The fastest way to record your screen depends on your operating system

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar, which you can open by pressing Windows key + G. Mac users have Screenshot, accessed through Shift + Command + 5, which records video as well as still images. Both tools are free and require no installation. If you need more control over what you record — like choosing which microphone to use, setting a specific frame rate, or editing the video after — third-party software like OBS Studio (free, open-source) or Camtasia (paid, around $100 one-time) give you those options.

The choice between built-in and third-party tools comes down to what you're recording and why. Built-in tools work well for quick recordings of a single window or your full screen. Third-party software is worth the time investment if you record regularly, need to add captions or graphics, or want to record multiple screens at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 have a free screen recorder built in: press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar and click the record button.
  • Mac users can record screen video through Shift + Command + 5, which opens a menu to choose between recording the full screen, a window, or a portion.
  • Built-in recorders save video files directly to your computer and work without any setup, but offer limited editing or customization options.
  • OBS Studio is a free alternative that lets you record multiple sources, adjust audio levels, and choose your output quality before you start.
  • Paid software like Camtasia adds editing tools and effects but costs money and takes longer to learn if you only record occasionally.

Recording on Windows using Xbox Game Bar

Open the app or window you want to record. Press Windows key + G to bring up Xbox Game Bar — a dark overlay will appear at the top of your screen with a row of icons. Look for the circle icon (the record button) and click it, or press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording when ready.

While recording, a small timer appears on screen showing how long you've been recording. To stop, click the square stop button in the Game Bar overlay or press Windows key + Alt + R again. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. File size depends on how long you recorded and your screen resolution; a 10-minute recording at 1080p is typically 500 MB to 1 GB.

Xbox Game Bar records your screen and system audio by default. If you want to include your voice or microphone input, you'll need to use a third-party tool instead, because the built-in recorder doesn't have a microphone option.

Recording on Mac using Screenshot

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot menu. You'll see five buttons at the bottom: the first two are for still screenshots, and the third button (labeled "Record Selection") lets you choose a portion of your screen to record. The fourth button records your entire screen. Click whichever option matches what you need.

If you chose to record a selection, drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. If you chose full screen, the recording starts when ready. A floating thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen while recording. Click it to stop, or press Command + Control + Esc. The video saves to your Desktop by default as an .mov file, though you can change the save location in the Options menu before you start recording.

Mac's built-in recorder includes system audio and microphone input. You can choose which audio source to use before you press Record by clicking the Options menu and selecting from the Microphone dropdown.

Using OBS Studio for more control

OBS Studio is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from obsproject.com and install it like any other process. When you open it, you'll see a blank canvas on the left called the Scene. Click the plus button under Sources to add what you want to record — choose "Display Capture" to record your full screen, "Window Capture" to record a single window, or "Screen Region" to record just part of your screen.

Before you record, check your audio settings. Click Settings in the bottom right, then Audio. Under Mic/Auxiliary Audio, choose which microphone you want to use (or leave it as Default). Under Desktop Audio, choose your system sound source. These settings let you record both your screen and your voice at the same time, which the Windows and Mac built-in tools cannot do.

To start recording, click the Start Recording button in the bottom right. A timer shows how long you've been recording. Click Stop Recording to finish. Videos save to a folder you choose in Settings under Output. OBS gives you more options than built-in tools, but the learning curve is steeper if you've never used it before.

Choosing the right video quality and file format

Built-in recorders on Windows and Mac save in their default formats (MP4 on Windows, MOV on Mac) and at your screen's native resolution. If your monitor is 1920 × 1080 (1080p), that's what you'll record. If you want to change the resolution or file format, you need third-party software.

OBS Studio lets you set your output resolution and frame rate before you record. Frame rate is measured in frames per second (fps). Most screen recordings use 30 fps, which is smooth enough for most purposes and keeps file sizes manageable. 60 fps produces smoother video but doubles the file size. For recording tutorials or presentations, 30 fps is standard. For gaming or fast-moving content, 60 fps looks noticeably better.

Bitrate controls how much data the video uses per second. Higher bitrate means better quality but larger files. OBS's default bitrate is usually fine for screen recording. If your video looks blurry or pixelated, increase the bitrate in Settings under Output.

Recording audio alongside your screen

If you want to narrate what's happening on screen, you need to record both your microphone and your screen at the same time. Built-in Windows and Mac tools don't support this, so you'll need OBS Studio or paid software like Camtasia.

In OBS, add an Audio Input Capture source in addition to your Display Capture source. Click the plus button under Sources, choose Audio Input Capture, and select your microphone from the dropdown. Now when you record, both your screen and your voice will be captured in the same file. Test your microphone level before you start — the audio meter on the right side of OBS should show green bars when you speak, not red (which means the volume is too loud and may distort).

If you're recording a presentation or tutorial, record in a quiet room and speak clearly. Background noise like fans or traffic will be picked up by your microphone and will be hard to remove later.

Where your recordings are saved and how to find them

On Windows, Xbox Game Bar saves videos to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures. You can open this folder by pressing Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then navigating to Videos. On Mac, videos save to your Desktop by default, but you can change this in the Screenshot menu's Options before you record.

OBS saves to whatever folder you set in Settings under Output. The default is usually your Documents folder or Desktop, but you can choose any location. Create a dedicated folder for your recordings so they don't mix with other files.

Video files take up significant storage space. A one-hour recording at 1080p can be 2 to 4 GB depending on your bitrate and frame rate. If you record regularly, check your storage space and delete old recordings you no longer need, or move them to an external drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. On Windows, Xbox Game Bar records whichever window is active when you start, so click the window you want first, then press Windows key + G and record. On Mac, use Shift + Command + 5 and click the "Record Selection" button, then drag around the window. OBS lets you choose "Window Capture" as your source, which records only that window and ignores everything else on your screen.

What if I want to edit my recording after I finish?

Built-in tools save raw video files with no editing. You can import them into free editors like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut to trim, add text, or adjust audio. Paid software like Camtasia includes editing tools built in, so you can edit without switching programs. For straightforward edits like trimming the start and end, free editors work fine.

How do I record my screen and my webcam at the same time?

Built-in recorders don't support this. In OBS, add both a Display Capture source and a Video Capture Device source (your webcam). Position them on the canvas however you want — the webcam can be a small window in the corner or full-screen. When you record, both will be captured in the same video file.

Why is my recording choppy or stuttering?

This usually means your computer is struggling to record and run your applications at the same time. Close unnecessary programs before you record. Lower your frame rate from 60 fps to 30 fps, or lower your resolution. If you're using OBS, reduce your bitrate slightly. Older computers or those with less RAM may not handle high-quality recording smoothly.

Can I record a video call or streaming service?

You can record your screen while a video call or stream is playing, and the audio will be captured. However, some streaming services and video call platforms have terms of service that restrict recording. Check the platform's policy before you record. For personal use like recording a family video call, most platforms allow it. For commercial use or sharing, you may need permission from everyone in the call.