The fastest way to screen record depends on your operating system

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that works on any program or window. Mac computers use Screenshot, which is built into the system. Both are free and require no setup. If you need more control—like editing the video after recording, adding a cursor highlight, or recording just one window instead of your whole screen—third-party software gives you those options, though some charge a fee.

The method you choose depends on what you're recording. If you're capturing a quick tutorial or a video call, the built-in tool is usually enough. If you need to edit the video, add titles, or record audio from multiple sources at once, you'll want something more advanced.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 have Xbox Game Bar built in; press Windows key + G to open it, then click the record button.
  • Mac computers use the Screenshot app; press Shift + Command + 5 to open it and select the screen recording option.
  • Both built-in tools record your entire screen by default, but you can select a specific window or area before you start.
  • Third-party software like OBS Studio (free) or Camtasia (paid) offers more features like audio mixing, editing, and custom layouts.
  • Video files are saved to your Downloads folder or Desktop by default, and you can move or delete them like any other file.

Screen recording on Windows using Xbox Game Bar

Open the program or window you want to record. Press the Windows key + G together. The Xbox Game Bar panel will appear on the right side of your screen. Look for the red circle icon labeled "Record" or "Start recording" and click it. A timer will appear at the top of your screen showing how long you've been recording.

To stop recording, click the red square icon in the Game Bar panel or press Windows key + Alt + R. The video automatically saves to your Videos folder in a subfolder called "Captures". You can open File Explorer and navigate there to find your file. The video will be in MP4 format, which plays on most devices and can be edited in most video software.

If the Game Bar doesn't open, your computer may need an update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates. If you're using an older version of Windows, you can read the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store, which includes Game Bar.

Screen recording on Mac using the Screenshot app

Press Shift + Command + 5 together. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen with five icons. The fifth icon (a rectangle with a dot inside) is the screen recording tool. Click it. You'll see options to record the entire screen or just a selected area. Choose which one you want, then click the "Record" button.

A red dot will appear in the menu bar at the top of your screen while recording. To stop, click that red dot or press Control + Command + Esc. A thumbnail of your recording will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click it to open the video, or let it disappear and the file will save to your Desktop automatically. The video is saved as an MOV file.

If you want to change where videos are saved, click the Options menu in the Screenshot toolbar before you record. You can choose Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, or a specific folder.

Recording just one window or a specific area

Both Windows and Mac let you record a smaller area instead of your whole screen, which saves storage space and keeps distracting background windows out of the video.

On Windows, open Xbox Game Bar and look for a button that says "Select recording area" or shows a rectangle icon. Click it, then drag to draw a box around the area you want to record. Once you've drawn the box, click inside it to start recording. The Game Bar will remember this selection for your next recording.

On Mac, after you press Shift + Command + 5, click the second icon (a rectangle) to record a selected area. Then drag to draw a box around what you want to capture. You'll see the dimensions of your selection in the corner. Click "Record" to start.

Recording audio along with your screen

The built-in tools on both Windows and Mac record your screen but not audio by default. If you're recording a video call or a tutorial where you need to hear what's happening, you'll need to adjust the settings or use different software.

On Windows, open Xbox Game Bar and look for a settings icon (usually a gear). In the Captures section, you should see an option to record audio. Turn it on. The next time you record, audio from your speakers and microphone will be included.

On Mac, the Screenshot app does not record audio. If you need audio, you'll have to use third-party software like QuickTime Player (built into Mac) or OBS Studio (free). Open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording, and you'll see an option to choose your microphone before you start.

Using free third-party software for more control

OBS Studio is free software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It lets you record multiple audio sources at once, switch between windows during recording, add text or images to your video, and save in different formats. read it from obsproject.com. The setup takes a few minutes, but once you've chosen your audio inputs and screen source, recording works the same way as the built-in tools.

Open OBS Studio and you'll see a "Sources" panel. Click the plus icon and select "Display Capture" to record your screen, or "Window Capture" to record just one window. Click the "Start Recording" button. Your video saves to a folder you choose in the settings. OBS is more powerful than the built-in tools but also has more buttons and options to learn.

If you want something simpler than OBS but more features than the built-in tool, ScreenFlow (Mac only, paid) and Camtasia (Windows and Mac, paid) both offer editing tools built in, so you can trim, add captions, and export without opening a separate program.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is forgetting to check where your video saved. On Windows, videos go to Videos > Captures. On Mac, they go to Desktop by default. If you can't find your file, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and search for the date you recorded—the file will be named with a timestamp.

Another mistake is running out of storage space partway through a long recording. If your computer's hard drive is almost full, the recording may stop without warning. Check your storage before you record a long video. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Storage. On Mac, go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.

A third mistake is recording with notifications turned on. Emails, chat messages, and calendar alerts will pop up on your screen during the recording and appear in the video. Before you record, turn on Do Not Disturb (Mac: Control Center > Do Not Disturb; Windows: Settings > System > Focus information > Focus information on).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just my voice without showing my screen?

The built-in screen recorders are designed for video, not audio-only. If you need to record just your voice or audio, use a voice memo app (built into both Windows and Mac) or free software like Audacity. For recording a video call where you want the video but better audio quality, OBS Studio lets you choose your microphone separately from your screen.

How much storage does a screen recording use?

A one-hour screen recording at standard quality uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB of storage, depending on your screen resolution and frame rate. If your computer has less than 5 GB free, record shorter videos or delete old recordings after you've saved them to an external drive or cloud storage.

Can I edit my video after I record it?

Yes. Both Windows and Mac have built-in video editors. On Windows, open the Photos app and click "Create" to trim or add music. On Mac, use iMovie (free, built in). If you want more control, OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow all have editing tools. You can also upload your MP4 or MOV file to free online editors like Kapwing or Clipchamp.

Why is my recording choppy or slow?

If your video plays back with stuttering or dropped frames, your computer may not have enough power to record and run your programs at the same time. Close extra programs before you record, lower your screen resolution, or reduce the frame rate in your recording software settings. Older computers may need to record at 30 frames per second instead of 60.

Can I record a video call without the other person knowing?

Recording laws vary by location. In many places, you must tell the other person you're recording. Some video call platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams show a notification when someone starts recording. Check your local laws and the platform's terms of service before you record.