Zoom and Microsoft 365 Updates
Information Technology-Computing
New Zoom Web Experience
As previously announced in the March 2026 IT Newsletter, the Zoom web application is getting an updated look and feel that will include a new header, simplified navigation, and new web portal designed to be more consistent with the Zoom desktop application.
The new Zoom Web Experience is currently available to try with an optional user toggle switch and will start to go into effect for all users on August 26th, 2026.
Zoom Authentication Settings
JMU IT has recently implemented CIS benchmark standards in the Zoom platform to improve our security configuration while minimizing the impact on services.
Please see the summary of changes below and follow the Zoom Meeting Authentication article in the JMU Knowledge Base for assistance with internal or external meeting participant access.
As previously announced in the March 2026 IT Newsletter, the Zoom web application is getting an updated look and feel that will include a new header, simplified navigation, and new web portal designed to be more consistent with the Zoom desktop application.
The new Zoom Web Experience is currently available to try with an optional user toggle switch and will start to go into effect for all users on August 26th, 2026.
Zoom Authentication Settings
JMU IT has recently implemented CIS benchmark standards in the Zoom platform to improve our security configuration while minimizing the impact on services.
Please see the summary of changes below and follow the Zoom Meeting Authentication article in the JMU Knowledge Base for assistance with internal or external meeting participant access.
- Session Timeouts – user sessions are now timed out after two hours of inactivity. This does not include meetings and only pertains to inactivity when logged in outside of meeting times.
- Internal Access – all JMU users must utilize JMU SSO to access the system.
- External Access – external users can still access JMU Zoom meetings without need for a Zoom enterprise or personal account. Inviting an external user to your meeting will provide them with the passcode embedded link used for access.
- Waiting Rooms – external users will now enter a waiting room until the meeting host arrives to allow them into the meeting. This does not apply to internal JMU users, as all JMU employees and students will be able to enter meetings before the host does if that is what they allow in their meeting settings.
- Co-Hosts – external users are no longer able to be assigned as a co-host ahead of time, but they can still be promoted to co-host once the meeting has started.
Zoom AI
Zoom AI (formerly known as Zoom AI Companion) is now available at JMU!
Setup Zoom AI during meeting scheduling to automatically assist and summarize meetings or utilize it in meetings already in progress by accessing Zoom AI in the meeting toolbar.
