The fastest way to record video on Windows or Mac

Both Windows and Mac include built-in recording tools that work without installing anything. On Windows 10 and later, press Windows key + G to open Game Bar, which records your screen, webcam, or both. On Mac, press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu, then choose "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion." Both tools save the video to your computer automatically — Windows saves to Videos > Captures, and Mac saves to your Desktop by default.

If you want to record just your webcam without the screen, Windows includes the Camera app (search for it in the Start menu), and Mac includes Photo Booth (in Applications > Utilities). These are simpler but less flexible than the full screen recording tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Game Bar (Windows key + G) and Mac's built-in tool (Shift + Command + 5) record screen, webcam, or both without extra software.
  • Game Bar saves videos to your Videos folder; Mac saves to Desktop by default, but you can change the location before recording.
  • If you need to edit the video, trim it, or add effects, you will need a separate video editor — the built-in tools record only.
  • Third-party tools like OBS Studio (free) or Camtasia (paid) give you more control over quality, file size, and what gets recorded.

Recording your screen on Windows

Open Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G. A menu bar appears at the top of your screen. Click the red circle (record button) or press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording. A timer shows how long you have been recording. To stop, click the red square or press the same key combination again.

Game Bar records at 1080p by default and saves as an MP4 file. If you want to change the quality or file location before you record, open Settings, go to Gaming > Captures, and adjust the settings there. You can also choose whether to record audio from your microphone, system sound, or both.

Recording your screen on Mac

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the recording menu. You will see options at the bottom: "Capture Entire Screen" or "Capture Selected Portion." Choose one, then click "Record" (the red button). A timer appears in the menu bar. To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press Control + Command + Esc.

Mac saves the video to your Desktop as an MOV file. Before you record, you can click "Options" in the menu to change the save location to Documents, Downloads, or another folder. You can also choose whether to include mouse clicks and microphone audio in the recording.

Recording just your webcam

On Windows, open the Camera app from the Start menu, then click the video camera icon to switch to video mode. Press the red record button to start, and press it again to stop. Videos save to your Camera Roll folder.

On Mac, open Photo Booth (Applications > Utilities > Photo Booth), click the video camera icon at the bottom, then click the red record button. Press it again to stop. Videos save to your Photo Booth library, which you can access from the File menu.

When to use third-party recording software

The built-in tools work for basic recording, but they have limits. They do not let you edit the video, adjust the frame rate, or compress the file size before saving. If you need those features, read OBS Studio (free, Windows and Mac) or Camtasia (paid, Windows and Mac).

OBS Studio is more complex but gives you full control over what gets recorded, the quality, and the file format. Camtasia is simpler and includes basic editing tools in the same program. Both are better choices if you plan to record regularly or need to share videos online.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If Game Bar does not open on Windows, make sure you are running Windows 10 or later. If you are using an older version, read OBS Studio instead. If the audio is not recording, check that your microphone is plugged in and set as the default device in Sound Settings.

On Mac, if the recording is choppy or slow, close other programs before you record. If you cannot find your video after recording, check your Desktop and Downloads folder — Mac defaults to Desktop but may have saved it elsewhere if you changed the location. If the file is too large to share, you will need to compress it with a video editor or converter.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Mac, yes — use Shift + Command + 5 and choose "Record Selected Portion," then drag to select just the window you want. On Windows, Game Bar records the whole screen, but OBS Studio lets you select a single window or portion of the screen.

What file format does the video save in?

Windows Game Bar saves as MP4. Mac saves as MOV. Both formats play on most devices and video editors. If you need a different format, you will have to convert the file with a video converter or editor.

How much storage space does a recorded video take up?

A one-hour video at 1080p takes roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes of space, depending on the frame rate and compression. Shorter videos or lower resolutions use less space. Check your available storage before recording long sessions.

Can I record audio from my microphone and the screen at the same time?

Yes. On Windows, Game Bar lets you choose microphone, system audio, or both in the Captures settings. On Mac, the recording menu has an Options button where you can turn microphone audio on or off.

What if I want to edit the video after recording?

Windows includes Photos app (search for it in the Start menu), which has basic trimming and editing. Mac includes iMovie (Applications > iMovie). Both are free and straightforward. For more control, use DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere (paid).