How to Record Online Meetings Even When You’re Not the Host

In the last couple of years, video calling has taken off in record numbers. Notably, Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams have become the most popular meeting tools. If you want to record online meetings for these software, it’s very easy to do it using their built-in menu options.

But what do you do when you’re a guest user? The following methods cover the scenarios of recording online meetings even when you’re not the host. These methods have been reliably tested for Windows 10 systems.

Also read: 10 Video Conferencing Tips for Smooth Remote Work

Record Cloud Meetings in Zoom as a Guest User

We have covered how to record Zoom meetings as an organizer. Zoom is currently the only meeting tool that offers an option for guest participants to record the call, provided it’s on their cloud storage plans.

There is a drawback, though: Basic (free) users can only record on a local desktop or laptop. To be able to use the cloud recording services, you must first enable a paid plan from the “Profile” page on a desktop browser.

After upgrading, go to the “Recording” tab. There you will see the option “Enable Cloud Recording on Your Account.” Navigate to the “Recording” tab and confirm that the “Cloud Recording” feature is enabled. If not, toggle to enable it. After a verification dialog shows up, click “Turn On” to verify the change.

Even with Zoom Pro plans for cloud storage, there’s a 1 GB monthly limit. An average 30-minute Zoom video call file is between 200 to 300 MB. However, that’s still better than other tools like Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, which don’t offer any options for recording as a guest user.

Also read: What Is TeamSpeak and How Do You Use It?

Record Meeting Audio on Any Desktop Browser

If you’re attending a Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams call on a desktop browser and only need the meeting audio, a free extension called “Audio Recorder” provides very reliable results. You can download and install it on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

As soon as the call starts, open the extension from the browser add-on items. For Windows 10 systems, give it permission to use your microphone and HD audio manager as shown here.

Press the blue “Record::Start” button to begin the audio recording. It will record your voice as well as the speakers on the other end.

In the same way, press the “Record::Stop” button to finish the recording. It is saved as an OGG file but can also be converted to MP3 using a menu option. You can view all your past recordings in one place.

Record Online Meetings Using Panopto Express

If you need both audio and video from an online meeting, the freemium tool Panopto Express does the job well. Just hit the red Record button to be taken to the below screen which does the recording. You can adjust the recording video quality (SD, HD, U-HD, etc.) from the Settings. Click the Red button to begin recording during the call.

In this example, the camera has been turned off, but the online software captures the audio and voice perfectly.

When the meeting is over, hit the Red button again to stop the recording. Once the video is ready to share, send it to Panopto, YouTube or a classroom.

Panopto Basic Plan for individuals is free and allows a generous five hours of video storage and 100 hours streaming per month. Higher plans start at $14.99 per month and allow 50 hours of video storage along with unlimited streaming.

Also read: Streamlabs Desktop vs. OBS Studio vs. XSplit Broadcaster

Record Meetings Using OBS

If you want an absolutely free method to record both audio and video in online meetings, use a reliable gamecaster software such as OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). Download OBS and install it on your computer. Go to the “+” sign on add source and select “Display Capture.”

Give a name to the “Create/Select Source” option under “Create new” and press “Click OK.”

You have to previously set the audio configuration and camera from the Settings option at the extreme bottom right. Once done, click “Start recording” to record everything on your screen including audio and video.

Once the call is over and has been recorded, you can remove the online meeting tool from the sources as shown here.

In a post-pandemic era, Google Meet and Zoom calls are here to stay, as they greatly bridge distances and improve productivity. By recording the conversations, you can easily refer to the notes at a later juncture. You can also record Skype calls on Windows 10 and use the same techniques above for recording as a non-host guest user.