The fastest way to record your screen or camera

Windows and Mac both come with built-in recording tools you can use without installing anything. On Windows 10 and 11, the Xbox Game Bar records your screen or camera in seconds. On Mac, QuickTime Player does the same. Both are free and already on your machine — you just need to know where to find them and which button to press.

If you want to record yourself talking while showing your screen, or if you need more control over video quality and file size, you can use a free program like OBS Studio or Camtasia. These give you more options but take a few minutes to set up the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 include Xbox Game Bar, which records your screen or webcam with one keyboard shortcut (Windows key + G).
  • Mac users can open QuickTime Player from Applications, select File > New Screen Recording, and click the red record button.
  • Both built-in tools save video files to your computer automatically — Windows saves to Videos, Mac saves to Desktop by default.
  • If you need to record both your screen and your voice at the same time, or adjust video quality, free programs like OBS Studio offer more control.

Recording on Windows with Xbox Game Bar

Press Windows key + G on your keyboard. A small menu will appear in the corner of your screen. Look for a circle with a dot in the middle — that is the record button. Click it, and your screen recording starts when ready.

While recording, you will see a timer showing how long you have been recording. To stop, click the same circle button again or press Windows key + G and click the stop button. Your video saves automatically to a folder called Captures inside your Videos folder. You can open it in Windows File Explorer or any video player.

If you want to record only your webcam instead of your screen, open Xbox Game Bar, look for the camera icon, and click it. The same record button works for camera footage.

Recording on Mac with QuickTime Player

Open QuickTime Player — you can find it by clicking the Spotlight search icon (magnifying glass) in the top right, typing "QuickTime", and pressing Enter. Once it opens, click File in the menu bar at the top, then select New Screen Recording.

A small window will appear with a red record button. Click it to start. Your entire screen will be recorded. To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen, or press Control + Command + Escape. A preview window opens — click Save to save your video. By default, it saves to your Desktop, but you can choose a different folder.

To record your webcam instead, select File > New Movie Recording instead. The red button works the same way.

Using OBS Studio for more control

If the built-in tools do not give you what you need — for example, if you want to record your screen and your voice at the same time, or if you want to adjust video quality — read OBS Studio for free from obsproject.com. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

When you first open OBS, you will see a blank workspace. On the left side, under Sources, click the + button and select Display Capture to record your screen, or Video Capture Device to record your webcam. A preview appears in the center. In the bottom right, click the red Start Recording button. Click it again to stop. Your video saves to a folder you choose when you first set up OBS.

OBS has more options than you will need at first — resolution, frame rate, audio input — but the defaults work fine for most people. If you get stuck, the OBS website has step-by-step guides for each operating system.

Where your videos are saved and how to find them

On Windows with Xbox Game Bar, look in your Videos folder. Open File Explorer, click Videos on the left side, then open the Captures folder. Your recording will be there as an MP4 file.

On Mac with QuickTime, your video saves to your Desktop by default, but you can choose a different location when you click Save. The file will be in MOV format, which plays in any video player.

With OBS Studio, you choose where videos save when you first set it up. Look in the folder you selected — it will be an MP4 file. If you forgot where you chose, open OBS, click File > Settings > Output, and look at the path next to Recording Path.

Choosing between built-in tools and OBS Studio

Use Xbox Game Bar or QuickTime if you are recording your screen only, or your webcam only, and you do not need to adjust video quality. They are the fastest option because they are already on your computer and require no setup.

Use OBS Studio if you need to record your screen and your microphone at the same time, if you want to record multiple windows or just one window instead of your whole screen, or if you want to change video resolution or frame rate. OBS takes five minutes to set up the first time, but it gives you much more control.

Both produce video files that play in any video player and can be uploaded to YouTube, email, or shared with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Xbox Game Bar and QuickTime record your entire screen. OBS Studio lets you select a single window or a specific area. Open OBS, click the + under Sources, select Window Capture, and choose which window to record.

How do I record my voice while recording my screen?

Xbox Game Bar and QuickTime do not record audio by default. OBS Studio does — when you add a Display Capture source, your microphone audio records automatically. Check your audio input in OBS Settings > Audio to make sure the right microphone is selected.

What video format do these tools save in?

Xbox Game Bar saves as MP4. QuickTime saves as MOV. OBS Studio saves as MP4 by default. All three formats play in any video player and can be uploaded to YouTube or other websites.

Can I edit the video after I record it?

Yes. Windows includes a free video editor called Photos — right-click your MP4 file and select Open With > Photos, then click Edit. Mac includes iMovie, which you can find in Applications. Both let you trim, add text, and rearrange clips.

Why is my recording choppy or blurry?

Close other programs before recording — they use processing power that your computer needs for smooth video. If you are using OBS, lower the resolution or frame rate in Settings > Output. For most purposes, 1280 × 720 resolution at 30 frames per second is enough.