Share Screen

Share your screen in Zoom

During a Zoom meeting, select the Share Screen button at the bottom of the window to initiate screen sharing.

You will be presented with a window displaying all the available options for sharing. Typically, this screen will show any displays connected to your device (i.e., Desktop 1, Desktop 2) which will broadcast everything on the selected screen. This option may be best if you intend to switch between applications during your presentation.

Zoom will also display options for sharing any applications currently open on your PC, allowing you to only broadcast a specific application and hiding the rest of your desktop from view.

Zoom interface during screen sharing

The Zoom meeting interface will change once you begin screen sharing. This is to provide you with the best possible view of your content, whilst allowing you to control and manage the meeting. Please note, any elements of the Zoom interface (i.e., Settings bar, Chat, Participants panel, etc.) open on your screen when sharing will not be visible to participants, even when sharing your full desktop.

Participant cameras can still be viewed when screen sharing in a compact view. You can click and drag this window to move it around your screen. Use the ‘square’ icons at the top of the window to customise how many participant cameras are visible or to hide the window.

Screen sharing can be paused at any time using the Pause Share button or stopped entirely by selecting the red Stop Share button on the Settings bar.

All meeting control options are available during screen sharing. However, a number of settings will only be available under the More button on the Settings bar. From this menu you can pause or resume the recording, open the Chat window, and manage Breakout rooms.

Selecting the Annotate button will allow you to draw and place text anywhere on the screen. (Note: Drawing functionality may be easier to manage on touch-enabled devices) Annotation features can also be made available for participants for collaborative editing. The Spotlight tool can turn your mouse cursor into an arrow or laser pointer, which can be helpful for drawing the audience’s attention to specific areas of your screen during presentations.

Advanced sharing settings

For additional sharing options, select the ‘arrow’ icon beside the Share Screen button and select Advanced Sharing Options… from the menu.

This will allow you to adjust how many people can share at once, which roles can utilise screen sharing (only the Host or all Participants), and which roles can share when another user has screen sharing enabled.

Sharing PowerPoint slides

Please see our guide on Sharing a PowerPoint presentation in Zoom.