How-to
How to create a Microsoft Teams meeting: step by step
Last reviewed: By Cluesfinders Editorial Team
Microsoft Teams lets you set up a meeting in a few clicks — either scheduled ahead of time or started on the spot. You can invite people inside and outside your organization, and guests can join from a browser without a Teams account. Here is how to create one every way, and where a plain meeting stops and a real webinar begins.
Disclosure: Cluesfinders is an independent affiliate of E-STAGE and may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you. That relationship does not change the facts we report about other platforms.
A Teams meeting vs. a branded webinar, at a glance
| Teams meeting | A branded webinar | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Team calls, client sessions, collaboration | Public presentations to an audience |
| Registration page | No — calendar invite only | Yes, with automatic reminders |
| Attendee experience | A grid of participants | A clean stage under your brand |
| Branding | Microsoft Teams branding throughout | Your name and look throughout |
Teams meeting features reflect Microsoft Teams as of September 2026.
Schedule a meeting ahead of time
This is the most common way — it creates a calendar event and emails everyone a join link.
- Open Microsoft Teams and select the Calendar tab on the left.
- Click New meeting in the top-right corner.
- Add a title, then type names or email addresses in Required attendees.
- Pick the date, start time, and end time; add an agenda if you want.
- Click Send — Teams creates a secure join link and adds it to everyone’s calendar.
Start an instant meeting (Meet now)
Use this when you want to start right away instead of scheduling.
- Go to the Calendar tab and click Meet now in the top-right corner.
- Rename the meeting if you like, then click Start meeting.
- Set your camera and microphone, then click Join now.
- Copy the invite link or add people directly from inside the meeting.
Create a Teams meeting from Outlook
- Open Outlook and switch to the Calendar view.
- Click New Event (or New Meeting).
- Turn on the Teams Meeting toggle so a join link is added.
- Add attendees and a time, then click Send.
Invite people outside your organization
You can invite anyone by email address, even if they do not use Teams. When they open the invite, they can join from a web browser as a guest — no Teams account or install required.
This is what makes Teams workable for client sessions with people who are not on Microsoft 365.
When you need more than a meeting
A Teams meeting is built for collaboration — a grid of people who can all talk. That is perfect for internal calls and client sessions.
But for a public event with a registration page, reminders, and a stage that looks like your business, a meeting is the wrong tool. That is where a branded webinar fits, and it is worth setting up separately.
When a meeting isn’t enough, go branded
A Teams meeting is great for collaboration. For a public, registration-based event that looks like your business — not Microsoft’s — a branded webinar is the better fit. See how to host your own branded webinar.
How to host your own branded webinarCluesfinders is an independent affiliate of E-STAGE and may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can you join a Teams meeting without an account?
Yes. Guests can join from a web browser using the meeting link, without a Microsoft account or the Teams app installed.
How do I create a Teams meeting link for external guests?
Schedule the meeting and add their email addresses. The invite Teams sends contains a join link that works in a browser, so external guests can join as guests.
Can I create a Teams meeting on my phone?
Yes. Open the Teams mobile app, go to the Calendar tab, tap the + or New meeting button, fill in the details, and send.
Is a Teams meeting the same as a webinar?
No. Teams also has a separate webinar option with registration. A standard Teams meeting is for collaboration, not a registration-based, one-to-many event.