The fastest way to record your screen or webcam

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 Game Bar, which records your screen, webcam, or both. On Mac, press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu. Both tools save the video to your computer automatically and let you choose what to record before you start.

If you want to record just your webcam without the screen, or if you need more control over quality and file size, you'll need a dedicated recording program. The most common free options are OBS Studio (works on Windows, Mac, and Linux), Camtasia (paid but includes editing), and ScreenFlow on Mac. Each has a different setup process, but the basic steps are the same: choose what to record, set your audio source, start recording, and stop when you're done.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Game Bar (Windows key + G) and Mac's built-in tool (Shift + Command + 5) record your screen or webcam with no setup required.
  • Built-in tools save videos to your computer automatically, but they have fewer options for quality and file format than third-party programs.
  • OBS Studio is free, works on all operating systems, and lets you record your screen, webcam, or both with custom quality settings.
  • Before you record, test your audio by speaking into your microphone and checking the volume level in your recording software.
  • Most recording programs create large video files; check your available storage space before you start a long recording.

Recording your screen on Windows using Game Bar

Open the program or window you want to record. Press Windows key + G to launch Game Bar. A control panel will appear in the top-left corner of your screen with a red circle (record button), a microphone icon, and a settings gear. Click the microphone icon to turn your audio on or off—if you want to record only what's on screen without your voice, leave it off. If you want to narrate, make sure it's on and your microphone is selected.

Click the red circle to start recording. The timer will show how long you've been recording. When you're done, click the red square button to stop. Windows saves the video automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. The file will be named with the date and time you recorded it. If Game Bar doesn't appear, your graphics card may not support it—in that case, use OBS Studio instead.

Recording your screen on Mac using the built-in tool

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen with five icons. Click the second icon from the right (it looks like a rectangle with a dot) to record your entire screen, or the rightmost icon to record a selected area. A small menu will appear below the toolbar with options to choose your microphone and set where to save the file.

Click the microphone dropdown to select your audio source—choose your built-in microphone if you want to narrate, or "None" if you want only screen audio. Click "Options" to choose where the video saves (Desktop, Documents, or another folder). When you're ready, click the record button. A countdown will appear, then recording starts. To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen, or press Control + Command + Esc.

Using OBS Studio for more control

read OBS Studio from obsproject.com and install it. Open the program. On the left side under "Sources," click the plus sign and select "Display Capture" to record your screen, or "Video Capture Device" to record your webcam. If you select Display Capture, choose which monitor you want to record. If you select Video Capture Device, choose your webcam from the dropdown.

In the bottom-left corner under "Audio," check that your microphone is listed. If it's not, click the plus sign and add it. Look at the audio levels at the bottom of the window—they should move when you speak. In the bottom-right corner, click "Start Recording." OBS will save the video to a folder on your computer (usually Documents/OBS by default). When you're done, click "Stop Recording." The video file will be ready to use when ready.

Choosing the right audio source and testing it first

Before you record anything important, test your audio. Open your recording program and speak into your microphone at normal volume. Watch the audio level meter—it should move when you talk and drop to near zero when you're silent. If the levels are too high and the meter goes into the red, your audio will sound distorted. If the levels are too low, people won't hear you clearly.

In most recording programs, you can adjust microphone volume in the settings. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Volume mixer" to adjust microphone levels. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and drag the input volume slider. In OBS, right-click your microphone in the Audio section and select "Audio Properties" to adjust the volume there. Make a short test recording, play it back, and listen for clarity before you record anything you plan to share.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is not checking available storage space before recording. A 10-minute video can be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on your screen resolution and the program you use. Before you start, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and check how much free space you have. If you're recording for more than 30 minutes, make sure you have at least 5 GB free.

Another frequent problem is recording with the wrong audio source. If you're using a headset, make sure your recording program is set to record from that headset, not your built-in microphone. If you're recording a video call, check whether the program records system audio (what you hear) or only your microphone. Some programs require you to change a setting to record system audio—in OBS, this is under Audio Input Capture in the Sources menu.

A third mistake is forgetting to close notifications and messages before you start. On Windows, press Windows key + A to open the notification panel and clear any alerts. On Mac, close any chat or email windows. If you're recording your screen to show someone how to do something, a notification popping up halfway through will interrupt your recording and force you to start over.

Where your videos are saved and how to find them

Windows Game Bar saves videos to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures. Open File Explorer, click "Videos" in the left sidebar, then double-click the "Captures" folder. Mac's built-in tool saves to wherever you chose in the Options menu—usually the Desktop or Documents folder. OBS Studio saves to Documents\OBS\recordings by default, but you can change this in Settings > Output > Recording.

Once you find your video file, you can play it with any video player on your computer. If you want to edit it, you can use free programs like DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac), iMovie (Mac only), or Windows Photos (Windows only). These programs let you trim the beginning and end, add text, or cut out mistakes. If you just want to share the video as-is, you can upload it directly to YouTube, email, or any other platform that accepts video files.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only with third-party programs like OBS Studio. Windows Game Bar and Mac's built-in tool can record one or the other, not both simultaneously. In OBS, add both a Display Capture source and a Video Capture Device source, position them where you want on the canvas, and record normally. The webcam will appear as a small window overlaid on your screen recording.

Why is my recording choppy or stuttering?

Your computer is running out of processing power. Close other programs before you record, especially web browsers with many tabs open. Lower your screen resolution or recording quality in your program's settings. If you're recording at 4K resolution, try 1080p instead. Restart your computer before recording something important—this clears temporary files and gives your system more resources.

How do I record audio from a video call or streaming service?

On Windows, use OBS Studio and add an Audio Input Capture source set to your microphone, plus a second source for system audio (this captures what you hear through your speakers). On Mac, you may need to install a virtual audio cable like Soundflower or use a paid program like Camtasia. Check your video call or streaming service's terms of service first—some prohibit recording without permission from all participants.

What file format will my video be in?

Windows Game Bar saves as MP4. Mac's built-in tool saves as MOV. OBS Studio saves as MP4 by default, but you can change this in Settings > Output > Recording > Recording Format. MP4 and MOV work on nearly all devices and video players. If you need a different format, you can convert your video using free programs like HandBrake or VLC Media Player.

Can I record in 4K resolution?

Yes, but your computer needs a fast processor and plenty of storage space. A 10-minute 4K video can be 5 GB or larger. In OBS Studio, go to Settings > Video and change the Base Resolution to your monitor's native resolution (usually 3840x2160 for 4K). On Windows Game Bar and Mac, you're limited to your screen's native resolution. If your computer slows down during 4K recording, lower the resolution to 1080p instead.