The simplest way to record your screen

Windows and Mac both have built-in recording tools that work without installing anything. On Windows 10 and 11, press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar, then click the red record button. On Mac, press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu, then select "Record Selection" or "Record Entire Screen." Both tools save the video to your computer automatically when you stop recording.

These built-in options record your screen and any audio playing through your speakers or microphone. They work for meetings, tutorials, presentations, or anything else happening on your screen. The video files are large but high quality, and you can trim them afterward using your computer's built-in video editor.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 have a free screen recorder built in—press Windows key + G and click the red record button to start.
  • Mac users can press Shift + Command + 5 to record the entire screen or just a selected area.
  • Both tools record audio from your speakers and microphone, so test your audio before you start recording.
  • Video files are saved automatically and can be edited with Windows Photos or Mac QuickTime Player after recording stops.

Recording on Windows with the Game Bar

Open the program or window you want to record. Press Windows key + G to bring up the Game Bar overlay. You will see a small control panel appear, usually in the top-left corner of your screen. Click the red circle button labeled "Start recording" or press Windows key + Alt + R as a shortcut.

While recording, the Game Bar stays visible but does not interfere with what you are doing. Speak clearly if you want to record audio—your microphone will pick up everything. When you are finished, click the red square stop button or press Windows key + Alt + R again. The video saves automatically to a folder called "Captures" in your Videos directory.

If the Game Bar does not appear, make sure you are on Windows 10 or 11. Older versions of Windows do not have this tool. You can also check Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar to turn it on if it is disabled.

Recording on Mac with the built-in screenshot tool

Press Shift + Command + 5 on your Mac keyboard. A menu bar appears at the bottom of the screen with five options. Click the fourth icon (a rectangle with a dot inside) to record a selected area, or the fifth icon (a filled rectangle) to record your entire screen. Choose whether to record audio from your microphone using the "Microphone" dropdown, then click "Record."

A red recording indicator appears in the menu bar while you are recording. Click the red stop button in the menu bar or press Control + Command + Esc to stop. The video saves to your Desktop by default, though you can change this in System Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots.

If you want to record audio from your speakers instead of your microphone—for example, to capture a video playing on your screen—you will need a third-party tool. The built-in Mac recorder only captures microphone audio.

Testing your audio before you record

Audio problems are the most common mistake. Before you start recording, open a quiet program and do a 10-second test. Speak at normal volume, play a sound, or do whatever you plan to record. Stop and play back the test video to check that the audio is clear and at the right volume.

If your audio is too quiet, move your microphone closer or check that it is not muted. If it is too loud or distorted, move the microphone farther away or lower the volume in your system settings. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Volume mixer" to adjust individual app volumes. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input to choose your microphone and set its input level.

Close any programs that might make unexpected noise—email notifications, chat alerts, or background music. Mute your phone. These small steps prevent you from having to re-record.

Editing your video after recording

Both Windows and Mac have straightforward built-in editors. On Windows, open the Photos app, find your video in the "Videos" folder, and click "Edit & Create" > "Trim." Drag the handles at the start and end to remove unwanted sections. On Mac, open the video in QuickTime Player, go to Edit > Trim, and adjust the yellow handles to cut out the parts you do not want.

These tools let you remove the first few seconds while you were getting ready, or the last few seconds after you finished talking. They do not let you add text, music, or effects—for that you would need a third-party program like DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere. But for most purposes, trimming is all you need.

Save your edited video with a clear name that describes what it shows. Video files are large, so consider deleting the original if you are running low on storage space.

When to use third-party recording software

The built-in tools work well for most situations, but they have limits. If you need to record audio from your speakers on a Mac, record your webcam and screen at the same time, or add captions and effects during recording, you will need another program. OBS Studio is free and works on Windows and Mac. Camtasia costs money but is simpler to use and includes editing built in.

For quick screen recordings with no editing, stick with the built-in tools—they are faster and take up less storage space. For anything more complex, read OBS Studio and spend 15 minutes learning the basics. The learning curve is steeper, but you gain much more control over what gets recorded and how.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my video file so large?

Screen recordings are high resolution and uncompressed, so they take up a lot of space. A 10-minute video can be 500 MB to 1 GB. You can compress the file using free tools like HandBrake, or delete it after uploading to save storage space. Trimming out unused sections also reduces file size.

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

On Mac, yes—use Shift + Command + 5 and select "Record Selection," then drag to choose just the window you want. On Windows, the Game Bar records your entire screen, but you can crop the video afterward in the Photos app to focus on one window.

What if I want to record my webcam and screen at the same time?

The built-in tools do not support this. read OBS Studio (free) and add both your screen and webcam as sources. OBS is more complex but gives you full control over what appears in your recording.

Can I record a video call or Zoom meeting?

Yes, using the built-in screen recorder. Start the recording before you join the call, then record your screen as usual. The other person will see a notification that you are recording (on Zoom and most platforms). Check the terms of service for the platform you are using to make sure recording is allowed.

Where do my videos save on my computer?

On Windows, videos save to Videos > Captures. On Mac, they save to your Desktop by default. You can move them to any folder afterward. Check your Downloads folder if you cannot find them—some programs save there instead.