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When an incoming call is received, you can either answer or decline the call by clicking the appropriate option in the incoming call alert.

What do you want to do?

Answer a call

To answer an incoming call, do one of the following:

  • Click anywhere inside of the incoming call alert that appears in the lower-right corner of your screen.

  • If Microsoft Lync 2010 communications software is set up to use your desk phone, pick up the receiver.

    Note:  If you don’t answer the call before the notification closes, the call goes to voice mail, if voice mail is available. To learn how to specify how long the phone will ring before it goes to voice mail, see Set Call Forwarding options.

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Answer a call during an IM conversation

You may be having an instant messaging (IM) conversation with someone, and they decide to add audio by calling you.

  • In the Conversation window, click Accept call.

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Redirect a call to an alternate number or to voice mail

You can redirect incoming calls on an individual basis (as opposed to setting up call forwarding rules).

  • In the incoming call alert, click Redirect, and then select an alternate number or Voice Mail, if it’s configured for you.

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Answer a call with an instant message

There are times when it isn’t convenient to accept a voice call, even though you want to talk to the caller. For example, you may be in an unscheduled meeting with someone in your office. If you have voice mail, letting the phone ring will send the call to voice mail. But you can also answer the call with an instant message, perhaps to indicate that you’ll call back or be available later in the day.

  1. In the incoming call alert, click Redirect, and then click Reply with Instant Message.

  2. Type your message, and then press Enter.

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Decline a call

If you don’t want to answer an incoming call, you can choose to decline it.

  • In the incoming call alert, click Decline.

If voice mail is enabled, when you click Decline, the call is immediately redirected to voice mail. If you don’t answer but don’t click Decline, the call is redirected to voice mail when it stops ringing, or, if you don’t have voice mail, it is disconnected.

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Redirect calls as a delegate

If you are a delegate for another person, such as your manager, or for other people, you can make and receive calls on their behalf. The incoming call alert specifies that the call is for the other person.

  • When you receive an incoming call alert on behalf of your manager, you can redirect the call to his or her voice mail by clicking Redirect and then clicking <Manager’s Name> Voice Mail.

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Return a call

If you missed a call or want to call someone back, you can return a call by checking your conversation history to call someone back.

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Microsoft Lync, and then click Microsoft Lync 2010.

  2. In the Lync main window, click the Conversations icon.

Conversations Icon

  1. In the list of missed and previous conversations, point to a conversation, and then click the Call button.

Call a Contact

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