Windows and Mac both include free screen recording tools you don't need to install
Your computer already has screen recording built in. On Windows 10 and later, the Xbox Game Bar records video and audio with a single keyboard shortcut. On Mac, Screenshot (the system tool you use for still images) also records video. Both are free, require no setup, and save files directly to your computer.
If you need more control—like editing, adding a cursor highlight, or recording only part of your screen—free third-party software like OBS Studio or Camtasia offer those features. But the built-in tools work for most people, and you can start recording in under ten seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and later have Xbox Game Bar, which records your entire screen or just one window using Win + G, then Win + Alt + R.
- Mac users can open Screenshot (Command + Shift + 5) and choose the video record option instead of taking a still image.
- Both built-in tools record audio from your microphone and speakers at the same time, and save files as MP4 or MOV automatically.
- If you need to edit the video, add overlays, or record only a portion of your screen, free software like OBS Studio gives you those options without paying.
- Check your available disk space before recording—a one-hour video at standard quality uses roughly 1 to 3 gigabytes.
Recording on Windows with Xbox Game Bar
Press Win + G to open Xbox Game Bar. A panel appears along the top of your screen with a microphone icon, a camera icon, and a settings gear. The camera icon is your record button. Before you start, check that the microphone icon shows the audio source you want—it defaults to your system audio (what plays through your speakers) and your microphone together. If you want only one, click the microphone icon to adjust.
Click the camera icon or press Win + Alt + R to begin recording. A small timer appears on screen showing how long you have been recording. Your mouse cursor and all activity on your screen are captured. To stop, press Win + Alt + R again or click the stop button in the Game Bar panel. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures, as an MP4 file with a timestamp in the name.
If you want to record only one window instead of your entire screen, open that window first, then open Game Bar. The panel includes a button labeled "Capture" or a window selector—use it to choose which window to record before you press the camera icon. This is useful when you have multiple programs open and want to focus on just one.
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 first two are for still images, and the third button (a rectangle with a dot inside) is for video recording. Click that button, or press the number 5 on your keyboard. Your cursor changes to a crosshair.
Drag to select the area you want to record, or click the Options menu and choose "Entire Screen" to record everything. Once you have selected your area, a red Record button appears. Click it to start. A timer counts up in the menu bar. When you are done, press Command + Control + Esc, or click the Stop button in the menu bar. The video saves to your Desktop by default as a MOV file, though you can change the save location in Options before you record.
Mac's Screenshot tool records both your microphone and system audio by default. If you want to turn off your microphone or system audio, open Options before you press Record and uncheck the audio sources you don't need. This gives you control over what sound gets captured without needing a separate app.
Using OBS Studio for more control
OBS Studio is free software that gives you more options than the built-in tools: you can record only part of your screen, add a webcam overlay, capture multiple windows at once, or edit the video before saving. read it from obsproject.com and install it like any other program. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
When you open OBS, you see a blank canvas on the left called the Scene. Click the plus sign under Sources to add what you want to record. Choose "Screen Capture" to record your monitor, "Window Capture" to record only one window, or "Display Capture" on Mac. Adjust the size and position of the capture area in the preview. Under Audio Input Capture, add your microphone. Under Audio Output Capture (Windows) or System Audio (Mac), add the sound from your speakers.
Click the Start Recording button in the bottom right. OBS records to a file on your computer—by default, a folder called Videos. When you are done, click Stop Recording. The file is saved as an MP4. OBS has a steeper learning curve than the built-in tools, but the trade-off is that you have full control over what gets recorded and where it goes.
Checking your disk space before you record
Screen recording uses disk space quickly. A one-hour video at 1080p resolution uses roughly 1 to 3 gigabytes, depending on how much motion is on screen and what codec your software uses. Before you record something long, check how much free space you have.
On Windows, right-click your C: drive in File Explorer and choose Properties. The pie chart shows your free space. On Mac, click the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then Storage. If you have less than 5 gigabytes free, delete old files or move them to an external drive before you record. This prevents the recording from stopping halfway through because your drive ran out of space.
Saving and finding your recorded video
Windows Game Bar saves to Videos/Captures by default. Mac Screenshot saves to Desktop by default, but you can change this in Options before you record. OBS saves to Videos by default, but you can change the folder in Settings under Output.
Once the file is saved, you can move it, rename it, or open it in any video player. If you want to edit it—trim the beginning, add text, or cut out mistakes—you can use free software like DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac) or the Photos app (Mac only). Windows 11 also includes a built-in video editor called Clipchamp, which is simpler than DaVinci Resolve if you only need basic cuts.
Troubleshooting common recording problems
If Game Bar does not open on Windows, make sure you are using Windows 10 or later. If you are, press Win + I to open Settings, go to Gaming, and turn on Game Bar. If the record button is grayed out, you may be trying to record a protected window like a password manager or banking site—Windows blocks recording of these for security.
On Mac, if Screenshot does not record audio, check System Preferences under Sound to make sure your microphone and speakers are not muted. If OBS records a black screen, make sure you have selected the correct display or window in Sources. If the video file is huge (more than 5 gigabytes per hour), your software may be using a high bitrate—lower it in Settings under Output to reduce file size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record just part of my screen instead of the whole thing?
Windows Game Bar records your entire screen or one window, not a custom area. To record a specific rectangle, use OBS Studio or Camtasia. On Mac, Screenshot lets you drag to select any area before you record, so you have that flexibility built in.
Will recording slow down my computer?
Screen recording uses CPU power, so your computer may feel slightly slower while recording, especially if you are also running other programs. Close unnecessary apps before you start. If your computer has a graphics card (GPU), OBS can use it to reduce the load on your main processor.
What format should I save the video in?
MP4 is the most compatible format—it plays on Windows, Mac, phones, and most websites. All three tools (Game Bar, Screenshot, OBS) save as MP4 or MOV by default, which is fine for most uses. If you need a different format, you can convert the file later with free software like HandBrake.
Can I record my screen and my webcam at the same time?
The built-in tools do not support this. OBS Studio does—add both Screen Capture and Video Capture Device as sources, position them how you want, and record. Camtasia also offers this feature if you prefer a simpler interface.
How do I record audio from my speakers without recording my microphone?
In Game Bar, click the microphone icon and toggle off your microphone before you record. In Mac Screenshot, open Options and uncheck Microphone. In OBS, add Audio Output Capture (Windows) or System Audio (Mac) but do not add Audio Input Capture.