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It is a known fact that when the screen is idle for a long period of time, the computer takes security measures to activate its locking feature. If you want to record a long video on YouTube, Zoom, or Discord, the computer screen may lock up, which may interrupt the recording process.
Generally, Windows does not allow screen recording when the computer is locked. However, don’t worry! If you are looking for effective ways to record video while computer is locked, there are some simple and useful methods that can help you easily record video even when your computer is locked. Read on to learn how to record video off your computer screen.
Is It Possible to Record Video While Computer Is Locked?
Generally, you cannot make a video recording in lock screen. When the computer is locked, access to most features and apps, including the camera and video recording features, is limited.
However, in some cases, video recording while the computer is locked may be allowed. Below is a brief table to expound on the conditions of how users can/cannot achieve so:
| Can you Make a Lock Screen Recording? | |
| Yes |
(1) Turning off the monitor by pressing the off button on the monitor itself deactivates the monitor while the computer remains running. (2) When the computer is configured to automatically turn off the screen after a certain time or enter sleep mode, the computer is not in a locked state. The system can be reactivated by moving the mouse or pressing a key and applications continue to run. |
| No |
(1) When the screen is locked, the lock screen screen prompts the user for a password. (2) If the computer is configured to automatically power off after a set period of time, the computer will automatically shut down. |
Simply put, lock screen recording is possible if the screen is not really locked but just turned off. So, how to set your computer to turn off the screen or sleep for a period of time? To do that, you just need to go to the Start menu and choose Settings > System > Power & Sleep.
Within the Screen section, you can specify the duration of inactivity before the screen turns off. In the Sleep section, you can choose the amount of time your device waits before entering sleep mode when not in use.
No.1 Free Screen Recorder for Lock Screen Recording
How to record video when screen is locked? A free and professional screen recorder can be your best choice. iTop Screen Recorder is a powerful yet easy-to-use tool that allows you to record video while computer is locked.
Whether you want to record a software tutorial, gameplay, or an important presentation, with the help of iTop Screen Recorder, lock screen recording can be done easily.
Furthermore, this complimentary screen recorder provides 4K/HD recording quality along with a noise reduction feature to enhance audio clarity.
Highlights of Using iTop Screen Recorder to Record Video While Computer Is Locked
♦ Free Record Video While Computer Is Locked in 1 Click
iTop Screen Recorder is a 100% free HD screen recorder that helps you record video while computer is locked in 1 Click, without any payment or credit card information.
♦ Schedule Recording with Automatic Start & End
iTop Screen Recorder offers a scheduled recording feature that allows you to set specific start and end times for your recordings, especially handy for meetings, live programs, or any scheduled event recordings.
♦ Record Screen As Well As Audio
With the help of iTop Screen Recorder, you can record screen and audio with the Denoiser feature that improves audio quality, making your recordings professional.
♦ Record Any Part in Any Ratio
iTop Screen Recorder provides the flexibility to select diverse recording regions and aspect ratios, allowing you to record a part of your screen to meet different needs.
♦ Cut & Trim Recorded Videos Easily
The built-in free video editor feature allows you to cut and trim the recorded video, so you don’t need additional editing tools to refine content and create videos.
How to Record Video While Computer Is Locked?
iTop Screen Recorder is one of the best free and safe recording tools that is easy to use. So, how to record video on lock screen via this app? Well, this section will offer you 2 different methods to help you record video while computer is locked.
Method 1. Directly Record Video While Computer Is Locked
This free tool offers a unique feature that allows you to record videos even when the screen is turned off. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily navigate and use the recording functions.
Step 1: Begin by downloading and installing iTop Screen Recorder on your Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 PC.
Step 2: Run iTop Screen Recorder, go to Record > Screen, and specify the recording area. Enable Speaker, Mic, Webcam, or Mouse as needed, and click the REC button.
Step 3: Press F9 to end recording videos. You can find the captured video in Files > Video. Then, you choose to edit, compress, or rename the recorded videos.
Pros:
- Save energy compared to recording using the active screen.
- Reduce the environmental impact or extend the battery life of your PC.
- With the screen off, the PC can allocate more processing power and resources, resulting in smoother, higher quality video capture.
Cons:
- Hard to know the status of the recording.
- Limit your ability to interact with the recording process while the PC is locked.
Method 2. Prevent System from Sleeping While Recording
If you think you cannot be 100% sure to record video while computer is locked, you can let iTop screen Recorder change the power plan in Settings. Then, you will find how to record video off your computer screen is quite simple and easy.
Step 1: Free download iTop Screen Recorder and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your PC.
Step 2: Launch iTop Screen Recorder to its main interface, click the three lines at the top right corner to select Settings, and go to the Record tab to tick Prevent system from sleeping during recording.
Step 3: Select the desired screen region, set up the Speaker, Mic, Webcam, or Mouse as you like, and then click the red REC button to screen record.
Pros:
- Allow you to easily check the recording progress in real-time.
- Don’t need to repeatedly intervene to prevent the system from sleeping.
Cons:
- Keeping the system awake for extended periods of time may affect overall energy efficiency.
- Continuously preventing the system from sleeping during recording may result in faster battery consumption.
Once you have prevented the system from sleeping during recording (Go to Windows Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings to check), you can be sure to record Zoom meeting without permission.
Note: The purpose of this guide is to assist you in learning how to record video off your computer screen. It explicitly discourages any illicit use of access to computer systems, networks, or restricted information.
Bonus: How to Record Video With Screen Off iPhone?
In some cases, you may need to record video with the iPhone screen off, whether it’s to capture long shots without draining the battery or to ensure discreet recording. Fortunately, Apple you to record video while the screen is inactive. Here’s a full guide on how to record video with screen off iPhone:
Step 1: Open the Settings on your iPhone, tap General > Accessibility, and then turn on Guided Access.
Step 2: Go to Accessibility Shortcut and select Voiceover. Then, open your Camera app in video mode and make sure that you set your volume all the way down to zero.
Step 3: Tap the Power button 3 times and select Voiceover. Hit the Record button twice and triple with three fingers.
Now your camera is recording even with your screen completely turned off.
The Bottom Line
All in all, it can be a bit tricky to record video while computer is locked. However, this blog has shown you the best screen recorder with detailed steps to help you capture video when your Windows 11 or 10 PC locks up. With this helpful tool, you can easily screen record protected videos and other online resources even the screen is off.
