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Before we find your recordings, it’s important to understand that Zoom offers two types of recordings. Knowing which type your meeting was saved as will determine where and how you’ll find it, as well as the features available with each recording.
What are they?
Local recordings are video meeting files saved directly to your computer's hard drive. This option is available for both free and paid Zoom accounts and is particularly useful if you prefer to keep control over your recordings or don’t have access to a paid Zoom plan.
Key details:
• You need the Zoom desktop app to save local recordings, so make sure it’s installed on your device before starting a meeting you want to record.
• Local recordings are stored on your device only, meaning they aren’t accessible from other computers unless you manually upload them elsewhere, such as to cloud storage or a file-sharing platform.
• The location of the local recording files can vary depending on your computer’s operating system, but Zoom typically saves them in a dedicated folder within your documents or videos directory.
What are they?
Cloud recordings are stored in Zoom’s cloud servers, making them accessible from any device with an internet connection. This feature is only available for licensed users with paid Zoom accounts and is ideal for organizations or professionals who need flexibility and easy access to their recordings.
Key details:
• Cloud recordings are perfect for remote teams or anyone who needs to share recordings across multiple locations or devices. They are especially helpful if you’re collaborating with clients or team members in different time zones.
• They often include additional features, such as automatic transcriptions, separate audio files for each participant, and the ability to share recordings via a simple link. These extras can save time and make it easier to review or distribute the content of your meetings.
• Zoom gives you storage limits based on your subscription plan, so be sure to check how much cloud space is available to avoid running out or needing to purchase additional storage.
Understanding the differences between local and cloud recordings will help you locate your meeting files more easily and make the most of Zoom’s recording options. Whether you prefer to store meetings locally on your computer or take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of the cloud, Zoom provides solutions tailored to your needs.
If you're saving locally but can’t seem to find your files, don’t worry! Try these steps to locate them.
Zoom saves local recordings to a specific default location on your computer, depending on your operating system. Here’s where to look.
Your recordings are typically saved in this location: C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Zoom
🧠 Look for folders named after the meeting ID, title, and date inside the Zoom folder.
Your recordings can be found at: /Users/[Username]/Documents/Zoom
Similar to Windows, the folder will contain subfolders with names that relate to the specific meetings.
👍🏻 If you've recorded multiple meetings, it’s a good idea to sort the folder by date to quickly locate the most recent files.
If the files aren't in the default folder, it’s possible that the save location was changed. To confirm or customize where Zoom saves your recordings, follow these steps:
1. Open the Zoom desktop app on your computer.
2. Click on your profile photo (usually in the top-right corner) and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click the Recording tab on the left-hand side.
4. Under “Local Recording,” you’ll see the path where your recordings are currently being saved.
5. If you want to use a different location, click Change and select your preferred folder.
6. Make sure to note the updated path for future recordings!
👌🏻 This step is also helpful if you’re working with a shared computer or have multiple users, as the save path might differ based on the user account.
If you’ve checked the default folder and your recording settings but still can’t locate your files, try using your computer's search function to track them down.
Open File Explorer and search for keywords like “Zoom”, the meeting date, or a specific meeting title if known. Use the search bar in the top-right corner of File Explorer to look across your computer.
Open Finder and use the search bar in the top-right corner to look for recordings. Try keywords such as “Zoom”, the meeting date, or the title of the meeting.
If your search results are overwhelming, consider narrowing the search to specific locations, such as your Documents folder or Desktop.
• Manually check your desktop or downloads folder:
If you’ve ever changed the save location temporarily, there’s a chance your recordings ended up in a different place.
• Look in the trash or recycle bin:
Accidental deletions happen! Your recording could still be recoverable from there.
• Ensure the recording was successfully saved:
If your computer shut down or Zoom unexpectedly crashed during the recording, the file may not have been created successfully.
By following these steps, you should be able to locate your locally saved Zoom recordings and avoid the frustration of lost files in the future!
If you’ve recorded your meetings in Zoom’s cloud, here’s where you can find them: navigate to your Zoom account, head to the "Recordings" section, and look under "Cloud Recordings" to access all your saved meetings.
Go to the Zoom web portal and sign in.
Click “My Account” in the top-right corner, then select “Recordings” in the left-hand menu. Here, all your cloud recordings will be listed by meeting ID, title, and date range.
To download a recording, click the download icon next to the file. To share it, generate a shareable link. Zoom will even allow you to add passwords or permission settings for added security.
Finding your recordings is just the beginning of the process. Properly managing these files is essential for staying organized, improving workflow, and ensuring you can easily access them when needed. Mismanaged files can lead to wasted time and frustration, so setting up a clear system is key. Here are some expert tips to help you get started.
Take a moment after each meeting to rename your recordings using clear labels.
Example: 2023-10-15-TeamStrategySession.mp4
Separate recordings by:
Project, Client or Team
This will help streamline your search process later.
Establish a system, such as:
[Date][Client/Project Name][Topic].mp4
It will allow consistent and effortless recording retrieval.
Save a copy of all recordings in a cloud storage platform, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. This ensures extra security.
Finding your recordings is just the first step; the real value comes from effectively leveraging their content to drive insights and actions. That’s where MinutesLink comes in, helping you organize, analyze, and make the most of your recordings with ease.
MinutesLink uses AI to automatically transcribe your Zoom meeting recordings. This enables you to effortlessly convert spoken content into searchable text.
MinutesLink can summarize meetings, extract key points, and even isolate action items, making follow-ups smoother and more efficient.
With MinutesLink, all your notes and summaries are stored in one place, making it the ideal tool for staying organized and productive.
This often happens if you:
• Forgot to start recording during the meeting.
• Changed your Zoom recording settings and don’t recall the new save path.
The duration depends on your Zoom plan. Some plans offer limited storage, while others retain recordings indefinitely until you manually delete them.
Yes! Simply upload them to external cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive for secure storage and easy sharing.
Locating your Zoom recordings doesn’t have to be a struggle. By understanding the types of storage, knowing how to locate files, and keeping them organized, you’ll maximize their value. MinutesLink simplify the post-meeting process by transcribing and summarizing recordings, saving you hours of manual work.
Need help managing your recordings?
Try MinutesLink for free today and take the first step toward mastering your video meeting workflow.
Zoom recordings go are saved either locally on your device or to the Zoom Cloud, depending on your settings. If you choose local recording, the files are saved to a folder on your computer, typically in the "Documents" or "Zoom" folder. For cloud recordings, they are stored in your Zoom account under the "Recordings" section, where you can access and manage them online.
You can find your Zoom meeting recordings by logging into your Zoom account, navigating to the "Recordings" tab on the left-hand menu, and selecting either "Cloud Recordings" or "Local Recordings," depending on where your recordings were saved.
Zoom saves recorded video meetings either locally on your computer or to the Zoom Cloud, depending on the recording settings you choose. Local recordings are stored on your device, typically in a folder labeled "Zoom" under your Documents, while cloud recordings are accessible through your Zoom account online.
To access Zoom recordings, log in to your Zoom account and go to the "Recordings" section in the navigation menu. If the recording was saved locally, check the folder on your computer where Zoom saves recordings by default. For cloud recordings, they will be available directly in your Zoom account under the "Cloud Recordings" tab.
Zoom recordings of recorded video meetings are stored either locally on your computer or in the cloud, depending on the recording settings you choose. Local recordings are saved directly to your device, typically in the Zoom folder, while cloud recordings are stored on Zoom's servers and can be accessed through your account.
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