What You Need to Record Your Screen

You can record your computer screen using built-in tools that come with Windows or macOS, or third-party software if you need more control. Windows 10 and later include the Xbox Game Bar, which records video and audio without installing anything extra. macOS includes a screen recording feature in the Screenshot app. If the built-in tools don't meet your needs—for example, if you want to edit the video afterward or record multiple monitors at once—free and paid software like OBS Studio, Camtasia, or ScreenFlow offer more options.

Before you start, decide what you're recording: just your screen, a specific window, or your screen plus your webcam and microphone. Know where you want to save the file and how much storage space you have available. A one-hour screen recording typically takes 500 MB to 2 GB of disk space, depending on your screen resolution and frame rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and later have a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that requires no installation or setup.
  • macOS users can record their screen through the Screenshot app, accessed by pressing Shift + Command + 5.
  • OBS Studio is a free, open-source option that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux and gives you control over resolution, frame rate, and audio sources.
  • Screen recordings use significant storage space—plan for 500 MB to 2 GB per hour depending on resolution and frame rate.
  • Test your audio input before recording to make sure your microphone or system sound is being captured at the right level.

Recording on Windows Using Xbox Game Bar

On Windows 10 or later, press Windows key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. A menu will appear in the top-left corner of your screen. Click the Record button (the circle icon), or press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording when ready. The bar will show a timer so you know how long you've been recording.

While recording, you can minimize the Game Bar and use your computer normally. When you're done, press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the stop button in the Game Bar. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. By default, Game Bar records your entire screen at 60 frames per second. If you want to adjust settings—like resolution or frame rate—open the Game Bar, click the Settings icon (gear), and go to Captures.

Recording on macOS Using the Screenshot App

On macOS, press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app. You'll see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with options to capture the entire screen, a window, or a portion. Click the Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion button depending on what you need. A red dot will appear in the menu bar to show recording is active.

Click anywhere on your screen to start recording, or click the Start Recording button in the toolbar. When you're finished, click the Stop button in the menu bar (it looks like a filled circle). A thumbnail will appear in the corner of your screen—click it to preview the video, or let it disappear and the file will save to your Desktop by default. You can change where files save by clicking Options in the Screenshot toolbar before you record.

Using OBS Studio for More Control

OBS Studio is free software that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. read it from obsproject.com and install it like any other program. When you open OBS, you'll see a blank workspace. In the Sources panel (bottom left), click the + button and select Display Capture to record your entire screen, or Window Capture to record just one window.

Before you record, check your audio settings. In the Audio Mixer section, you'll see sliders for different audio sources—your microphone, system audio, or both. Adjust the levels so they're not too loud or too quiet. Click the red Start Recording button to begin. OBS saves recordings to a folder you choose in Settings under Output. When you're done, click Stop Recording. OBS gives you control over resolution, frame rate, and file format, which is useful if you plan to edit the video later or need a specific format for sharing.

Choosing Resolution and Frame Rate

Resolution is how sharp your video looks—higher resolution means larger file sizes. Common choices are 1080p (1920 × 1080 pixels) for clear, detailed video, or 720p (1280 × 720 pixels) for smaller files. If you're recording a tutorial where people need to read text on screen, 1080p is better. If you're recording a presentation or demo, 720p is usually fine.

Frame rate is how many still images per second the video contains. 30 frames per second (fps) is standard and works well for most screen recordings. 60 fps makes motion smoother but creates larger files. For screen recordings, 30 fps is usually sufficient unless you're recording fast-moving content like gaming or animation. Built-in tools like Game Bar and macOS Screenshot use their defaults, which are fine for most purposes. If you use OBS Studio, you can set both resolution and frame rate in Settings under Output.

Recording Audio with Your Screen

If you want to narrate while recording, you'll need to capture your microphone. On Windows Game Bar, audio input is automatic—it records your microphone if it's plugged in and enabled. On macOS Screenshot, audio is not recorded by default. To add audio on macOS, you'll need to use a third-party tool like OBS Studio or QuickTime Player (open QuickTime, go to File > New Screen Recording, and click the dropdown arrow next to the record button to choose your microphone).

Before you record, test your microphone at normal speaking volume. Speak into it and listen to the playback to make sure the level is clear without being distorted. If you're using OBS Studio, you can see the audio levels in real time in the Audio Mixer—aim for the green zone, not the red. If you're recording system audio (like music or video playing on your computer), make sure your recording software is set to capture it. On Windows, Game Bar captures system audio automatically. On macOS, you'll need OBS Studio or a similar tool.

Where Your Recording Saves and How to Find It

On Windows, Game Bar saves recordings to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures. You can also find them by opening File Explorer, clicking Videos, then opening the Captures folder. On macOS, Screenshot saves to your Desktop by default, but you can change this by clicking Options in the Screenshot toolbar and choosing a different location.

If you use OBS Studio, the location depends on what you set in Settings. Go to Settings > Output, and you'll see the path under Recording Path. You can click Browse to change it to any folder you want. Once you know where your file is saved, you can open it with any video player on your computer, or move it to another folder, email it, or upload it to a website. Video files are large, so if you're sending it to someone, consider uploading it to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox instead of emailing it directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. On macOS, use Screenshot and select Record Selected Portion, then draw a box around the window you want. On Windows Game Bar, you can't select a single window, but OBS Studio lets you choose Window Capture from the Sources menu. This is useful if you have multiple windows open and only want to record one.

Why is my recording choppy or stuttering?

This usually happens when your computer doesn't have enough processing power to record and run other programs at the same time. Close unnecessary programs before recording, lower your resolution or frame rate, or use a simpler recording tool. If you're using OBS Studio, check that your CPU usage isn't maxed out in the bottom status bar.

How do I edit my screen recording after I save it?

You'll need video editing software. Windows includes Photos, which can trim videos and add music. macOS includes iMovie. For more control, free options like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut work on both systems. Open your recording file in the editor and trim, cut, or add audio as needed.

Can I record two monitors at the same time?

Game Bar and macOS Screenshot record one screen at a time. OBS Studio can record multiple monitors if you add multiple Display Capture sources and arrange them in the canvas, though this uses more storage and processing power.

What file format does my recording save in?

Game Bar saves as MP4, macOS Screenshot saves as MOV, and OBS Studio defaults to MP4 but can save in other formats. These formats work on most computers and websites. If you need a different format, you can convert the file using free tools like HandBrake or VLC.