Screen recording captures everything on your monitor as a video file

Screen recording means your computer saves what appears on your screen—along with audio from your microphone or speakers—as a video file you can play back, edit, or share. Most computers come with a built-in screen recorder, so you likely do not need to read anything. The method depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, and what you want to record.

The basic process is the same across devices: you start the recorder, perform the action you want to capture, then stop and save the file. Most recordings land in your Downloads folder or a folder you choose when you start. File sizes range from small (a few minutes of screen activity) to large (an hour of video can be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on resolution and quality settings).

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 include the Xbox Game Bar screen recorder, opened by pressing Windows key + G, which saves video files to your Videos folder by default.
  • Mac computers have built-in screen recording through the Screenshot app (press Shift + Command + 5) or QuickTime Player, both free and ready to use.
  • You can record your entire screen, a single window, or just a portion, and choose whether to include audio from your microphone or system sound.
  • Most built-in recorders create MP4 video files that play on any media player and can be edited in free software like DaVinci Resolve or iMovie.

Screen recording on Windows using Xbox Game Bar

Windows 10 and 11 come with the Xbox Game Bar, a built-in tool that records your screen without installing anything. Press the Windows key + G to open it. A small menu appears in the upper left corner of your screen with recording controls.

Before you start, check the audio settings. Click the microphone icon to toggle your microphone on or off. By default, the recorder captures system audio (sound from your computer) but not your voice. If you want to narrate while recording, turn the microphone on. Then click the red circle button or press Windows key + Alt + R to begin recording. A timer appears on screen showing how long you have been recording. When you are done, press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the stop button in the Game Bar menu. The file saves automatically to your Videos folder as an MP4 file.

If you want to record only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, press Windows key + Alt + S to open the snip tool, but for video this approach is less common. Most users find it easier to record the full screen and crop the video later if needed using free editing software.

Screen recording on Mac using Screenshot or QuickTime

Mac computers offer two built-in options. The easiest is the Screenshot app. Press Shift + Command + 5 to open it. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with five icons: the first four are for taking still images, and the fifth (a circle with a dot) is for screen recording. Click the recording icon, then choose whether to record the entire screen or just a portion. A small menu appears asking where to save the file—Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, or Mail. Select your choice, then click the Record button or press Space to start.

The second option is QuickTime Player, which gives you more control over audio settings. Open QuickTime Player (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space), then go to File > New Screen Recording. A recording window opens. Click the arrow next to the red record button to choose your microphone source—built-in microphone, external microphone, or none. Then click the red button to start. When finished, press Command + Control + Esc or click the stop button in the menu bar. A dialog box appears asking where to save the file. Both methods save as MP4 files in the location you choose.

Choosing what to record and audio settings

Most screen recorders let you pick what appears in your video. You can record your entire monitor, a single window (like one browser tab or process), or a custom rectangle you draw around the area you want to capture. Recording just the part you need keeps file sizes smaller and makes editing simpler later.

Audio options vary. System audio means sound coming from your computer—music playing, video dialogue, notification sounds. Microphone audio means your voice or sound from a microphone plugged into your computer. You can record both, one, or neither. If you are recording a tutorial and want to narrate, turn on your microphone. If you are recording a video call to save it, system audio captures what you hear and your microphone captures what you say. Test your audio settings before you start the real recording by doing a short 10-second test and playing it back.

Where your recording saves and how to find it

Built-in recorders save files to a default location unless you change it. On Windows, Xbox Game Bar saves to your Videos folder (usually C:\Users\[Your Name]\Videos). On Mac, Screenshot saves to Desktop by default unless you change it in the menu, and QuickTime Player asks you where to save each time. You can move files to any folder after recording.

File names are usually automatic: Windows creates names like "2024-01-15 14-32-15.mp4" and Mac creates names like "Screen Recording 2024-01-15 at 2.32.15 PM.mov" (though Mac converts to MP4 if you choose that format). Both are MP4 files that play in any media player—Windows Media Player, VLC, QuickTime, or web browsers. If you cannot find your file, search your computer for ".mp4" or check your Downloads folder, as some software saves there by default.

Editing and sharing your screen recording

Once you have your video file, you can edit it, trim it, add text, or upload it as-is. Free editing software includes DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac), iMovie (Mac only), and Windows Photos (Windows only). These let you cut out sections, add titles, adjust audio volume, and export in different formats.

To share your recording, you can email it if the file is small enough (most email services accept files up to 25 MB), upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive, or post it to video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. If your file is very large, compress it first using your operating system's built-in tools or free software like Handbrake, which reduces file size without losing much quality.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If your recording has no sound, check that you turned on the microphone or system audio before you started. On Windows, open Xbox Game Bar again and look at the microphone icon—if it has a line through it, audio is off. On Mac, check the QuickTime menu to confirm you selected a microphone source. If your file will not play, make sure you are using a media player that supports MP4 files; if you still have trouble, try opening it in a web browser or converting it with free software like VLC.

If your recording is choppy or stutters, close other programs running in the background to free up computer memory. Screen recording uses significant processing power, especially at high resolution. If your computer is old or has limited RAM, recording at a lower resolution or closing browser tabs and applications before you start will improve quality. If the file is corrupted and will not open, try recording again—corruption usually happens if your computer ran out of storage space or crashed during recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. On Windows, Xbox Game Bar records your full screen by default, but you can crop the video after recording using free editing software. On Mac, Screenshot lets you click the window recording option and then click the window you want to capture. QuickTime also has a window recording mode. Recording just one window keeps file sizes smaller.

What if I want to record with my voice but the microphone is not working?

First, check that your microphone is plugged in (if external) or enabled in your computer settings. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound and confirm your microphone is listed and not muted. On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and check Microphone. Test it by opening the recorder and doing a short practice recording. If it still does not work, try a different microphone or restart your computer.

How large will my screen recording file be?

A one-minute recording at standard resolution is usually 10 to 30 MB. An hour-long recording can be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on your screen resolution and whether audio is included. If you need to email or upload the file, compress it using free software like Handbrake or your operating system's built-in compression tools.

Can I edit my recording after I save it?

Yes. Free editing software like DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, or Windows Photos can trim, cut, add titles, adjust audio, and export your video in different formats. Open the software, import your MP4 file, make your changes, and export as a new file. The original recording stays unchanged.

What format does the screen recording save in?

Built-in recorders on both Windows and Mac save as MP4 files, which play on any device and media player. MP4 is the standard format for video sharing online and is compatible with YouTube, email, cloud storage, and most editing software.