The simplest way to record your screen depends on what device you use

Windows 10 and later come with a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar, which works on any process without installing anything extra. Mac users have Screenshot, which records video as well as still images. If you use Linux, SimpleScreenRecorder and OBS Studio are free options that run on most distributions. All of these capture what you see on your monitor, your mouse movements, and audio from your speakers or microphone.

The tool you pick depends on what you're recording and whether you need to edit the video afterward. Built-in tools are fastest for quick recordings. Dedicated software like OBS Studio gives you more control over quality, file size, and what gets recorded. For most people—recording a tutorial, a video call, or a software demonstration—the built-in option is enough.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and later have Xbox Game Bar built in; press Windows key + G to open it and start recording when ready.
  • Mac users can open Screenshot from Spotlight search and choose the video recording option instead of taking a still image.
  • OBS Studio is free, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and lets you choose what part of your screen to record and adjust video quality.
  • Most screen recordings save as MP4 files, which play on any media player and can be edited in free software like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut.

Recording on Windows with Xbox Game Bar

Open the process or window you want to record. Press the Windows key + G together. A small overlay will appear in the top-left corner of your screen with a red circle (record button) and a microphone icon.

Click the red circle to start recording. Your mouse cursor and everything on screen will be captured. When you're done, click the red square that appears in the same overlay, or press Windows key + G again and click the stop button. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures.

By default, Xbox Game Bar records your speakers' audio. If you want to include your voice instead, click the microphone icon before you start recording to toggle it on. You can record both at once if you want.

Recording on Mac with Screenshot

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app. A toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with five icons: the third icon from the left is for recording video. Click it.

You can then choose to record your entire screen or just a portion of it. Click the area you want to record, or if you selected the full-screen option, just click the Record button. A countdown appears, then recording starts. When you're finished, click the Stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen. The video saves to your Desktop by default, though you can change this in System Settings under General > Desktop & Screen Saver.

Screenshot records your speakers' audio automatically. If you want to record your microphone instead, open System Preferences > Sound before you start, and select your microphone as the input device.

Using OBS Studio for more control

OBS Studio is free software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from obsproject.com. It gives you precise control over what gets recorded, video quality, and file size—useful if you're recording many videos or need them to be smaller for sharing.

When you open OBS, you'll see a blank canvas called a Scene. In the Sources box on the left, click the plus sign and select Display Capture (to record your whole screen) or Window Capture (to record just one process window). Drag the preview to fit your screen, then click the red Start Recording button. OBS saves the video to a folder you choose in Settings > Output.

OBS has a learning curve if you want to use advanced features like multiple scenes or live streaming, but for basic screen recording you only need those three steps. The default settings produce good-quality video without taking up excessive disk space.

What happens to your recording after you stop

All three tools save your video as an MP4 file, which plays on any media player—VLC, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or your web browser. You don't need special software to watch it.

If you want to edit your recording—trim the beginning or end, add text, cut out mistakes—free software like DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac) or Shotcut (Windows, Mac, and Linux) will open MP4 files and let you make changes. Both are more powerful than they need to be for basic editing, but they're free and don't add watermarks.

Common issues and how to fix them

If your recording is silent, check that your audio input is turned on before you start. In Xbox Game Bar, click the microphone icon. In Screenshot, make sure your microphone is selected in System Preferences. In OBS, go to Settings > Audio and confirm your input device is set to the microphone or speakers you want.

If your video is choppy or stutters, your computer may be struggling to record while running other applications. Close unnecessary programs before you record, or lower the resolution in OBS (Settings > Output > Recording > Resolution). Older computers sometimes need this adjustment.

If you can't find your recording, check your Videos folder (Windows) or Desktop (Mac). In OBS, the file goes wherever you set it in Settings > Output > Recording Path. Search your computer for .mp4 files if you're unsure where it saved.

Choosing between built-in tools and OBS Studio

Use Xbox Game Bar or Screenshot if you're recording once or twice and don't need to adjust settings. They're faster to open and require no setup. Use OBS Studio if you record regularly, need smaller file sizes, or want to record only part of your screen while leaving other windows visible.

OBS also lets you record multiple monitors at once and save in formats other than MP4, like WebM or MKV. But for a single tutorial video or a recording of a video call, the built-in tools do the job in seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one window instead of my whole screen?

Yes. In Xbox Game Bar, open the window you want to record first, then press Windows key + G—it will record only that window. In Screenshot, choose the window recording option from the toolbar. In OBS, select Window Capture instead of Display Capture in the Sources menu.

How much disk space does a screen recording use?

A one-hour recording at standard quality uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB, depending on your screen resolution and frame rate. Most computers have enough space for several hours of video. If you need to save space, OBS lets you lower the bitrate in Settings > Output > Recording.

Can I record my screen and my webcam at the same time?

Xbox Game Bar and Screenshot don't support this. OBS Studio does—add your webcam as a second source in the Sources menu, position it on the canvas, and start recording. Your webcam feed will appear as a window within the screen recording.

What if I want to record a video call without the other person knowing?

Check the laws in your location first. Many places require all parties in a conversation to consent to being recorded. Some video call platforms like Zoom have built-in recording features that notify participants. Using a screen recorder to record a call without consent may be illegal where you live.

Can I record in full HD or 4K?

Yes, but it depends on your monitor and computer. If your monitor displays in 4K, OBS Studio can record in 4K by setting the resolution in Settings > Output. Built-in tools like Xbox Game Bar record at your monitor's native resolution. Recording in 4K uses much more disk space and requires a faster computer to avoid stuttering.