Screen recording captures everything on your monitor — what you see, what you click, and what you type — and saves it as a video file you can watch, edit, or share later.

Most computers come with a built-in screen recorder you do not have to read or pay for. On Windows, it is called Xbox Game Bar. On Mac, it is built into the keyboard shortcut Command-Shift-5. Both let you record your whole screen or just a window, and both save the video to your computer automatically.

If you want more control — like the ability to add a cursor highlight, record your webcam at the same time, or edit the video before saving — you can use a free third-party program like OBS Studio or Camtasia. This guide covers the built-in tools first, then shows you how to use OBS Studio if you need more features.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows computers have a free screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that you open with Windows key + G and start recording with Windows key + Alt + R.
  • Mac computers use Command-Shift-5 to open the built-in screen recording tool, which lets you choose whether to record the whole screen or just part of it.
  • Both built-in tools save your video automatically to your computer's default video folder without requiring you to set up anything first.
  • If you need features like a visible cursor, webcam overlay, or the ability to pause and resume, OBS Studio is a free alternative that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Before you record, close any windows with passwords, personal information, or things you do not want on camera.

Recording on Windows with Xbox Game Bar

Open Xbox Game Bar by pressing the Windows key + G at the same time. A black bar will appear at the top of your screen with a few buttons. If nothing happens, your computer may have an older version of Windows — scroll down to the alternative method below.

Look for the red circle button labeled "Start recording" or press Windows key + Alt + R to begin. The recording will capture everything on your screen. You will see a small timer in the corner showing how long you have been recording. To stop, press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the stop button in the Game Bar.

Your video will save automatically to a folder called Videos on your computer. The file will be named something like "2024-01-15 14-32-45.mp4" with the date and time you recorded. You can open it with any video player or move it to another folder.

If Xbox Game Bar does not open, your Windows version may be too old. Instead, use the Steps Recorder: press Windows key + R, type "psr.exe", and click OK. This tool records your screen and saves a file showing each click you made, though it is simpler and slower than Game Bar.

Recording on Mac with Built-In Tools

Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen with five buttons. The first three let you take screenshots; the fourth button (a filled rectangle with a circle inside) records your whole screen, and the fifth records just part of your screen.

Click the button for the type of recording you want. If you choose to record part of your screen, drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture. Then click the "Record" button that appears. A red dot will show in the menu bar at the top of your screen while you are recording.

To stop recording, click the red dot in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Escape. A thumbnail will appear in the corner of your screen. Click it to preview your video, or wait a few seconds and it will save automatically to your Desktop. The file will be named something like "Screen Recording 2024-01-15 at 2.32.45 PM.mov".

Using OBS Studio for More Control

OBS Studio is a free program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It gives you more options than the built-in tools: you can record your webcam in a corner of the screen, highlight your cursor so viewers can see where you are clicking, pause and resume without stopping the whole recording, and add a microphone to narrate what you are doing.

read OBS Studio from obsproject.com. Install it like any other program. When you open it, you will see a window with several sections. On the left side under "Sources", click the plus sign and choose "Display Capture" to record your screen. You can add more sources — like "Audio Input Capture" for your microphone or "Video Capture Device" for your webcam — by clicking the plus sign again.

Once you have added the sources you want, click the "Start Recording" button in the bottom right. OBS will begin recording to a file on your computer. You will see a timer showing how long you have been recording. Click "Stop Recording" when you are done. The video will save to a folder you can choose in OBS's settings — by default it goes to a folder called Videos.

OBS has a learning curve because it has many options. If you only need to record your screen with your voice, the built-in Windows or Mac tools are faster to use. Use OBS if you want to add a webcam, highlight your cursor, or record multiple things at once.

What to Do Before You Hit Record

Close any browser tabs, email windows, or documents that show passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or anything else you do not want on camera. Screen recordings capture everything, including notifications that pop up while you are recording.

Mute notifications on your phone if it is near your computer, because sounds will be picked up by your microphone if you are recording audio. If you are recording your screen to show someone how to do something, have the window or program you want to demonstrate already open and ready to go — do not spend the first 30 seconds of your recording searching for it.

Test your microphone if you plan to narrate. On Windows, open Sound settings and look for "Input" to check your microphone level. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input. Speak at normal volume and watch the level bar move — if it does not move, your microphone is not working or is muted.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The video is choppy or lags. This usually means your computer is running too many programs at once. Close unnecessary programs before you record, especially web browsers with many tabs open. If you are using OBS, lower the recording quality in Settings > Output > Recording Quality.

The audio is missing or very quiet. Make sure you selected an audio source in OBS, or that your microphone is not muted. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and check that your microphone is set as the input device. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and choose your microphone.

The file is huge and takes forever to upload. Video files are large by nature, but you can make them smaller by recording at a lower resolution or frame rate. In OBS, go to Settings > Video and lower the Base Canvas Resolution. You can also compress the file after recording using free tools like HandBrake, though this takes time.

I cannot find where my video saved. On Windows, open File Explorer and go to Videos. On Mac, check your Desktop first — that is where the built-in tool saves by default. If you used OBS, check the folder you chose in OBS Settings > Output > Recording Path.

Editing Your Recording After You Save It

Once your video is saved, you can trim it, add text, or cut out mistakes using free editing software. Windows comes with an app called Photos that can trim videos — open the video in Photos, click "Edit & Create", and choose "Trim". On Mac, you can use iMovie, which is free and comes with most Macs.

If you want more control, DaVinci Resolve is a free video editor that works on Windows and Mac. It lets you cut sections out, add titles, adjust colors, and export in different formats. The learning curve is steeper than Photos or iMovie, but it is powerful and costs nothing.

For straightforward edits — like cutting the first and last few seconds — the built-in tools are usually enough. Save your edited version with a new name so you still have the original file.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. On Mac, press Command-Shift-5 and click the fifth button to select a specific area. On Windows with Game Bar, the recording captures your whole screen, but you can crop it in video editing software afterward. In OBS, you can add "Window Capture" as a source instead of "Display Capture" to record only one window.

Does screen recording slow down my computer?

A little. Recording uses some of your computer's processing power, so you may notice programs run slightly slower while recording. Close unnecessary programs before you start. If your computer is very old or has limited memory, the recording may be choppy.

What format does the video save in?

Windows Game Bar saves as MP4. Mac saves as MOV. Both formats work on most computers and phones. OBS lets you choose the format in Settings > Output > Recording Format — MP4 is the most compatible option.

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

The built-in Windows and Mac tools cannot do this. You need OBS Studio or another third-party program. In OBS, add both "Display Capture" and "Video Capture Device" as sources, position them where you want, and record.

Is it legal to record someone else's screen or video call?

Laws vary by location and situation. In many places, you need permission from everyone in a video call before you record it. Check your local laws and the terms of service of the program you are using. When in doubt, ask permission first.