Zoom Recording Basics
This article covers the basics of Zoom Recordings to a local computer and to the cloud. It will also cover how to transfer these recording files to an external storage device.
You will need to have the Zoom desktop client installed on your computer: Downloading the Zoom Desktop Client
Computer recording is not currently supported on iOS, iPad or Android devices. For recording on mobile devices, use the cloud recording option.
Zoom requires processing time for local recording AFTER the meeting is ended, and the computer must stay on during this time. Depending on the length of the local recording, additional processing time will be needed before the recording files are ready for use.
We recommend the cloud recording option if you need to turn off/log out of the computer immediately after the meeting ends.
1. Open your Zoom desktop client. Click on your profile button and then select Settings.
- Click on your profile button in the Zoom desktop client.
- Then select Settings.
2. Select Recording.
3. Review and adjust where you want to save your Zoom recordings on the computer.
- Confirm the location where your Zoom recordings will be saved on the computer. The default location will be in C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Zoom on the computer.
- Click Change if you want to select a different location for the Zoom recordings on the computer.
- Optional: Toggle the option to select local storage location after every meeting to ON, if you would like to manually select a location to save the recordings after every Zoom meeting.
1. In a Zoom meeting, click the Record button on the meeting controls panel and select the option for computer recording
- Click Record on the meeting controls panel on the bottom of your screen.
- Select Record to this computer .
2. The Zoom recording will start. A recording notification will appear and remain on the upper right corner of your screen during the duration of the recording.
If audio is muted when the recording starts, Zoom will notify you that the recording will not include audio, and you can select options to unmute yourself or continue without audio for the recording.
3. Click the Pause recording button to pause or resume recording as needed.
4. Click Stop recording to stop your recording.
The recording files are not yet ready at this time. Zoom needs to further process the recording files AFTER you end the meeting.
5. Click End to end the meeting and allow Zoom to start processing the recording files.
6. You will see a pop-up notification from Zoom about the conversion of the recording.
7. Once Zoom finishes processing the recording, the pop-up message will disappear and the folder with the local recording will automatically open.
1. The folder containing the local recording automatically opens after the recording conversion process completes OR
2. Check in your Zoom Recording setting for the local recording storage information.
Refer to instructions in Checking your local recording settings section for details.
1. Select and copy the recording files.
- Select all the recording files.
- Right-click and select the Copy option.
2. Locate your USB/external drive devices and paste the copied files into the folder
- Locate your USB device that is connected to the computer
- Click any blank space in the folder
- Select Paste to move the copied files into your USB
3. Click Eject to safely remove your USB device from the computer.
A window pop-up will appear informing you that the USB can now be safely removed.
You will need to have the Zoom desktop client installed on your computer: Downloading the Zoom Desktop Client
If using mobile devices, you will need the Zoom mobile app: Downloading the Zoom Mobile App
1. Open your Zoom desktop client. Click on your profile button and then select Settings.
- Click on your profile button in the Zoom desktop client.
- Then select Settings.
2. Select Recording.
3. Review and adjust your cloud recording settings as needed.
Only meeting hosts and co-hosts can start a cloud recording of the meeting.
1. In a Zoom meeting, click the Record button on the meeting controls panel and select the option for cloud recording
2. The Zoom recording will start. A recording notification will appear and remain on the upper right corner of your screen during the duration of the recording.
If audio is muted when the recording starts, Zoom will notify you that the recording will not include audio, and you can select options to unmute yourself or continue without audio for the recording.
3. Click the Pause recording button to pause or resume recording as needed.
4. Click Stop recording to stop your recording.
5. A pop-up from Zoom will appear to confirm that you want to stop the cloud recording. Select Yes to end the cloud recording.
The recording files are not yet ready at this time. Zoom needs to further process the recording AFTER the meeting ends and will notify you when the recording files are ready.
1. Option 1: Access cloud recordings via desktop notification.
If you are using the Zoom desktop client, you will receive a pop-up notification once Zoom finishes processing the cloud recording files. Click View to access the recording files on the Zoom web portal (CSUF Portal login may be required).
2. Option 2: Access cloud recordings via email.
Zoom will send an email to the meeting host once the cloud recording files are processed. Click the Watch recording Share button to access the cloud recordings on the Zoom web portal (CSUF Portal login may be required).
3. Option 3: View the recordings directly in the Recordings & Transcripts section in the Zoom web portal when they are ready.
3.1. Log into the Zoom web portal
3.2. Click Recording & Transcripts on the left-side menu, and check that you are under the Cloud Recordings tab
- Click Recordings and Transcripts.
- Check that you are in the Cloud recordings tab.
1. Download the cloud recording files from the Zoom web portal.
- Click the horizontal three-dot button underneath the recording you want to download.
- Select Download (# files) to start the download
2. A notification will appear informing you that each file will be downloaded separately. Select Download to continue.
3. The recording files will be downloaded to your browser's default download folder. Locate and copy these files.
- Select all the recording files.
- Right-click and select the Copy option.
4. Locate your USB/external drive devices and paste the copied files into the folder
- Locate your USB device that is connected to the computer
- Click any blank space in the folder
- Select Paste to move the copied files into your USB
5. Click Eject to safely remove your USB device from the computer.
A window pop-up will appear informing you that the USB can now be safely removed.
Need More Help?
Faculty/Staff - contact the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.
Students - contact the Student IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-8888.
View Zoom Recording Support Resources
View the Zoom Help Resources article for additional resources.