Guide

Teams Rooms on Windows: Compute, Consoles and Setup

Updated

Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows (often called MTR-W) is a room system built around a certified Windows PC that runs the Teams Rooms app, with a touch console on the table and USB cameras, mics and speakers connected to the PC. It gets new Teams Rooms features first and supports more camera and audio combinations than Android, which is why it's the usual choice for large rooms, multi-camera rooms and boardrooms. You can't use any PC or Intel NUC you have on hand: the compute must be on Microsoft's certified list.

Teams Rooms on Windows: Compute, Consoles and Setup
Teams Rooms on Windows (MTR-W) explained: certified room PC, touch console and USB camera and audio, what it adds over Android, and how to set it up.

How a Windows Teams Room is built

Part What it does Examples we carry
Room compute Certified PC running Windows 11 and the Teams Rooms app Poly Studio 5 Room Compute, Poly Studio 7 Room Compute
Touch console Join meetings, control camera and audio Logitech Tap, Poly TC10
Camera / video bar (USB) Video and often mics/speakers Poly Studio V52, Poly Studio V72, Logitech Rally Bar in USB mode
Extra audio Expansion or ceiling mics Logitech Rally Mic Pod, Poly Studio Table Microphone
Display(s) One or two screens via HDMI Commercial displays

Logitech's RoomMate is not a Windows PC; it's a CollabOS appliance that runs Teams Rooms on Android with Rally cameras.

Certified PCs vs a NUC

Teams Rooms on Windows only runs on certified hardware. Some certified kits use small form-factor PCs (and historically Intel NUC-based designs), but a NUC you buy yourself isn't certified and the Teams Rooms app won't operate on it. OEMs like Logitech, Poly, Lenovo, Dell and others sell certified compute in their kits. See Teams Rooms kits from Lenovo, HP, Dell and Crestron and Teams Rooms certified devices.

What Windows adds over Android

Microsoft typically releases Teams Rooms features on Windows first, and some stay Windows-only. Common reasons to choose Windows:

Android is simpler (one appliance, fewer parts). Compare in Teams Rooms on Windows vs Android.

Windows 11

Current certified Teams Rooms PCs run Windows 11 (IoT Enterprise or Enterprise). Windows runs in a locked-down kiosk account that starts the Teams Rooms app automatically. Updates for Windows and the app arrive automatically. For images and recovery, see Teams Rooms app download and Windows image.

Example Windows Teams Room kits

Room Kit
Small/medium (4-10) Poly Studio 5 Room Compute + Poly Studio V52 + TC10
Large (10-16) Poly Studio 5 or 7 Room Compute + Poly Studio V72 + table mics
Boardroom Poly Studio 7 Room Compute + multiple cameras + ceiling/table mics
Logitech large room Certified PC + Logitech Rally Plus + Tap

Pick the Poly Studio 7 Room Compute when you plan multiple cameras or heavy AI features.

Setup overview

  1. Create a resource account and assign a Teams Rooms Pro or Basic license. See create a Teams Rooms resource account.
  2. Install hardware: mount the PC (VESA behind the display or under the table), connect the display(s) by HDMI, USB camera and audio, and the console.
  3. Network: wired Ethernet, with the required Teams endpoints open. See Teams Rooms network requirements.
  4. First boot: follow the setup screens on the console, sign in with the resource account and choose the devices for camera, mic and speaker.
  5. Enroll for management in the Teams admin center and, with Pro, the Pro Management Portal. Optional Intune and Autopilot: see Teams Rooms with Intune and Autopilot.

Step-by-step: how to set up Microsoft Teams Rooms.

When to choose Windows

  • Large rooms, boardrooms, divisible rooms or multi-camera layouts.
  • You need specific AI or recognition features.
  • You want to mix best-of-breed cameras and audio.
  • Your IT team already manages Windows devices with Intune.

For small rooms, an Android bar like the Logitech Rally Bar Mini + Tap IP is usually simpler. See best Microsoft Teams Rooms devices.

Planning a Windows Teams Room? Send us the room layout and we'll put together a certified kit.

Related guides

All teams, zoom and meet guides →

Outfitting several rooms, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →

In this guide

Products mentioned

Get a quote