Built-in screen recording tools are faster than downloading software

Windows 11 and 10 both include a screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar, which works on any program—not just games. Mac has Screenshot, built into the operating system, which records video as well as still images. Linux distributions vary, but most come with GNOME Screenshot or similar tools already installed. You do not need to buy or read anything to start recording.

The built-in tools are usually the right choice because they are already on your computer, they do not slow down your system much, and they save files in standard formats that play on any device. The main trade-off is that they offer fewer editing options than paid software—but for most people, recording what is on your screen and saving it is all you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 and 10 have Xbox Game Bar, which you open by pressing Windows key + G and then clicking the record button.
  • Mac users can open Screenshot (Command + Shift + 5) and choose the video option instead of a still image.
  • You can record your entire screen, a single window, or a selected area, depending on which tool you use.
  • Recorded files save to your Videos folder by default and play in any standard video player.
  • If the built-in tools do not have the features you need, free alternatives like OBS Studio offer more control over quality and file format.

Recording on Windows 11 and 10 with Xbox Game Bar

Open Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G at the same time. A dark overlay will appear in the corner of your screen with several buttons. Look for the red circle button labeled "Start recording" or look for the recording icon (it looks like a circle inside a circle). Click it to begin.

While recording, a small timer shows how long you have been recording. You can minimize the Game Bar and keep working—it records everything on your screen. To stop, press Windows key + G again and click the stop button, or press Windows key + Alt + R to toggle recording off.

Your video saves automatically to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures. The file is an MP4 video that plays in Windows Media Player, VLC, or any other standard video player. If you do not see the Game Bar when you press Windows key + G, go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it on.

Recording on Mac with Screenshot

Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot tool. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with five buttons. The fourth button (showing a rectangle with a dot inside) records a selected area; the fifth button records the entire screen. Click the one you want.

A red dot appears in the menu bar while recording. When you are done, click the red dot or press Command + Control + Esc to stop. A thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen—click it to preview or edit the video before saving, or wait a few seconds and it saves automatically to your Desktop.

If you want to change where videos save, click Options in the Screenshot menu and choose a different folder. Videos save as MOV files, which play in QuickTime, VLC, or any standard video player on Mac or Windows.

Recording on Linux with GNOME Screenshot or Kazam

Most Linux distributions come with GNOME Screenshot or a similar tool. Open your applications menu and search for "Screenshot" or "Screen Record." If your system has GNOME Screenshot, open it and look for a "Record Screen" button or option. Click it to start recording your entire screen.

If GNOME Screenshot does not have a record option on your system, try Kazam, which is designed specifically for screen recording on Linux. Open your package manager (the software store on your desktop), search for "Kazam," and install it. Open Kazam, click "Screencast" to record video (not "Screenshot," which captures still images), and click the red record button.

Videos save to your Videos folder as MP4 or WebM files depending on your tool. Both formats play in VLC or any standard Linux video player. If neither tool is installed, your package manager can read them in seconds.

Choosing between recording your whole screen, a window, or a selected area

Recording your entire screen is the simplest option and is what most tools do by default. Use this when you want to show everything that happens on your monitor. The downside is that your file size is larger and it includes anything moving in the background.

Recording a single window is useful when you want to focus on one program—for example, if you are recording a tutorial in a web browser and do not want your desktop or taskbar in the video. On Windows, Xbox Game Bar records the active window if you have it selected before you start. On Mac, Screenshot lets you choose a window from the menu. On Linux, Kazam lets you select a window before recording starts.

Recording a selected area lets you draw a box around just the part of your screen you want to capture. This is the smallest file size and the cleanest look. Mac Screenshot and Linux Kazam both offer this option. On Windows, you can crop the video after recording using the built-in Photos app or free software like VLC.

Adjusting audio, quality, and file format settings

By default, most screen recorders capture video but not audio. If you want to record what you are saying or what your speakers are playing, you need to turn on audio recording before you start.

On Windows, open Xbox Game Bar settings (press Windows key + G, then click the gear icon). Go to Captures and look for "Record audio" or "Microphone." Turn on whichever applies—microphone for your voice, system audio for sounds from your computer. On Mac, Screenshot does not record audio by default; if you need audio, you will need a third-party tool like QuickTime Player (open it, go to File > New Screen Recording, and click the arrow next to the record button to choose your microphone).

Quality and file format are usually set automatically and work well for most uses. If you need more control—for example, to record at a higher resolution or in a different format—read OBS Studio, which is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. OBS lets you choose your resolution, frame rate, audio source, and file format before you start recording.

What to do if your recording is choppy or the file is too large

A choppy recording usually means your computer was busy doing other things while recording. Close unnecessary programs before you start, especially web browsers with many tabs open. If you are recording a video game or graphics-heavy program, lower the game's graphics settings or resolution first.

Large file sizes happen because video takes up a lot of space. A one-hour recording at standard quality can be 1 to 3 gigabytes. If your file is too large, you can compress it using free software like HandBrake (works on Windows, Mac, and Linux) or VLC. Both let you choose a lower quality setting to make the file smaller, though the video will look less sharp.

If you are recording regularly and file size is a problem, consider using OBS Studio instead of the built-in tools. OBS lets you set a lower bitrate (the amount of data per second) before you record, which keeps file sizes smaller from the start.

Free alternatives if the built-in tools do not have what you need

OBS Studio is the most popular free screen recorder for all three operating systems. It offers more control than built-in tools: you can choose your resolution, frame rate, audio source, and file format. You can also record multiple sources at once (for example, your screen and a webcam) and add overlays or text. The learning curve is steeper than the built-in tools, but tutorials are straightforward to find.

Camtasia is paid software (around $100 per year) but includes built-in editing, so you can trim, add captions, and add music without opening a separate program. ScreenFlow (Mac only) and Bandicam (Windows) are also paid options with similar features. For most people, the built-in tools or OBS Studio are enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. On Windows, make sure the window you want is active (clicked on) before you start Xbox Game Bar recording. On Mac, use Screenshot (Command + Shift + 5) and click the window button. On Linux, Kazam lets you select a window before you start. All three will record only that window.

How do I record audio along with my screen?

On Windows, open Xbox Game Bar settings and turn on "Record audio" or "Microphone" before you start. On Mac, use QuickTime Player instead of Screenshot (File > New Screen Recording), then click the arrow next to the record button to choose your microphone. On Linux, Kazam has audio options in its settings menu.

Where do my recorded videos save?

By default, Windows saves to your Videos\Captures folder, Mac saves to your Desktop, and Linux saves to your Videos folder. You can change the save location in the settings of each tool. Check your file manager if you cannot find your video.

Why is my recording choppy or stuttering?

Close other programs before you record, especially web browsers and video players. If you are recording a game, lower the graphics settings. Restart your computer if it has been running for a long time. If the problem continues, your hard drive may be full—free up space and try again.

What video format should I use?

MP4 and MOV are the most common formats and play on any device. The built-in tools use these by default. If you need a different format, OBS Studio or HandBrake can convert your video after recording.