The fastest way depends on what you're using

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that works on any program — you don't need to own a game. Mac has Screenshot, which records video as well as still images. If you're on an older Windows version or need more control, free programs like OBS Studio and ScreenFlow give you options to record just one window, add your voice, or capture at different quality levels.

The method you pick depends on what you're recording and whether you need to edit it afterward. A quick tutorial or demonstration usually needs only the built-in tool. A presentation you'll share widely, or a video where you want to add captions or trim sections, benefits from a dedicated program that saves your file in a format you can edit later.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 have a free built-in recorder called Xbox Game Bar that you open with Windows key + G and works on any program.
  • Mac users can open Screenshot from Spotlight search, click Record, and save the video to their desktop or clipboard.
  • OBS Studio is a free, open-source program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and lets you choose which window to record and add a microphone.
  • Most built-in recorders save files in MP4 format, which plays on any device and can be edited in free programs like DaVinci Resolve.
  • Before you record, close programs you don't want visible, mute notifications, and test your microphone if you plan to add voice.

Recording on Windows 10 or 11 with Xbox Game Bar

Open the program or window you want to record. Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar — a black panel will appear at the top of your screen. Click the red circle icon labeled "Start recording" or press Windows key + Alt + R. The timer starts when ready.

While recording, you can switch between windows and the recorder will follow. Your microphone is on by default if you have one connected. When you're done, press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the stop button on the Game Bar panel. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures, as an MP4 file.

If Game Bar doesn't appear, your graphics driver may need updating. Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings and check for driver updates. If you're on Windows 10 Home edition, Game Bar is included; if you're on Pro or Enterprise, it's available through the Microsoft Store.

Recording on Mac with the built-in Screenshot tool

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app. You'll see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with five icons. Click the second icon from the right (the one that looks like a rectangle with a dot inside) to record the entire screen, or the rightmost icon to record just a selected area.

Click "Record" to start. A red countdown appears in the corner. When you're finished, press the spacebar or click the stop button in the menu bar at the top. 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. The video is saved as an MOV file, which you can play on any Mac or convert to MP4 using free tools like HandBrake.

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 program. When you open it, you'll see a blank canvas on the left side labeled "Sources." Click the plus sign under Sources and select "Window Capture" to record just one program window, or "Screen Capture" to record your entire monitor.

Before you hit the red "Start Recording" button, check two things: make sure your microphone is selected in the Audio Mixer section at the bottom (if you want to record your voice), and set your output folder in Settings > Output > Recording. Click "Start Recording" and OBS will save a video file to that folder. When you're done, click "Stop Recording."

OBS saves in MKV format by default, which is lossless but large. If you want smaller files, go to Settings > Output > Recording and change the container to MP4. The trade-off is that MP4 is slightly more compressed, but the difference is usually invisible.

What happens to your file after you record

All three methods save your video as a file on your computer — it doesn't upload anywhere unless you choose to. Windows Game Bar saves to Videos > Captures. Mac Screenshot saves to your desktop by default, but you can change that in the Screenshot app settings. OBS saves wherever you told it to in the settings.

You can play the file in any media player, email it, upload it to YouTube or another platform, or open it in a video editor. If you want to trim the beginning or end, add text, or cut out mistakes, free programs like DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac) and Shotcut (all platforms) can do that without watermarks.

Preparing before you record

Close any browser tabs, email windows, or programs you don't want visible in the recording. Turn off notifications — on Windows, press Windows key + A and click "Focus information" to silence alerts. On Mac, click the notification icon in the top right and toggle "Do Not Disturb." If you're recording your voice, test your microphone first by opening your system sound settings and speaking to make sure the input level moves.

If you're recording a web page or document, zoom in so text is readable on smaller screens. Slow down your mouse movements slightly — fast clicking and dragging can be hard to follow in a video. If you make a mistake, keep going; it's usually faster to re-record the whole thing than to edit out one error.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Xbox Game Bar won't open, check that you're on Windows 10 or 11 (it doesn't work on Windows 7 or 8). If the recording is silent, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure the app you're using has permission to access your microphone. If the video is choppy or stuttering, close other programs to free up memory, or lower your screen resolution temporarily.

If OBS is recording a black screen, the program you're trying to capture may have copy protection. Try "Screen Capture" instead of "Window Capture," or record the window in a different position on your monitor. If the file won't play after recording, try opening it in VLC media player (free, all platforms) — it can play almost any format.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. In Xbox Game Bar, the recording captures whatever is in focus, so click the window you want before pressing Windows key + G. In OBS Studio, select "Window Capture" instead of "Screen Capture" and choose the program from the dropdown. On Mac, use the Screenshot tool and click the icon for "Selected window" instead of "Entire screen."

How do I add my voice to the recording?

Make sure your microphone is plugged in and turned on. In Xbox Game Bar and Mac Screenshot, the microphone is on by default — you'll see it in the settings. In OBS Studio, check the Audio Mixer section at the bottom and make sure your microphone is selected and the volume slider is not muted. Test it before you start recording.

What if my video file is too large to email?

You can compress it using free tools like HandBrake or Shotcut. Open the video, lower the bitrate (which reduces quality slightly but shrinks file size), and export. Alternatively, upload it to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox and share the link instead of sending the file itself.

Can I record a video call or Zoom meeting?

Yes, but check the terms of service for the platform you're using. Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams all allow recording if you're the host or have permission. Use the built-in record button in the app itself rather than screen recording — the quality is better and the audio syncs properly. If you use screen recording instead, make sure all participants know they're being recorded.

Is there a limit to how long I can record?

No. Your only limit is disk space on your computer. A one-hour video at standard quality takes roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes. Check how much free space you have before you start a long recording — right-click your drive and select Properties (Windows) or click the drive and press Command + I (Mac).