Screen recording captures everything on your display — what you see, what you click, and what you type — and saves it as a video file you can share or keep.
Every major operating system now includes a built-in screen recorder, so you do not need to read anything. On Windows, you use the Game Bar. On Mac, you use the Screenshot app. On Chromebook, you use the built-in screen capture tool. Each one works slightly differently, but all three save the video to your computer where you can find it in your Files or Downloads folder.
Screen recording is useful when you want to show someone how to do something on your computer, document a problem before you contact support, or save a video call or presentation. The file size is usually between 50 and 500 megabytes depending on how long you record and what resolution your screen uses.
Key Takeaways
- Windows uses the Game Bar (press Windows key + G), Mac uses the Screenshot app (press Command + Shift + 5), and Chromebook uses Shift + Ctrl + Overview button to start recording.
- You can choose to record your entire screen or just one window or part of the screen, depending on what you need to show.
- The video file saves automatically to your computer in a folder you can access through Files or Finder, and you can move it, email it, or upload it anywhere.
- Most screen recorders also capture your microphone audio if you want to add narration while you record.
How to Screen Record on Windows
Press the Windows key and G at the same time to open the Game Bar. A small menu will appear in the upper left corner of your screen. Click the red circle button that says "Start recording" or press Windows + Alt + R. Your screen will now record everything you do — your mouse movements, clicks, and any sound from your speakers or microphone.
To stop recording, click the red square button in the Game Bar menu or press Windows + Alt + R again. The video automatically saves to a folder called "Captures" inside your Videos folder. You can find it by opening File Explorer, clicking Videos, then opening the Captures folder. The file will be named something like "2024-01-15 14-32-45.mp4".
If you want to record only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, you can use the Snipping Tool instead. Press Windows + Shift + S, then click "Video" at the bottom of the menu. Draw a rectangle around the area you want to record, then click Start. This is useful if you only want to show one window or one part of your desktop.
How to Screen Record on Mac
Press Command, Shift, and 5 at the same time. A menu will appear at the bottom of your screen with several options. Click the button that looks like a filled rectangle with a dot in the corner — this is the "Record entire screen" button. If you want to record only part of your screen, click the button that looks like a rectangle outline instead, then drag to select the area you want to record.
Click the "Record" button to start. A red dot will appear in the menu bar at the top of your screen to show that recording is active. When you are done, click the red dot or press Command + Control + Escape to stop. The video saves to your Desktop by default, but you can change this. Click "Options" in the menu before you start recording and choose a different location from the "Save to" dropdown.
If you want to include audio from your microphone while you record, click "Options" before you start and change "Microphone" from "None" to "Built-in Microphone" or whatever microphone you use. This is helpful if you want to narrate what you are doing while you record.
How to Screen Record on Chromebook
Press Shift, Ctrl, and the Overview button (the button that looks like a rectangle, usually in the top row of your keyboard) at the same time. A menu will appear asking what you want to record. Click "Full screen" to record your entire screen, or click "Partial screen" to draw a rectangle around just the area you want to record. Then click "Start recording".
A timer will appear on your screen showing how long you have been recording. When you are done, click the timer or press Escape to stop. The video saves to your Downloads folder automatically. You can find it by clicking the Files app, then clicking Downloads. The file will be named something like "Screencast 2024-01-15 14-32-45.webm".
Chromebook screen recording does not include microphone audio by default. If you need to add narration, you will need to use a different tool like Google Meet or a third-party app from the Chrome Web Store.
Choosing Between Full Screen and Partial Screen Recording
Full screen recording captures everything on your display, including your taskbar, menu bar, and any notifications that pop up. This is the fastest option and works well if you want to show someone your entire workflow or document a problem. The downside is that the video file is larger and it shows everything, including things you might not want to share.
Partial screen recording lets you draw a box around just the part you want to show — one window, one document, or one area of your screen. This makes the video file smaller, keeps your recording focused, and hides anything outside the box you drew. It takes a few extra seconds to set up, but it is worth it if you only want to show one specific thing.
What to Do With Your Screen Recording After You Save It
Once your video is saved, you can move it, copy it, email it, or upload it anywhere you normally upload files. On Windows and Mac, you can drag it to an email, upload it to Google Drive or OneDrive, or share it through a messaging app. On Chromebook, you can do the same through the Files app.
If the file is too large to email, you can upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, or another cloud storage service and send the link instead. Most screen recordings are between 50 and 500 megabytes depending on how long you recorded and what resolution your screen uses, so check the file size before you try to email it.
You can also edit your screen recording if you want to trim the beginning or end, add text, or cut out parts in the middle. Windows includes the Photos app, which has basic editing tools. Mac includes iMovie, which is more powerful. Chromebook does not include a built-in video editor, but you can use a free online tool like Kapwing or upload to Google Drive and use Google's built-in editor.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
If your screen recording is not saving, check that you have enough free space on your computer. Screen recordings take up significant space, and if your drive is full, the recording will not save. On Windows, open Settings and click System, then Storage to see how much space you have left. On Mac, click the Apple menu, then About This Mac, then Storage. On Chromebook, click Settings, then Storage management.
If your audio is not recording, check that your microphone is turned on and not muted. On Windows and Mac, open your sound settings and make sure the microphone is set as the default input device. On Chromebook, screen recording does not capture microphone audio at all, so you will need to use a different tool if you need narration.
If your screen recording is choppy or stuttering, try closing other programs before you record. Screen recording uses a lot of your computer's processing power, and if other programs are running, it can slow things down. Close your web browser tabs, email, and any other programs you do not need, then try recording again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record just one window instead of my whole screen?
Yes. On Windows, use the Snipping Tool (Windows + Shift + S) and click Video. On Mac, press Command + Shift + 5 and click the partial screen button. On Chromebook, press Shift + Ctrl + Overview and click Partial screen. In all three cases, you draw a rectangle around the window or area you want to record.
Does screen recording capture my microphone?
Windows and Mac can record microphone audio if you turn it on in the settings before you start. Chromebook does not include microphone recording in its built-in tool. If you need narration on Chromebook, use Google Meet or a third-party app instead.
Where does my screen recording save?
On Windows, it saves to Videos > Captures. On Mac, it saves to your Desktop by default, but you can change this in Options. On Chromebook, it saves to your Downloads folder. You can move the file anywhere after it saves.
How large is a typical screen recording?
Most screen recordings are between 50 and 500 megabytes depending on how long you record and your screen resolution. A 5-minute recording at standard resolution is usually around 100 to 200 megabytes. If the file is too large to email, upload it to cloud storage and share the link instead.
Can I edit my screen recording after I save it?
Yes. Windows has the Photos app, Mac has iMovie, and both can trim, cut, and add text. Chromebook does not include a built-in editor, but you can use free online tools like Kapwing or Google Drive's editor to make changes.