Windows, Mac, and Linux all have screen recording built in — you don't need to buy anything

Screen recording means capturing video of what happens on your monitor, usually with audio from your microphone or speakers. Windows 11 and 10 include a tool called Xbox Game Bar that records in one click. macOS has Screenshot, which records video the same way it takes still images. Linux distributions vary, but most come with SimpleScreenRecorder or GNOME Screen Recorder already installed. If your operating system's built-in tool doesn't do what you need, free alternatives like OBS Studio and Audacity work on all three platforms.

The choice between built-in and third-party tools depends on what you're recording and where it needs to go. Built-in tools are faster to start and take up less disk space. Third-party tools give you more control over video quality, audio sources, and what parts of the screen to include.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 and 10 record video through Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G, then clicking the Record button.
  • macOS opens Screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 5, then selecting the video option and choosing what to record.
  • OBS Studio is free, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and lets you choose audio sources, video quality, and file format before recording starts.
  • Built-in tools save video files to your Documents or Videos folder by default, and you can move or share them like any other file.
  • Recording uses significant disk space — a one-hour video at standard quality takes roughly 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on your settings.

Recording on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Press the Windows key and G at the same time to open Xbox Game Bar. A panel appears on the left side of your screen with a red circle button labeled Record. Click it to start. A timer shows how long you've been recording in the top-left corner. Press Windows + G again and click the stop button, or press Windows + Alt + R to stop without opening the panel.

Xbox Game Bar records your entire screen by default and captures audio from your speakers. If you want to record only one window instead of everything, right-click the window's title bar, select Show more options, then choose Capture this. The recording saves to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. File names include the date and time, so you can tell them apart if you record multiple times.

If Xbox Game Bar doesn't open, your system may not have it installed. Go to the Microsoft Store app, search for Xbox Game Bar, and select Install. If you need to record audio from your microphone instead of your speakers — for example, if you're narrating a tutorial — Xbox Game Bar won't do that. Use OBS Studio instead.

Recording on macOS

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open Screenshot. A toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with five buttons. The fourth button (a rectangle with a dot inside) records video of a selected area. The fifth button records the entire screen. Click the button you want, then click Record. A red circle appears in the menu bar at the top. Click it to stop recording.

macOS saves the video to your Desktop by default, with a filename that starts with Screenshot. You can change where it saves by clicking Options in the Screenshot toolbar and selecting a different location from the Save to menu. Unlike Windows, macOS Screenshot does not record audio from your speakers or microphone — it captures video only. If you need audio, use OBS Studio or QuickTime Player, which is built into macOS and can record both video and audio.

Recording on Linux

Most Linux distributions include a screen recorder. Ubuntu and Fedora come with GNOME Screen Recorder, which you can open by pressing the Super key (Windows key) and typing "screen". Click the process when it appears. Press the red Record button to start. A timer shows in the top bar. Press the stop button or press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + U to stop recording.

GNOME Screen Recorder saves video to your Videos folder. If your distribution doesn't include a built-in tool, or if you want more control over settings, install SimpleScreenRecorder through your package manager. Open your software center or terminal, search for SimpleScreenRecorder, and select Install. It works the same way as GNOME Screen Recorder but gives you options to choose video quality and audio sources before you start.

Using OBS Studio for more control

OBS Studio is free software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It lets you choose which audio source to record (microphone, speakers, or both), adjust video quality, and select what part of your screen to capture. read it from obsproject.com, install it, and open the process.

In OBS Studio, click the plus sign under Sources and select Screen Capture. Choose which monitor to record if you have more than one. Under Audio Input Capture, click the plus sign again and select your microphone if you want to narrate. Click the red Start Recording button. A timer shows how long you've been recording. Click Stop Recording when you're done. The video saves to a folder you choose in Settings under Output.

OBS Studio has a steeper learning curve than built-in tools, but it's worth learning if you record regularly. You can save your settings as a profile, so the next time you record, everything is already configured the way you want it.

Where your video files go and how much space they use

Built-in tools save video to standard folders: Windows saves to Videos/Captures, macOS saves to Desktop, and Linux saves to Videos. You can move these files anywhere you want — they're regular video files that work in any media player or video editor.

Screen recordings use a lot of disk space. A one-hour video at 1080p resolution (standard for most monitors) takes roughly 1 to 3 gigabytes, depending on how much motion is on screen. A video with mostly static content uses less space than one with constant movement. If you're running low on disk space, record shorter segments or lower your resolution in OBS Studio before you start.

Recording audio separately with Audacity

If you want to record video and audio separately — for example, to record your screen while narrating, then sync them later — use Audacity to record the audio. Audacity is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org, install it, and open the process.

Click the red Record button to start recording your voice through your microphone. Speak your narration. Click the stop button when you're done. Go to File, then Export, then Export as MP3 (or WAV if you prefer). Save the file with a clear name. Then record your screen separately using any of the tools above. In a video editor like DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere, import both files and sync them by matching the audio waveforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Windows and macOS let you select a specific area or window before recording. On Windows, use Xbox Game Bar and right-click the window you want to record. On macOS, use Screenshot and drag to select the area. OBS Studio on any platform lets you choose Screen Capture and select a specific window from the dropdown menu.

Why is my recording choppy or laggy?

Recording uses CPU power, which can slow down your computer if you're also running other programs. Close unnecessary applications before recording. If you're using OBS Studio, lower the video bitrate in Settings under Output. Bitrate is how much data the video uses per second — lower bitrate means smaller files but lower quality.

Can I record my screen with sound from my speakers and my microphone at the same time?

Built-in tools usually record only speakers or only microphone, not both. OBS Studio lets you add multiple audio sources — click the plus sign under Audio Input Capture twice, once for your microphone and once for your speakers (or system audio). Both will record into the same video file.

What video format should I save in?

MP4 is the most compatible format — it plays on any device and works with any video editor. Most tools save as MP4 by default. If you need a different format, OBS Studio lets you choose in Settings under Output. Avoid formats like MOV or MKV unless you know the person receiving the file can play them.

How do I edit my recording after I save it?

Free video editors like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot work on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Import your video file, trim the beginning and end, add text or captions, and export as a new file. Most editors have tutorials on their websites that show how to do basic edits.