'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Recover Missing Zoom Recordings and Save Them Locally
Question details
The user needs to find and restore Zoom recordings that have disappeared from their storage folder and wants to know how to properly save them locally.
- Product
- Zoom / OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to access a folder that held multiple Zoom recordings for months, only to find the files are now missing.
- Observed behavior
- Approximately 15 previously stored Zoom recordings are no longer visible in their designated local or cloud-synced folder.
Stop writing new files to your hard drive immediately to prevent overwriting any deleted recording data. Verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft OneDrive account, as sync features may have moved your files to the cloud.
Check OneDrive and the Local Recycle Bin
Use this method to locate files that may have been accidentally deleted or moved by OneDrive's automated cloud-syncing features.
Often, files saved in default document folders are automatically synced and sometimes removed from local storage by OneDrive to free up space. Checking the recycle bins for both your local computer and cloud storage is the best first step.
Open the Recycle Bin from your computer's desktop. Search for files ending in .mp4 or folders named 'Zoom'. If found, right-click and select 'Restore'.
Navigate to the OneDrive website in your browser and log in with your Microsoft credentials.
Click 'Recycle bin' on the left navigation pane. If you spot your missing recordings, select them and click 'Restore'.
Locate the folder where the recordings were originally stored in OneDrive, right-click it, and select 'Version history' to see if you can restore the folder to a previous date before the files went missing.
Use File Recovery Software
Apply this solution if your recordings were permanently deleted and cannot be found in any recycle bin or cloud backup.
Configure Zoom to Save Recordings Locally
Change your Zoom settings to guarantee that all future recordings are saved directly to a secure local folder on your computer.
Manage Your Important Documents with WPS Office
While recovering media files requires specialized tools or cloud troubleshooting, managing your meeting minutes, notes, and scripts is much easier with a reliable office suite. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that helps you store, edit, and sync your documents safely.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website to get the free installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick setup wizard.
- 3. Start working: Open WPS Office to safely draft and manage your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Zoom save local recordings by default?
By default, Zoom saves local recordings to C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Zoom on Windows computers, and /Users/[Username]/Documents/Zoom on Mac computers.
Can I recover a recording if I saved it to the Zoom Cloud instead of locally?
Yes. Log into the Zoom web portal, navigate to 'Recordings' on the left menu, and click the 'Trash' icon in the top right. You can recover deleted cloud recordings from here within 30 days of deletion.
Why did OneDrive remove my local Zoom files?
If your Zoom recordings are saved in the default 'Documents' folder and you have OneDrive backup enabled, OneDrive may automatically move the files to the cloud and remove the local copies to free up hard drive space (a feature known as Files On-Demand).
What format are Zoom local recordings saved in?
Zoom saves the video and audio of the meeting as an .mp4 file. It also frequently generates an audio-only file in .m4a format, and an .m3u playlist file.
