Respondus LockDown Browser Download Guide

If you’ve landed on a quiz that requires Respondus LockDown Browser, you won’t find it in your regular app store — the download process is a bit different from typical software. Students get a special link tied to their school, which means there’s no universal download page you can grab from anywhere.

Developer: Respondus Inc. · Primary Use: Online exam security · Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS · Cost for Students: Free · Available On: App Store, Direct Download

The table below summarizes the core attributes that define Respondus LockDown Browser across all supported platforms.

How do I download Respondus LockDown Browser?

The download process starts with a link specific to your institution — Respondus uses a 9-digit ID embedded in the URL to tie the browser to your school’s learning management system. That means there’s no universal download page you can grab from anywhere; your professor or school IT department typically sends the link through the course site or an email.

Download links for Windows

• Navigate to the quiz or exam in your course that requires LockDown Browser
• Click the “Download and Install LockDown Browser” link that appears within the quiz interface
• Save the installer (filename: LockDownBrowser-2-0-x-xx.exe) to your Downloads folder
• Run the executable and allow Respondus to make changes when prompted (Queensborough Community College CUNY)

Ohio State University students can use the direct link https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=462913331, while CUNY students use https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=453108607 (Ohio State University). If your institution provides a custom page, make sure your school name appears before you click “Install Now” (Wilmington University).

Download for Mac

• Click the institution-provided download link from your course
• The Mac package downloads as InstallLDBPackage64c-2-0-x-xx.zip — unzip if it doesn’t auto-extract
• Open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation

Danville Area Community College provides a dedicated Mac link at https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=763266066 (DACC). Mac users launch the application from the Applications folder after installation is complete (Respondus).

Download from App Store for iPad

• Open the App Store on your iPad and search for “Respondus LockDown Browser”
• Install the app published by Respondus Inc.
• Note that your instructor must enable iPad access for it to work in your course — not all quizzes permit iPad use

The iPad version lives exclusively in the App Store, and your instructor controls whether you can use it. If iPad isn’t enabled for your specific exam, you’ll need a Windows or Mac computer instead (Respondus).

How do I install and use LockDown Browser as a student?

After downloading, the installation process is straightforward — Respondus designed it to be a one-time setup per computer. The exact prompts vary slightly between Windows and Mac, but both require local administrator rights and take just a few minutes.

Installation steps on computer

• Locate the downloaded installer file in your Downloads folder (it starts with “LockDownBrowser” or “InstallLDB”)
• Double-click the file to launch the installation wizard
• Select your preferred language, accept the license terms, and click through the remaining prompts
• On Windows, click “Yes” when asked to allow Respondus to make changes to your device
• Finish the installation — you should see a desktop icon appear when complete (Queensborough Community College CUNY)

Installation requires local administrator rights on both Windows and Mac systems (Respondus Support). If you’re on a shared or university-owned computer, you may need to contact IT support for installation assistance.

Launching for exams

• On Windows: double-click the desktop icon, or go to Start > All Programs > Respondus > LockDown Browser
• On Mac: open the Applications folder and click the LockDown Browser icon
• The browser will open and prompt you to enter the exam URL or select from available quizzes
• Once the quiz starts, the browser locks down — you can’t access other apps, websites, or documents

Respondus states that “the installation process is fast and easy, and the browser only needs to be installed once to a computer” (Respondus). After the initial setup, launching and joining exams is quick.

Do you need to download Respondus LockDown Browser?

Not every quiz or assignment requires it — LockDown Browser is reserved for exams where academic integrity matters most. Your instructor decides whether to enable it for a specific assessment, and the system marks those exams accordingly in your course.

When required by instructors

• High-stakes exams in subjects like nursing, law, or standardized tests often require proctoring browsers
• Online courses that proctor exams remotely use LockDown Browser to prevent web access and application switching
• Instructors enable the requirement per quiz in the learning management system (Canvas, Blackboard, etc.)

The browser prevents students from searching the internet and accessing other applications during the exam window (University of Alberta). If you’re unsure whether your upcoming exam requires it, check the course syllabus or ask your instructor directly.

Alternatives if not needed

• Regular browser access for practice quizzes, discussion posts, and non-proctored assignments
• ALEKS supports LockDown Browser on Windows, Mac, iPad, and Chromebook for adaptive coursework — but regular quizzes may work in standard browsers

Downloading and installing LockDown Browser costs nothing for students using personal devices (Respondus). There’s no reason to avoid installing it preemptively if your school uses it — you’ll be ready the moment an exam requires it.

Can I use the LockDown Browser on a desktop?

LockDown Browser works across most devices students actually own, including traditional desktops and laptops running Windows or Mac. Chromebook and iPad support exists too, though each platform works a bit differently.

Desktop OS support

• Windows 10 and 8 (Windows 10S is not supported)
• macOS 10.12 through 11.1
• Older OS versions may work but are not officially supported by Respondus

These are the officially tested configurations from Wilmington University’s detailed installation guide (Wilmington University). If you’re running a newer macOS version beyond 11.1, the browser may still function, but there’s no guarantee.

Chromebook compatibility

• Chromebook users install LockDown Browser as a Chrome Web Store extension, not a traditional application
• Access the same download link provided by your institution to trigger the extension installation
• Once installed, the extension behaves like the desktop version during exams

Ohio State University provides Chromebook-specific guidance, noting that the extension approach works from the same download portal used for Windows and Mac (Ohio State University). Not all instructors enable Chromebook access, so verify with your course requirements.

Mobile options

• iPad is supported via the App Store, but instructors must explicitly allow iPad for each quiz
• Android phones and tablets are not supported — you’ll need a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook for those devices

Why can’t I download Respondus?

Download failures usually stem from one of three causes: using the wrong link, lacking administrator permissions, or downloading from an untrusted source. Here’s how to diagnose and fix each one.

Common download errors

• Wrong or broken link: Some institutions change their download URLs when migrating LMS platforms. If a link from a previous semester doesn’t work, check your current course for the updated version
• Permission denied: Corporate or school computers may block software installations. Contact your IT department if you see an “access denied” message
• Corrupted download: Re-downloading the file from the official link usually resolves this

Avoid downloading from third-party sites offering “free Respondus installers” — these may contain malware or outdated versions that don’t work with your school’s system (Coastal Pines Technical College). Only use links from your institution or the official Respondus site.

Institution-specific versions

• Many schools use customized versions of LockDown Browser tied to their specific learning management system
• You cannot use a friend’s download link — it won’t connect to your course’s quiz server
• If your institution recently switched LMS platforms (e.g., from Canvas Classic to new Canvas), you may need a new download link

University of Alberta students faced this exact situation: “New in January 2026, users opening Canvas Classic quizzes or directly launching Respondus will now need to select ‘U of A Canvas’ from the ‘Server profile’ dropdown box” (University of Alberta). The browser itself didn’t change, but the server profile did.

Browser compatibility issues

• LockDown Browser is a standalone application — it doesn’t run inside your regular Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
• Attempting to open exam links in a standard browser will fail; you must launch LockDown Browser first
• If the browser won’t launch at all, uninstall and reinstall the application

Version 2.0.3.05 and later versions do not auto-update, meaning you need to manually check for updates or reinstall when a new version is released (Ohio State University). Check your course announcements or IT portal for version update notices.