Zoom question -- can I schedule a meeting if I won't be available to start it?

lucky penny

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Is there a way to schedule a meeting on my paid Zoom account so that participants can join it by clicking a link without my having to start the meeting on my computer?

Typically when I set up a meeting, I send participants a link to join it, but I have to start the meeting on my computer; then participants go to a waiting room & I admit them. I think zoom requires either a waiting room or passcode & I chose waiting room since that seemed easiest for participants who aren't tech-savvy.

If I can figure out how to disable the waiting room, would participants be able to click on a link & join a meeting without my having to physically start it -- & would that require them to use the passcode?
 
There must be a way. I participate in a zoom fitness class and the host occasionally has to skip the class but we can still log on.
 
The achilles heel of Zoom, IMO is getting in a meeting isn't intuitive. Once in, Zoom is easy to use.

As for your question, seems the answer is "maybe". I've only used a free account (not sure if scheduling is any different than on a paid). I went ahead and tried setting up a dummy meeting with some options that says anyone can join anytime. I didn't see where to say no passcode required but overrode the passcode to a simple passcode.

The meeting was scheduled for 3 pm but I went if I could get in early. I did. Did notice that there was an option for me to start the meeting, however. Plus, I was entering as the host so not sure if just a participant could get in as easily.

Another thought. Since I'm assuming the OP won't be by computer, how about using Zoom app on phone in case approval to get in is required?

Here is a screen grab of the test zoom meeting. Note the option area of anyone can join anytime.
 

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Yes, you can do it. We have a setup that works even if the host isn't attending. See attachment for our settings from the Windows zoom app.

Our meeting is set for Recurring and it uses the Personal Meeting ID so the link is always the same. The main thing is to uncheck Waiting Room in the Security section, and then expand the Advanced Options section and make sure to check the box to allow people to join anytime.
 

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There must be a way. I participate in a zoom fitness class and the host occasionally has to skip the class but we can still log on.

OP here. Do you log on by clicking on the link & entering the passcode?
 
I went ahead and tried setting up a dummy meeting with some options that says anyone can join anytime. I didn't see where to say no passcode required but overrode the passcode to a simple passcode.

Thanks. I'll experiment with a dummy meeting. What does "overrode the passcode the passcode to a simple passcode" mean?

The meeting was scheduled for 3 pm but I went if I could get in early. I did. Did notice that there was an option for me to start the meeting, however.
Did you log on by clicking in the link & entering the passcode?
 
Yes, you can do it. We have a setup that works even if the host isn't attending. See attachment for our settings from the Windows zoom app.

Our meeting is set for Recurring and it uses the Personal Meeting ID so the link is always the same. The main thing is to uncheck Waiting Room in the Security section, and then expand the Advanced Options section and make sure to check the box to allow people to join anytime.

OK, I will try this -- uncheck waiting room + allow to join anytime.
 
Thanks. I'll experiment with a dummy meeting. What does "overrode the passcode the passcode to a simple passcode" mean?

Zoom generated a random passcode but I just typed in "abc" instead to use as the passcode

Did you log on by clicking in the link & entering the passcode?

Passcode may not even be needed as when I got in for the test, I just clicked on link and got in. Granted, I am the host though. Don't know if that makes a difference.
 
Passcode may not even be needed as when I got in for the test, I just clicked on link and got in. Granted, I am the host though. Don't know if that makes a difference.

Both the meeting ID and passcode should be embedded in the link that's in the meeting invitation.

The link looks something like this: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/xxxxxxxxxx?pwd=zzzzzzzzzzzzz

where xxxxxxx is the meeting ID and zzzzz is the encrypted passcode. If you want people to have to type in the passcode, edit the link and delete the ? and everything that follows.
 
Both the meeting ID and passcode should be embedded in the link that's in the meeting invitation.

The link looks something like this: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/xxxxxxxxxx?pwd=zzzzzzzzzzzzz

where xxxxxxx is the meeting ID and zzzzz is the encrypted passcode. If you want people to have to type in the passcode, edit the link and delete the ? and everything that follows.

I don't recall in the past ever having to enter a passcode to get in when using Zoom. Maybe the passcode was embeded with the invite.

As I mentioned early, getting into Zoom is not intuitive :(.
 
Yes, Zoom gives you a link that hashes the passcode, so the long URL already has it, they won't need to enter a passcode. As long as you don't normally have a waiting room enabled, the meeting can start without you, although if you normally need to give screen sharing control to participants, they will need to wait for you to share their screens. These can all be set from your profile on the Zoom website. The screen sharing default settings are further down on the screen below.

I have done this a lot for work, so if it's important you could ask a friend or two to try it beforehand. We often do practice runs like that if we've changed something to make sure it works before we do a conference call with our client(s).
 

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