Everyday Computer Skills · Video Calls & Devices · Lesson 4 of 5

Sharing Your Screen Safely

Show just what you mean to, and keep private things off the call.

Get ready before you share

Sharing your screen means letting everyone in a video call see what is on your computer. It is handy for showing a document, a photo or a problem.

But people may also see anything else that pops up. Think of it like opening your front door. Tidy up first.

Before you share:

• Close private tabs. A tab is one open page in your browser. Close your email, your bank and anything personal.
• Close apps you don't need. Fewer windows means fewer surprises.
• Turn on Do Not Disturb. Notifications are the small messages that slide in at the corner of the screen. A text from a friend or a bank alert could pop up for everyone to read. Do Not Disturb hides them for now.

To turn on Do Not Disturb on Windows 11, click the date and time on the taskbar. Then click the small bell at the top of the panel that opens. You can also find it in Settings, then System, then Notifications.

Remember to turn it off after the call, so you don't miss messages later.

On a Mac, click Control Center in the menu bar. Click Focus, then Do Not Disturb.

Share one window, then stop

When you click Share in a call, you get a choice. You can share your entire screen, or just one window. A window is the box that one app opens in.

Sharing one window is safer. People only see that one app, like your document. If a message pops up or you open your email, they won't see it.

Each app words it a little differently:

• In Zoom, click Share, pick the window you want, then click Share.
• In Teams, click Share, then pick a window.
• In Google Meet, click Share screen. Then choose a window or a tab, not your entire screen.

While you share, there is usually a colored border around what people can see, or a bar at the top of the screen. That is your reminder that others are watching.

When you are done, click Stop sharing. It is usually in that bar, or with the call buttons. Don't just switch to another app. Until you stop, people may still see what you share.

On a Mac, the first time you share, the Mac asks for permission. Go to System Settings, then Privacy & Security. Find the screen recording setting and turn it on for the call app.