How to Use Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) to Record Desktop on Windows
Nvidia renamed ShadowPlay to Share recently. Share is a desktop app used by gamers to record their gaming sessions that they can then share with their friends on platforms likeTwitch and Discord. Not only this, but Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) also allows broadcasting and taking screenshots. Here’s how to use Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) to record your desktop while gaming on Windows 10 and 11.
Note:While Nvidia has rebranded ShadowPlay to Share, the name ShadowPlay continues to linger around both in the gaming community as well as on the official Nvidia website.
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How to Install Nvidia Share
Prerequisites:The only criterion to use Nvidia Share is Nvidia graphics card that you must have installed on your Windows 10 and 11 computers. Your PC should meet theminimum requirementswhich are pretty low but you may still crosscheck.
The Nvidia Share is part of the GeForce Experience which should come pre-installed with your computer if it has an Nvidia graphics card. If not, you candownload Nvidia GeForce Experienceand install it like any other Windows app.
If you are unsure of whether or not you have the app preinstalled, press the Windows key and search for Nvidia GeForce Experience to find it.
Once you have GeForce Experience ready of which Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) is part of, it’s time to record your gaming moves and tricks.
Use Nvidia Share to Record and Save
Running Nvidia Share can take a toll on your gaming PC’s performance. While Nvidia claims that loss of performance can be around 5-10%, some users haveexperienced 20-25% FPS loss. Depending on the game you are playing and your PC’s configuration, your mileage may vary. We would recommend you play the game without Nvidia Share running and then with Share running to record differences in performance using anFPS counter app.
Now, on with recording your gameplay on Windows computer using Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay).
How to Launch Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) Overlay
Simply pressAlt + Zkeys on your keyboard to launch the Nvidia GeFroce Experience Share overlay. Here is how it looks:
If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work, click on theSharebutton.
Press the side arrow keys to move through the available options or mouse to point and click.
How to Record Using Nvidia Share
PressAlt + F9or click theRecord buttonin the center to begin recording your gameplay.
Now click on theStartoption to begin recording instantly or selectSettingsto change how recording is done and saved.
You can change the duration of the replay video’s length, quality of the video recorded, resolution, and frame rate from settings.
Click the big greenSavebutton on the right to save changes made.
To stop the video recording, open the share overlay again and click onStop and Savebutton or press theAlt + 9shortcut.
Press the microphone or camera icon to enable or disable mic (audio) and camera (video) recording while playing the game.
The difference between Record and Instant Replay is that when you record, it will record the gameplay screen from the moment you begin to the moment you stop the recording. With Instant Replay, you can set a time, like say 2 minutes, and at any given moment, only the last 2 minutes of gameplay will be available to save. That should save storage space. Both Record and Instant Replay offer the same Settings which may be confusing for some users.
To begin Instant Replay recording, press the button and selectTurn onoption or pressAlt + Shift + F10. Press theEsckey to close the Nvidia Share (Shadowplay) overlay and return to gaming.
Where are recordings saved?
All recordings will be saved in the game folder of the default Video folder. For example:
However, you can manually change where the recordings are saved from the Nvidia Share overlay. PressAlt + Zto open the overlay and click onSettings.
Then go toRecordings.
Click on thekebab menu (three-dot icon)to select a new folder where you would like the recordings to be saved.
- Nvidia Share (ShadowPlay) overlay is not working?
Well, the GeForce Experience app needs to be up and running in the background for Share ShadowPlay) to work. Open the GeForce Experience app and then click on the cross icon in the upper right corner to close the window. It won’t close the app but only move it to the system tray.
- Is Nvidia GeForce Experience free to use?
Yes, it is completely free to use forNvidia graphics cardusers so you need to have it installed on your gaming computer.
Use Nvidia Share to Record and Share Gameplay
Nvidia Share is quite good at recording gameplay and offers good features. However, the app can be a little unstable at times and may consume more resources than needed leading to a drop in FPS andlags. Fortunately, there are plenty of 3rd-party apps that can get the job done if you are experiencing issues with Nvidia Share.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
