What is Microsoft Stream?

Overview 

Microsoft Stream is Microsoft's video experience within Microsoft 365. It allows members of the Acadia community to upload, view, manage, and share video content securely.

Videos can include:

  • Teams meeting recordings
  • Class recordings
  • Presentations
  • Training sessions
  • Demonstrations
  • Other video content used for teaching, communication, or collaboration

Microsoft Stream works with other Microsoft 365 services, including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, OneNote, and Forms.

Unlike the former Stream (Classic) service, modern Microsoft Stream does not function as a separate storage location for all videos. Videos are generally stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams, while Stream provides the video playback and management experience.


Where are my videos stored?

The location of a video depends on how it was created or uploaded.

Teams meeting recordings

Teams meeting recordings are generally stored in one of the following locations:

  • OneDrive – for many meetings scheduled through Outlook or Teams
  • SharePoint – for meetings held in a Teams channel

The meeting recording can usually be accessed through the meeting chat or the associated Teams channel.

Videos uploaded to OneDrive

Videos uploaded to OneDrive are stored in the user's OneDrive. The video can be shared with other people using the sharing and permissions options available in OneDrive.

Videos uploaded to SharePoint

Videos uploaded to a SharePoint site are stored in the site's document library. Access to the video is controlled by the permissions associated with the file and the SharePoint site.


How do I access Microsoft Stream?

Microsoft Stream is available through Microsoft 365.

You can access Stream by:

  1. Signing in to the Microsoft 365 portal.
  2. Opening the Microsoft Stream app, where available; or
  3. Opening a video stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams.

When you open a supported video file in Microsoft 365, it will generally open using the Stream video experience.


How do I share a video?

The way you share a video depends on where the video is stored.

  1. Locate the video in OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams.
  2. Select Share or Copy link.
  3. Choose who should have access to the video.
  4. Send the link or copy it into an email, Teams message, or other communication.

Before sharing a video, consider whether the intended audience should be:

  • Specific individuals
  • A group of people
  • Members of a Team or SharePoint site
  • Anyone within the organization with the link

Use the most restrictive sharing option that meets your needs, particularly when the video contains personal, confidential, or sensitive information.


Why can't someone view my video?

If someone cannot view a video, check the permissions on the video.

The person may:

  • Not have been granted access to the video.
  • Be signed in with a different Microsoft account.
  • Be attempting to access a video that has been moved or deleted.
  • Be accessing a video stored in a SharePoint site or OneDrive location to which they do not have access.

If you are the owner of the video, review the sharing permissions and share the video with the intended viewer or group.


What happened to Stream (Classic)?

Microsoft Stream (Classic) was replaced by the modern Stream experience, which uses Microsoft 365 storage locations such as OneDrive and SharePoint.

Modern Microsoft Stream is integrated into Microsoft 365 rather than functioning as a separate storage platform for all video content.

If you are looking for an older video, check:

  • OneDrive
  • SharePoint sites
  • Teams channels
  • Teams meeting chats

If an older video cannot be located, contact the Technology Service Desk for assistance.


Captions and transcripts

Microsoft Stream supports features such as automatically generated captions and transcripts for supported videos.

Captions and transcripts can improve accessibility and make videos easier to search and review.

Depending on the video and the user's permissions, the video owner or an authorized editor may be able to:

  • Generate captions or a transcript.
  • Review and edit the generated text.
  • Download or manage caption files.
  • Make captions available to viewers.

Automatically generated captions should be reviewed for accuracy, particularly when the video contains technical terms, names, or specialized vocabulary.


Video permissions

Access to a video is determined by the permissions associated with the location where the video is stored.

For example:

  • A video stored in OneDrive is generally controlled by the owner of the file.
  • A video stored in a SharePoint document library is controlled by the permissions associated with the site and file.
  • A Teams meeting recording may be stored in OneDrive or SharePoint depending on the type of meeting.

If a user can view a video, they may not necessarily have permission to edit, download, or change its sharing settings.


Troubleshooting

I cannot find my Teams meeting recording

Check the meeting chat and any associated Teams channel. The recording may be stored in the organizer's OneDrive or in the SharePoint site associated with the Team.

Someone cannot view a video I shared

Check the video's sharing permissions and confirm that the person is signed in with the correct account.

I cannot change the sharing permissions

Verify that you are the owner of the video or have sufficient permissions to manage access to the file.

A video appears to be missing

Check the OneDrive, SharePoint site, Teams channel, or meeting chat where the video was originally created or uploaded.

If the video was recently deleted, check the appropriate Recycle Bin if you have permission to do so.


Important

When troubleshooting a missing video, the most important question to ask is:

Where was the video created or uploaded?

This will usually identify where the video is stored and determine who controls access to it.

Further Reading

For more information, see the related HUB articles for:

  • Recording a meeting in Microsoft Teams
  • Finding Teams meeting recordings
  • Sharing files using OneDrive
  • Sharing files using SharePoint
  • Managing permissions in SharePoint

Further Reading 

Teams Meeting Recordings (TMR) provides information on Teams Recordings storage and archiving.