Host a Windows 10 meeting: what it is and how to turn it off

Attentive Windows users have noticed a new icon on the taskbar – “Meet Now”, which has become available for all devices running on the latest versions of “dozens”. Many are already accustomed to the fact that new features and capabilities appear in new OS builds.

Windows 10 introduced the Host a Meeting icon located in the notification area on the taskbar. What is this new feature that has appeared in the operating system?

Host a Windows 10 meeting

Microsoft has introduced in Windows 10 a tool for free video conferencing, or for other video meetings directly from the functionality of the operating system. The technology allows you to conduct a group video conference at work in a couple of mouse clicks, or simply connect with family members, friends or colleagues using a video call or audio call.

This simple tool for communicating on the Internet is implemented using Skype. If Skype has been uninstalled from the PC, the video meeting icon will not appear on that PC. This tool is not available in the Windows 10 Enterprise operating system.

To use the functionality for video communication, you do not need to register or install new applications on your computer. The function is available to users directly from the operating system, without installing additional software or registrations.

In its work, the function “Have a meeting” uses the technology of the Skype system application or the web version of Skype, with or without entering an account with an account.

Follow these steps:

1. You need to left-click on the icon located on the taskbar.
2. In the Host a Meeting window, click the Host a Meeting button or the Join a Meeting button.
3. In the first case, the Skype application window will open, from which you can copy the generated link for other participants in this event. If you’re joining a meeting, you’ll need to enter a video meeting link or other code created by other meeting participants. If necessary, give this video meeting a different name.
4. The video conference room has advanced options that are required for a video meeting:

• Adjust audio and video settings.
• Enable video (if you have a camera).
• Chat usage.
• Screen demonstration.
• Raise hand feature.
• Using emoji icons in a conversation.
• Screen recording capability.
• End a call (“Ctrl” + “Shift” + “H”).

The user can send links to join the video call to their Skype contacts from the application interface, or copy the link to deliver it to the addressee in another convenient way: via messenger, social network or SMS.

If there is no Skype program on your computer, then there are opportunities to use the online version of Skype directly from the browser. When working via the Internet without the Skype application installed, the web service supports Microsoft Edge (Chromium) and Google Chrome browsers.

To use the meeting functionality on mobile devices, you must have the Skype app installed on your phone or tablet.

How to remove “Hold a meeting” Windows 10 – 1 way

In Windows 10, the Host a Meeting icon is located in the notification area. Not all users like the appearance of a new icon if this functionality is not supposed to be used on a PC, and the icon takes up space that is more logical to use to display other desired applications.

Therefore, many users have a logical question about how to disable “Hold a meeting” in Windows 10. In the next few tutorials, we’ll look at different ways you can solve this problem.

The easiest way:

1. Right-click on the “Hold Meeting” icon.
2. In the context menu that opens, click on the “Hide” item.
3. After that, the “Hold a meeting” button in Windows 10 will disappear from view.

Keep in mind that in this case, the function for conducting video meetings will remain in the operating system. If desired, the user can again activate this tool at the right time.

How to uninstall “Hold a Meeting” Windows 10 – Method 2

You can get rid of an unnecessary icon from the notification area using the built-in system tool – the Local Group Policy Editor.

Go through the following steps:

1. Press the “Win” + “R” keys.
2. In the Run dialog box, enter the command: “gpedit.msc” (without quotes).
3. Press the “Enter” key.
4. In the “Local Group Policy Editor” window, follow the path:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar

5. Open the folder where, among other settings, find the option “Remove the “Hold a meeting” icon”.
6. Right-click the setting and select Edit from the context menu.
7. In the Remove Meeting Icon window, set the option to Enabled.
8. Restart your PC.

How to disable the Windows 10 “Hold a Meeting” feature in the Registry Editor – Method 3

The following method works in all versions of the OS, so it will suit users of the home version of Windows 10. We will use another system tool – the registry editor.

Do the following:

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor .
2. In the “Registry Editor” window, follow the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Right click on “Explorer”.
4. From the menu that opens, first select “New” and then “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
5. Name the parameter “HideSCAMeetNow” (without quotes).
6. Right-click on the parameter, select “Edit…”.
7. In the “Change DWORD (32-bit) Value” window, in the “Value” field, set “1”, and then click on the “OK” button.
8. Restart your computer.

How to enable “Hold a Meeting” Windows 10

Depending on how you disable the Host a Meeting icon, you can bring the video conferencing functionality back to the Windows 10 operating system.

Your computer must have the Skype app from the Microsoft Store installed. If your PC does not have this program, because you may have uninstalled it, install Skype on your computer again from the Microsoft Store.

Go through the following steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the device screen.
2. Select “Personalization” from the context menu.
3. The “Settings” application will open, in which you need to go to the “Taskbar” tab.
4. Click on the “Turn system icons on or off” link.
5. In the “Turn system icons on or off” window, opposite the “Hold a meeting” item, move the switch to the “On” position.

In the registry editor, do the following:

1. Follow the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

2. Remove the “HideSCAMeetNow” option from the “Explorer” group.
3. Restart your computer.

If you have used the method to disable the icon in the Local Group Policy Editor, you must do the following:

1. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, follow the path:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar

2. Double left-click on the “Remove Host Meeting Icon” option.
3. In the Remove Meeting Icon window, set the option to Not configured, and then click the OK button.
4. Reboot your PC.

If after performing all the manipulations in the registry or in the local group policy editor, the “Hold a meeting” icon does not appear again in the notification area, enter the personalization settings and manually enable the display of this system icon on the computer.

Article Conclusions

The Windows 10 operating system has a “Meet” function for communication between users using video or audio communication. Users can arrange video conferences or simply communicate with each other using a simple system tool that runs on a computer with a couple of mouse clicks.

If the user wants to remove the “Hold a Meeting” icon from the notification area, he can hide the icon of an unnecessary application from the system tray, or disable this functionality using the Registry Editor or the Windows Local Group Policy Editor.