Built-in tools come first, and they work without installing anything

Windows 10 and later include Xbox Game Bar, a screen recording tool built into the operating system. Press Windows key + G to open it, then click the red record button or press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording. The video saves to your Videos folder in a file called "Captures". On Mac, press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu, choose "Record Selection" or "Record Entire Screen", then click Record. The file saves to your desktop by default.

These built-in tools capture your screen, mouse movement, and system audio without slowing down most computers. They work for presentations, tutorials, gameplay, or any on-screen activity. Neither requires a subscription or account. The trade-off is limited editing — you get the raw video file and nothing more.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and later have Xbox Game Bar built in; press Windows key + G, then click the red record button to start.
  • Mac users press Shift + Command + 5 to access the recording menu and choose between recording the entire screen or a selection.
  • Both built-in tools save video files directly to your computer with no software installation needed.
  • Third-party software like OBS Studio and Camtasia offer more control over video quality, audio sources, and editing, but require read and setup.
  • Check your available storage space before recording long sessions, as video files consume several hundred megabytes per minute.

How to use Xbox Game Bar on Windows

Open the process or window you want to record. Press Windows key + G to bring up the Game Bar overlay — a small menu appears in the top-left corner of your screen. Look for the red circle with a dot inside it; this is the record button. Click it or press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording. A timer appears on screen showing how long you have been recording.

While recording, you can minimize the Game Bar overlay by clicking elsewhere on screen or pressing Windows key + G again. The recording continues in the background. To stop, press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the stop button in the Game Bar. The video file saves automatically to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures. You can then open it in any video player or move it to another folder.

Game Bar captures your system audio by default. If you want to record without sound, or if you need to record audio from a microphone instead, you will need to adjust Windows sound settings before you start recording, or use a third-party tool instead.

How to record on Mac using built-in tools

Press Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with five options: the first two are for screenshots, and the last three are for recording. Click "Record Entire Screen" to capture everything, or "Record Selection" to choose a specific area. A floating toolbar appears with a red record button and a dropdown menu showing which microphone will capture audio.

Click the red record button to start. A countdown appears, then recording begins. Move your mouse and click normally — everything you do is captured. To stop recording, click the stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen, or press Control + Command + Esc. A thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen; click it to preview the video, or let it disappear and the file will save to your desktop automatically.

Third-party software for more control

OBS Studio is free and open-source software that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It lets you choose which window or display to record, add multiple audio sources, set video quality and file format, and even stream live to platforms like Twitch or YouTube. The learning curve is steeper than built-in tools, but the control is much greater. read it from obsproject.com, install it, create a new scene, add a display or window source, and click Start Recording.

Camtasia is a paid tool ($99.99 one-time purchase or subscription) that includes both recording and editing in one process. You can record your screen, then when ready trim clips, add captions, highlight the cursor, or insert animations without opening a separate program. It works on Windows and Mac. A free trial is available on the Camtasia website.

ScreenFlow (Mac only, $29.99) records your screen and audio, then opens a built-in editor where you can cut sections, add annotations, or export at different quality levels. Snagit ($49.99) is another paid option for both Windows and Mac that focuses on quick captures and basic editing.

What to check before you record

Video files are large. A one-minute recording at standard quality uses roughly 50 to 150 megabytes of storage, depending on your screen resolution and frame rate. A 30-minute tutorial can consume 1.5 to 4.5 gigabytes. Check your available storage space before starting a long session. On Windows, right-click your C: drive and select Properties. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then click Storage.

Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs before recording. This reduces the chance of notifications popping up mid-recording and frees up memory so the recording stays smooth. If you are recording audio from a microphone, test it first — speak into it and check that the input level is visible in your recording software. Built-in microphones often pick up keyboard clicks and fan noise; a USB headset or external microphone produces cleaner audio.

Decide where you want the file to save. Built-in tools default to your Videos or Desktop folder. If you plan to record multiple sessions, create a dedicated folder first so files do not scatter across your computer. Third-party software usually lets you choose the save location in settings before you record.

Choosing a file format and quality level

Built-in tools save in MP4 format, which plays on most devices and video players. Third-party software often gives you a choice: MP4 is the most compatible, MOV works well on Mac, and AVI or WebM are less common but sometimes preferred for specific uses. For most purposes, MP4 is the safest choice.

Video quality is measured in resolution (1920×1080 is standard, 2560×1440 is higher) and frame rate (30 frames per second is standard, 60 fps is smoother but creates larger files). Built-in tools usually record at your screen's native resolution and 30 fps. If you are recording a presentation or tutorial, 30 fps and 1920×1080 are sufficient. If you are recording fast-moving gameplay or animation, 60 fps looks smoother but doubles file size.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows, Xbox Game Bar records your entire screen by default. To record one window only, use OBS Studio instead: add a Window Capture source, select the specific window, and record. On Mac, press Shift + Command + 5 and choose "Record Selection", then drag to select just the window you want.

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

Built-in tools capture system audio only. To add microphone input on Windows, use OBS Studio and add both a Display Capture source and a Microphone source. On Mac, use Shift + Command + 5, click Options, and choose your microphone from the dropdown before you record. Third-party software like Camtasia handles this automatically.

What if my video file is too large to share?

Compress it using free software like HandBrake (handbrake.fr) or VLC Media Player. These tools reduce file size by lowering resolution or frame rate. Alternatively, upload to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox and share a link instead of emailing the file.

Can I edit my recording after I save it?

Built-in tools save raw video with no editing. To edit, open the file in free software like DaVinci Resolve, OpenShot, or Shotcut. Paid tools like Camtasia and ScreenFlow include editing built in. Most video editors let you trim clips, add text, adjust volume, and export in different formats.

Why is my recording choppy or laggy?

Close other applications and browser tabs to free up memory. Lower your screen resolution or frame rate in your recording software settings. If you are recording a game, lower the game's graphics settings. Check that your hard drive has at least 10 percent free space — a full drive slows down recording.