If you’ve been invited to an online meeting but don’t have Microsoft Lync 2010 communications software installed on your computer, you can join using Microsoft Lync Web App.
In this article
What is Lync Web App?
Lync Web App is the browser-based version of Lync 2010 that allows people who don’t have a Lync account and haven’t installed the Lync client to participate in Lync meetings, using either a Windows or Macintosh operating system. It’s a “light” program that takes up very little space on your hard drive and is relatively quick to start using.
Who is it for?
Lync Web App is designed mainly for external partners, such as salespeople, who are invited to Lync meetings, but it is also useful for employees who are not at their usual computer at meeting time, or have not yet upgraded to Lync 2010.
To check whether you or a colleague will be able to use Lync Web App, see Supported platforms for Lync Web App.
What can it do?
During a meeting, Lync Web App provides many Lync features; these include meeting-wide instant messaging (IM), phone-based audio, file distribution, presenting with Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics program, and desktop and program sharing.
Notes:
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Sharing and presenting features are dependent on permission levels set by the meeting organizer, so they may not be available. Only users with presenter privileges can share files and programs.
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The first time that you initiate a sharing session, you will be prompted to download the required sharing plug-in.
Lync Web App cannot be used to schedule meetings or to exchange instant messages with individual meeting attendees.
Where do I start?
In addition to needing one of the supported operating system and Internet browser combinations, an Internet connection, a phone (unless you’re also running Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2), and an invitation to a Lync meeting, you will also need the Microsoft Silverlight 4.0 browser plug-in, or a later version of Silverlight, installed on your computer before your first online meeting.
For a list of supported operating system and browser combinations, see Supported platforms for Lync Web App.
To download Silverlight, visit the following Web site: Download Microsoft Silverlight.
With these requirements in place, you’ll be ready to get started. To learn how, see Quick Start: Participate in online meetings with Lync Web App.
