You can open a Zoom recording file on Windows either directly through the Zoom desktop application or by navigating to the saved recording files in your computer's file system.
Opening Recordings via the Zoom Desktop Client
The Zoom desktop application provides a convenient way to access and manage your recordings without manually searching for files. This method is particularly useful if you're unsure where your recordings are saved.
- Sign in to the Zoom desktop app on your Windows PC.
- In the top-right corner of the Zoom application window, click the calendar side panel icon. This icon will change, and a panel will appear on the right side of the desktop app.
- In the bottom-right corner of this newly opened panel, select "Open Recordings". This action will open a new window showing a list of your local recordings.
- From this list, you can select the recording you wish to open and choose options like "Open" (to play the video), "Play Audio," "Delete," or "Open Folder" (to view the files in File Explorer).
Locating and Opening Recording Files Manually
Zoom typically saves recordings to a default location on your Windows computer. Once you know this location, you can open the files directly using your preferred media player or text editor.
Default Recording Location
By default, Zoom saves local recordings to the following directory on Windows:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Zoom
Within this Zoom folder, each recording session will have its own subfolder, usually named with the date and time of the meeting (e.g., 2023-10-27 10.30.00 Meeting ID).
Understanding Zoom Recording File Types
A Zoom recording session usually consists of multiple files. Here's a breakdown of common file types you might find and how to open them:
| File Type | Description | How to Open (Windows) |
|---|---|---|
.mp4 |
This is the primary video file of your recording, containing both video and audio. This is what most users want to play. | Double-click to open with your default video player (e.g., Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player). |
.m4a |
An audio-only file of the recording. Useful if you only need the sound. | Double-click to open with your default audio player. |
.m3u |
A playlist file. It might link to the .mp4 or .m4a files. |
Can be opened by media players but is not the main recording itself. |
.txt |
Contains the chat transcript from the meeting. | Open with Notepad or any text editor. |
.vtt |
WebVTT format for captions or transcripts, if these features were enabled during the recording. | Open with Notepad or any text editor; often used with video players for subtitles. |
Steps to Open Files Manually:
- Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
- Navigate to the default Zoom recordings folder:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Zoom. - Locate the specific meeting folder you want to open. The folder name will typically include the date, time, and meeting ID.
- Double-click the
.mp4file inside the meeting folder. It should automatically open and play in your default video player. If you prefer a different player, right-click the.mp4file, select "Open with," and choose your desired application (e.g., VLC Media Player). - For other file types like
.m4aor.txt, simply double-click them to open with their respective default applications.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Can't Find Recordings? Ensure you are looking in the correct user profile folder. If you changed the default recording location in Zoom's settings, check that custom path.
- Recording Not Playing? Make sure you have a compatible media player installed. VLC Media Player is a popular free option that supports a wide range of formats.
- Recording Still Processing? If a recording recently ended, it might still be converting. Wait for a few minutes and check again. Zoom converts recordings after the meeting ends.
By following these methods, you can easily access and view your Zoom recording files on your Windows computer.
