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10 Tech How-To

How to Use NVIDIA Share to Record Desktop on Windows

Guide 10-13352 · Updated · Step by step

NVIDIA Share (part of GeForce Experience) lets you record your desktop, applications, and games without extra software. This guide shows you how to set it up, start and stop recording, and fix common issues. You’ll need an NVIDIA graphics card (GTX 600 series or newer) and the GeForce Experience app installed.

What You’ll Need

  • An NVIDIA GPU (GTX 600 series or newer)
  • GeForce Experience installed (latest version)
  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • Sufficient free disk space for recordings

Step-by-Step

  1. Open GeForce Experience. If you don’t have it, download it from NVIDIA’s official website and install it. Sign in with an NVIDIA account (or create one) if prompted.
  2. Enable NVIDIA Share. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner. Under the General tab, toggle In-Game Overlay to ON. This activates NVIDIA Share (formerly ShadowPlay).
  3. Open the overlay. Press Alt+Z to bring up the NVIDIA Share overlay on your screen. This is the main control panel for recording, broadcasting, and screenshots.
  4. Configure recording settings. In the overlay, click the Record tab (or the camera/video icon). Here you can set:
    • Video: Choose resolution, frame rate (30/60 FPS), and bitrate.
    • Audio: Select which audio sources to record (game, mic, or both).
    • Save location: Click Recordings to change the folder where files are saved.
  5. Enable desktop capture. By default, NVIDIA Share may only record games. To record your desktop, go to the overlay, click Preferences (gear icon), and enable Desktop Capture. This allows recording of the entire desktop, including file explorer, browsers, and other apps.
  6. Start recording. Press Alt+F9 to start recording. A small timer may appear showing that recording is active. Alternatively, you can use the overlay’s Record button.
  7. Stop recording. Press Alt+F9 again to stop. The video file will be saved to your chosen folder (default: Videos folder in your user directory).
  8. Check your recording. Open the file to verify it looks and sounds as expected. If not, adjust settings in the overlay and try again.

Common Mistakes

  • Desktop Capture is off: If you can’t record your desktop, this is the most likely cause. Make sure it’s enabled in Preferences.
  • Wrong audio source: If your recording has no sound or only game sound, check the audio settings in the Record tab. Select Both if you want game and mic audio.
  • Recording the wrong screen: If you have multiple monitors, NVIDIA Share records the primary display by default. To change, go to Preferences and select the correct display.
  • Overlay not appearing: If Alt+Z doesn’t work, the overlay might be disabled. Re-enable it in GeForce Experience settings.
  • File size too large: High bitrate and resolution create large files. Lower the bitrate or resolution if storage is a concern.

Tips

  • Use Instant Replay: If you want to save the last 30 seconds (or a custom duration) of your desktop, enable Instant Replay in the overlay. Then press Alt+F10 to save that clip.
  • Customize hotkeys: You can change the default hotkeys (Alt+F9, Alt+F10, Alt+Z) in the overlay’s Preferences under Keyboard Shortcuts.
  • Record in high quality: For crisp recordings, set resolution to your monitor’s native resolution and 60 FPS. Use a bitrate of 50 Mbps or higher for 1080p.
  • Manage storage: Regularly clean up old recordings. You can also set a Recording Length limit (e.g., 10 minutes) to avoid accidentally filling your disk.
  • Use HDR if supported: If your monitor supports HDR, enable HDR in the recording settings for more vibrant colors (Windows must also have HDR enabled).

Troubleshooting

  • Recording doesn’t start: Ensure Desktop Capture is on and you’re not already recording. Restart GeForce Experience or your PC if the hotkey doesn’t respond.
  • No audio in recording: Check your audio device settings in Windows. Make sure the correct microphone is selected in NVIDIA Share. Also, try setting audio to Both and test again.
  • Overlay won’t open: Update GeForce Experience to the latest version. If the overlay still won’t open, try disabling and re-enabling the In-Game Overlay in settings, then restart the app.
  • Video is choppy or laggy: Lower the resolution or bitrate. Close other heavy applications. Also, ensure your GPU drivers are updated.
  • Recordings are black or blank: This can happen with protected content (like DRM video). Try recording a different window. Also, update your GPU drivers.
  • NVIDIA Share not available: If you have a very old GPU or GeForce Experience is not installed, NVIDIA Share won’t work. Check your GPU model and update drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I record my desktop without GeForce Experience?
A: No, NVIDIA Share is part of GeForce Experience. You need it installed and the overlay enabled.

Q: Does recording affect performance?
A: Yes, but usually minimal. NVIDIA uses dedicated hardware encoding (NVENC), which has a small performance impact. On older GPUs, you may notice a slight FPS drop.

Q: Can I record only a specific window?
A: No, NVIDIA Share records the entire desktop or a game. To record a single window, you’d need third-party software like OBS Studio.

Q: Why is my recording limited to 10 minutes?
A: This is a default setting. You can change the maximum recording length in the overlay’s Preferences under Recording.

Q: Can I record in 4K?
A: Yes, if your GPU supports it and your monitor is 4K. Set the resolution to 3840×2160 in the recording settings.

Q: Where are my recordings saved?
A: By default, they’re saved in your Videos folder. You can change this in the overlay’s Preferences under Recordings.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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