Free Guide to LockDown Browser Recording Features
What LockDown Browser Does
LockDown Browser is a specialized testing application created by Respondus, a company that develops educational technology tools. When you use this software to take an online exam, it fundamentally changes how your computer behaves during the test. The application locks down your device by preventing you from accessing other programs, websites, and functions while the exam is active. This restriction applies to most standard computer operations that students might otherwise use during a test.
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The core function of LockDown Browser is to create a controlled testing environment that mimics the conditions of a physical classroom exam. Once you launch the application and start your exam, the software prevents you from opening new browser tabs or windows, visiting different websites, or switching to other applications on your computer. Your screen becomes dedicated solely to the exam interface. The browser also disables right-clicking, copying text, printing, and accessing bookmarks or browser history during the test session.
Beyond basic browser functions, LockDown Browser restricts access to your computer's system features. You cannot open the Windows task manager, access your file explorer, or use keyboard shortcuts that would normally allow you to switch between open applications. The software also prevents you from taking screenshots of the exam content using standard screenshot tools. These restrictions exist because educational institutions want to prevent students from consulting external resources, sharing exam questions, or receiving unauthorized help during assessments.
The application works across different operating systems including Windows and Mac computers. It integrates with learning management systems that schools and universities use, such as Canvas, Blackboard, D2L, and Moodle. When an instructor creates an exam through their learning platform and designates it as requiring LockDown Browser, the system routes your exam through the LockDown application rather than allowing you to take it in a standard web browser.
Practical Takeaway: Before taking any exam with LockDown Browser, understand that you will have access only to the exam itself and nothing else on your device. Plan to have any necessary materials (scratch paper, calculator if permitted) ready before you start, since you cannot access other programs or resources once the test begins.
Recording Limitations You Should Know
LockDown Browser implements specific restrictions on screen recording because educational institutions use these limitations to maintain exam integrity. Screen recording technology allows users to capture everything displayed on their monitor, which means a student could theoretically record an entire exam, save it, and share the questions with others. This undermines the validity of testing and creates unfair advantages for students in future test cycles. Understanding these recording restrictions helps you know what tools will and will not function when you are taking a proctored assessment.
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Built-in operating system recording tools are blocked when LockDown Browser is active. On Windows computers, the Game Bar recording feature (which many students use casually to capture screen content) will not function. Mac users will find that the QuickTime screen recording option is similarly disabled. These are the native, pre-installed recording methods that come with your operating system, and LockDown Browser specifically prevents them from working. Third-party screen recording software like OBS Studio, Camtasia, ScreenFlow, or Snagit will also not record while the LockDown Browser session is running. Even if you attempt to launch these programs before starting your exam, they become inaccessible once the testing application takes over your screen.
The reasoning behind these restrictions involves several concerns that institutions consider important. First, recorded exam content could be distributed to other students preparing for the same test, giving those students an unfair preview. Second, recording allows cheating patterns to be documented and potentially sold as study materials. Third, some exam questions are proprietary content that institutions want to protect. Fourth, recording could facilitate impersonation, where someone records an exam for another person to view while they take it remotely. By preventing all recording methods, institutions attempt to eliminate these possibilities.
It is important to note that these restrictions only apply during your active exam session. Before you start the exam or after you finish and close LockDown Browser, your computer's recording functions return to normal. The lockdown is temporary and session-specific. Additionally, some institutions may use LockDown Browser in combination with a webcam-based proctoring service. In those cases, a human proctor or automated monitoring system may be recording you (with your knowledge), but you personally cannot record the exam itself. These are separate functions with different purposes—institutional recording for verification and student recording prevention for security.
Practical Takeaway: Do not attempt to use any recording tools during your exam, as none of them will work. If you need documentation of your exam completion or results, ask your instructor or testing center for an official transcript or certification after the test concludes.
Common Questions About Functionality
Students preparing to use LockDown Browser often have specific questions about what they can and cannot do during their exam. One frequently asked question is whether you can use a calculator during your test. The answer depends on what your specific exam allows. If your instructor has permitted a calculator, you may be able to use a basic on-screen calculator that appears within the LockDown Browser interface itself, or you may be allowed to use a physical calculator beside you. However, you cannot open your operating system's calculator application or access an online calculator from a different website. Similarly, if your exam allows the use of a scratch paper notepad, this would typically be a physical piece of paper next to your computer—you cannot open a digital text editor on your device.
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Another common question involves technical problems during testing. What happens if your internet connection drops while you are taking an exam through LockDown Browser? Most learning management systems that use LockDown Browser have built-in features that pause your exam if your connection is lost. When your connection is restored, you can typically resume where you left off, and the time spent disconnected is not counted against you. However, the specific policy varies by institution. This is why it is important to contact your school's testing center or your instructor before your exam to understand their policy on technical issues and what you should do if problems occur.
Students also ask whether they can use multiple monitors with LockDown Browser. The answer is generally no. The application is designed to lock down your entire screen environment. If you have multiple monitors connected to your computer, LockDown Browser will prevent you from viewing anything on any of your screens except the exam itself. Some versions of the application will display the exam on your primary monitor and show a blocked screen on secondary monitors. This is another reason to set up your testing space carefully before you begin, ensuring you have only the computer you will be testing on in your immediate work area.
Many students wonder if they can use a smartphone or tablet to look something up while taking the exam on their computer. While your computer itself is locked down, having other devices in the room is a matter of your institution's testing policies. Some testing centers or proctored exam settings have strict rules that prohibit any other electronic devices in the testing area. Others may allow them but prohibit their use during the exam. Some fully remote testing setups may use webcam monitoring that would detect if you use another device. Your instructor or testing center will inform you of these policies when you schedule your exam, and it is your responsibility to follow them. Using another device to look up exam answers when it is prohibited would constitute cheating and could result in serious academic consequences.
Another question many students have is whether LockDown Browser slows down their computer or the exam. In general, the application runs in the background and should not significantly slow your computer or make the exam interface lag, assuming your computer meets the system requirements. However, if your computer is older, has limited RAM, or is running many applications before you start LockDown Browser, you may experience slower performance. This is why it is recommended that you close all other applications before starting your exam and restart your computer if you experience any issues.
Practical Takeaway: Before your exam day, contact your instructor or testing center to learn the specific policies for your particular exam. Ask about calculator use, what happens if your connection drops, whether other devices are permitted in your testing space, and what you should do if you encounter technical problems.
How to Prepare for Testing
Preparation for using LockDown Browser begins well before your exam day. The first step is to verify that your computer meets the system requirements. LockDown Browser requires a relatively modern computer, but the specifications are not unusually demanding. For Windows users, the system typically needs Windows 7 or later with at least 512 MB of RAM, though more RAM is preferable for better performance. Mac users need OS X 10.4 or later. Your computer also needs a stable internet connection, as LockDown Browser requires constant connectivity to function. If you are unsure whether your computer meets these requirements, your school's technology support team can help verify this before your exam.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.