Record a course screen lesson on a shared PC

You need to record a lesson on a computer your team shares. The screen may show private files, notifications, or another person's account, and a quiet microphone can leave the lesson hard to follow.

Prepare the desktop before you record, then make a short test to check the picture and sound. The Screen Recorder can capture a screen, window, or browser tab, with sound, a microphone, and a camera if you want them.

Prepare and record the lesson

1. Open the Screen Recorder on the shared computer. Close unrelated windows and documents, and move any private files out of view.
2. Decide what the lesson needs to show. Choose a browser tab for a web demonstration, a window for one application, or the screen if you need to move between several apps.
3. Choose the sound sources the lesson needs. Include microphone audio for your narration. Include system or tab sound only if the lesson contains audio learners need to hear. Use the camera only if a presenter view adds value.
4. Make a short test recording. Explain one step, play it back, and check that the screen is readable and the voice is clear. Confirm the selected screen or window is the right one.
5. Record the lesson in manageable sections. Pause between topics if needed, then stop the recording and save the file to a location intended for the team.

When the browser asks what to share, select the intended screen, window, or tab in its picker. Check the preview before you begin. Screen sharing permission gives the browser access to the source you select, so do not select a screen that contains private information.

Choose what the lesson should capture

A browser tab

Use a tab when the lesson stays inside one website or web app. This keeps other open windows out of the recording. If the page plays audio, check whether the browser offers tab audio sharing and include it when the sound matters to the lesson.

An application window

Choose a window when you are demonstrating one desktop app. Other windows are less likely to appear, but menus or dialog boxes may open outside the selected window in some apps. Test those parts before recording the full lesson.

The entire screen

Choose the screen when you need to switch between apps or show a system setting. This captures more than a single tab or window, so close private documents and hide anything learners should not see. On a computer with multiple monitors, make sure you select the display with the lesson content.

The recording has picture and voice

Your capture source and microphone are working together. Listen through the whole test, not only the first few seconds. Make sure the voice is easy to understand and that the screen text is large enough to read.

The recording is silent or shows the wrong content

This usually means the wrong source or sound option was selected, or the browser did not get the permission it needs. Use the fixes below, then make another short test before recording the lesson again.

Fix common recording problems

1. Hide notifications and private details. Turn on Do not disturb or Focus, close personal email and messaging windows, and remove names or account details that learners do not need. On a shared computer, check the desktop and taskbar for private items too.
2. Allow screen sharing in the browser. When prompted, choose the screen, window, or tab you intend to record and confirm sharing. If you previously denied access, reload the recorder and start a new capture request. The browser may require a fresh selection each time.
3. Allow microphone access. Check the microphone permission beside the browser address bar and allow it for the recorder. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and enable microphone access for apps and desktop apps. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and allow your browser.
4. Check screen-recording permission on a Mac. If macOS blocks screen capture, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording (the wording can vary by macOS version) and allow the browser. Quit and reopen the browser if macOS asks you to restart it.
5. Choose the right microphone and sound. Select the microphone you will speak into, such as a headset mic rather than the computer's built-in mic. If the lesson needs audio from a website or app, check that the chosen capture source includes it. Make another short recording to confirm both sources are present.
6. Save the file somewhere appropriate. Use a team-approved folder with the right access, rather than leaving the only copy in a shared Downloads folder. Check that the file opens and plays before clearing it from the computer.

Keep a shared computer recording private

A screen recording can include more than the lesson: desktop notifications, account names, open tabs, and saved files may all appear. Review the finished recording before sharing it. If you spot private information, make a new recording after removing it rather than sending the unreviewed file to the team.

Screen Recorder runs in the browser. Nothing you record is uploaded by the tool. The recording is saved on the computer, so other people who can access the same account or folder may still be able to find it. Use the team's approved storage location and follow its rules for deleting temporary copies.