What Respondus Lockdown Browser is and where to get it

Respondus Lockdown Browser is a proctoring tool that your school or testing center may require you to use when taking online exams. It locks down your computer so you cannot open other programs, switch windows, or access the internet outside the test itself. You read it directly from Respondus' website or from a link your instructor or testing center provides.

The software is free to read, though your school pays Respondus a license fee to use it. You will not be charged to install it on your personal computer. Before you read, check whether your instructor has sent you a specific link — some schools customize the read page with their own branding or requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Respondus Lockdown Browser is a proctoring tool your school may require for online exams, and you read it free from Respondus' website or a link your instructor provides.
  • The read takes 5 to 10 minutes on a standard internet connection, and installation takes another 5 to 10 minutes depending on your computer speed.
  • You need administrator access on your computer to install it, which means you may not be able to install it on a school-owned device without IT help.
  • After installation, you do not need to do anything else until your instructor tells you to open it for an exam — it sits quietly on your computer until then.
  • If installation fails, the most common causes are missing administrator rights, an outdated operating system, or antivirus software blocking the installer.

System requirements before you read

Respondus Lockdown Browser runs on Windows and Mac, but your computer must meet minimum requirements. For Windows, you need Windows 10 or later with at least 4 GB of RAM. For Mac, you need macOS 10.15 or later. Check your operating system version before you start — if your computer is older than five or six years, it may not meet these requirements.

You also need at least 500 MB of free disk space for the installation. This is rarely a problem on modern computers, but if your hard drive is nearly full, delete old files or programs first. Finally, you need administrator access to your computer. If you are using a school-owned laptop or a work computer, you may not have this permission, and you will need to contact your IT department to install it for you.

How to read from the Respondus website

Go to respondus.com in your web browser. Look for a link labeled "read Lockdown Browser" or "Get Lockdown Browser" — it is usually on the homepage or in a menu at the top. Click it, and you will see a page asking you to choose your operating system: Windows or Mac. Select the one that matches your computer.

Click the read button. Your browser will ask you where to save the file, or it may save automatically to your Downloads folder. The file is called something like "LockdownBrowser-Windows.exe" or "LockdownBrowser-Mac.dmg" depending on your system. The read is about 100 to 150 MB and takes 5 to 10 minutes on a standard home internet connection.

How to read from your school's link

Your instructor or testing center may have sent you a direct link to read Respondus Lockdown Browser. This link often takes you to a customized page with your school's name or logo. Click the read button on that page — the process is the same as downloading from the main website, but the file may be hosted on your school's server instead.

If you cannot find the link, check your course email, the course syllabus, or the testing center's website. If you still cannot locate it, ask your instructor or testing center staff — they can resend the link or tell you whether to read from the main Respondus website instead.

Installing the software after read

Once the read is complete, open your Downloads folder and find the Respondus file. On Windows, double-click the .exe file. On Mac, double-click the .dmg file. A window will open asking you to confirm the installation. Click "Install" or "Next" to proceed.

The installer will ask for your administrator password. Enter it and wait — installation usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You may see a message asking whether you want to allow Respondus to make changes to your computer; click "Yes" to continue. When installation is complete, you will see a confirmation message. You can now close the installer window.

What to do if installation fails

If the installer stops or shows an error, the most common causes are missing administrator rights, antivirus software blocking the installation, or an operating system that is too old. First, check that you are logged in as an administrator on your computer. On Windows, right-click the installer file and select "Run as administrator." On Mac, you may need to allow the app in System Preferences under Security and Privacy.

If you have antivirus software like Norton, McAfee, or Windows Defender, it may be blocking the installer. Temporarily disable it, run the installer again, and then turn it back on. If your operating system is older than Windows 10 or macOS 10.15, you will need to update it before Respondus will install. If none of these steps work, contact your school's IT department or Respondus support — they can walk you through troubleshooting specific to your computer.

After installation: what happens next

Once Respondus Lockdown Browser is installed, you do not need to do anything until your instructor tells you to use it. The software sits on your computer and does not run in the background or collect data when you are not taking an exam. You will see a Respondus icon on your desktop or in your Applications folder, but you should not open it unless your instructor has told you to.

When your exam is scheduled, your instructor will send you instructions on how to open Respondus and log in. You will open the browser, enter your exam code or login information, and the test will load inside the locked environment. After the exam ends, Respondus closes and your computer returns to normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall Respondus after my exam is over?

Yes. You can uninstall it like any other program — on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features, find Respondus Lockdown Browser, and click Uninstall. On Mac, drag the Respondus icon to the Trash. You can reinstall it later if another class requires it.

Will Respondus slow down my computer?

No. Respondus only runs when you open it to take an exam. It does not run in the background, does not use your internet when you are not testing, and does not affect your computer's speed when you are doing other things.

What if I get an error saying my operating system is not supported?

Your computer is likely running an older version of Windows or macOS. Check your operating system version and update it if possible. If your computer is too old to update, contact your school's IT department — they may be able to provide a computer you can use for the exam, or your instructor may offer an alternative testing method.

Do I need internet to read Respondus?

Yes, you need internet to read the installer file. Once it is installed, you will also need internet when you take the exam, because the test itself is online. But the installation file itself must be downloaded over the internet first.

Can I install Respondus on a school-owned computer?

You may not have administrator rights on a school computer, which means the installer will fail. Contact your school's IT department and ask them to install Respondus for you, or ask whether you can use your personal computer instead.