How to record Zoom meetings on Windows without a bot

You can record a Zoom meeting on Windows without a notetaker bot in three ways: Zoom’s own local recording, a screen recorder built into Windows, or a meeting notes app that records from your PC, like Fetch. Only the last one also writes the transcript and notes for you. Whichever you pick, tell the people in the call that you’re recording.

Why skip the bot?

AI notetaker bots join your meeting as an extra guest. That works, but it can feel awkward in a client call or an interview, some companies block outside bots, and the bot only works in meetings it can join. Recording from your own computer avoids all of that. We explain the idea in bot-free recording.

Option 1: Zoom’s local recording

Zoom’s desktop app for Windows can record to your computer, on free and paid accounts.

1. In the meeting, click Record, then Record on this computer.
2. If you’re not the host, Zoom asks the host for permission.
3. When the meeting ends, Zoom converts the recording and saves it to a folder on your PC.

Good: free, built in, and everyone sees the recording notice. Not so good: you need the host’s permission, and a local recording doesn’t come with a transcript. Zoom’s automatic audio transcripts are tied to cloud recording on paid plans.

Option 2: A Windows screen recorder

Windows includes screen recorders, such as the Snipping Tool’s record mode and the Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G). They capture what’s on screen, and can include sound.

Good: no host permission, already on your PC. Not so good: you get a big video file and no transcript, and you have to remember to start it every time.

Option 3: A meeting notes app that records from your PC

Apps like Fetch capture your microphone and your computer’s sound directly, with no bot in the call. Fetch:

• Notices Zoom calls starting and records on its own, or asks first if you prefer. It also watches for Google Meet, Teams and Slack huddles. See Automatic call detection.
• Writes the transcript on your PC as people talk, with your lines marked “Me” and everyone else’s “Them”.
• Writes AI notes after the call, with a summary, decisions and action items, using your own Claude or ChatGPT account.
• Keeps the audio as MP3 files in your Documents folder.

Good: hands-free, a transcript and notes every time, and the audio never leaves your computer for transcription. Not so good: Windows only, and the speech model takes a few gigabytes of disk space.

Already have a Zoom recording?

You can still get a transcript. In Fetch, click Import, choose Recording, and pick the file. Fetch transcribes it on your PC. If you have Zoom’s cloud recording and its transcript file, choose Both to bring in the two together. See Import a recording or transcript.

Getting good sound

• Wear a headset if you can. Your voice stays clean, and the other side doesn’t echo back into your mic.
• Close noisy apps. Notification sounds end up in the recording.
• Do a 30-second test with a friend before an important call.

Tell people you’re recording

Recording laws differ by country and by US state, and some require everyone’s consent. Even where they don’t, it’s good manners. A simple “I’m recording this so I can focus on you instead of my notes. Is that OK?” works almost every time.

The short version

• Zoom’s local recording is free but needs the host’s OK and doesn’t transcribe.
• Windows screen recorders capture video but no transcript.
• A notes app like Fetch records from your PC with no bot, and writes the transcript and notes for you.
• Always tell people you’re recording.

Comparing tools? See Granola alternatives for Windows and Fetch vs cloud notetakers.