meetings tab from the left menu bar.
3. Locate and select the target meeting, then click the Edit button in the right panel.
4. Save the revised time or date. The original meeting URL remains valid for all previously invited participants.

Assigning Alternative Hosts

To designate a co-host or specialist before a meeting starts:

1. Open the meeting configuration window by clicking Edit.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Show under the Options section.
3. Enter the individual’s official university email address in the Alternative Hosts field.
   (Note: The assigned individual must hold an active Zoom account affiliated with NC State University).

Accessing Local Recordings

EIT continues to recommend using Local Recording for reliability and data control:

1. Navigate to the Meetings tab and select the Recorded sub-tab.
2. Locate the session to access the local file directory on your computer (stored by default under Documents > Zoom).
3. The resulting .mp4 video files can be edited or transferred to Google Drive / Google Generic Accounts for distribution.

Account Structure & Support

• Licensing: Permanent NC State Extension employees retain Enhanced Licenses, providing access to Zoom Large Meeting 500 and Zoom Webinar 500 with no meeting duration limits for university work. Standard accounts assigned to temporary staff, students, or No-Pay roles remain capped at 300 meeting participants without built-in webinar access.
• Software Updates: To prevent compatibility issues during live meetings, check your application version regularly by clicking your profile icon in the top-right corner of the desktop app and selecting Check for Updates.