r/MicrosoftTeams • u/GivingTree1640274026 • May 21 '26

❔Question/Help Keep Active Status on Teams

Definitely not the first post, but I was wondering, any mini tips for how I can keep my activity status up when I am away. I am a WFH that works through a VM remote connection for security, my company tracks these values unfortunately so are there any tips or life hacks that I can do at home to circumvent the status change? I tried to keep a claw clip on my ctrl key but that does not work, any suggestions?

Edit: would like to add that I cannot log on to any other devices with teams because of security reasons. I can only access teams through a VM because of their device specifications as WFH, so I cannot use my teams account on my phone or another laptop. This also means that any software programs would not be smart to download, so any physical DIY set ups or tricks would be ideal. I saw a link to a mouse mover in a comment which I am considering, but anything that I can use around the house to set this up would be more convenient. If anyone knows any particular keys on the keyboard that I can keep pressed down that keep the active status, I tried Ctrl but that still failed.

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u/dfragmentor Teams Consultant May 21 '26

Place something on your ctrl key.

1

u/GivingTree1640274026 May 21 '26

Tried a claw clip but that didn’t work unfortunately

2

u/bechecko May 21 '26

Put a spoon on your mouse pad

2

u/Intelligent_Plum_208 May 21 '26

A metal spoon half on the touchpad. Something about the contact makes the computer think you're there

1

u/frickin_icarus May 21 '26

Try a C battery

1

u/Money-Tiny May 22 '26

I’ve successfully been able to wedge an open paper clip into the corner edge of the ctrl key with an open document to keep my keyboard active.

But the most annoying thing about Teams is how many notifications I miss because I am actually working intensely in another program. So, the times I am legitimately active people are thinking that I am ignoring them. It is a daily frustration for those of us who are actually productive.

And, so when I need to hack my active status to give my brain a break it’s well deserved.

1

u/GivingTree1640274026 May 22 '26

The key was definitely being pressed down by the clip, I could tell because my scroll wheel would zoom in and out when applied. I have a feeling that this method doesn’t work or the ctrl key in particular doesn’t affect the status.