Recording your monitor means capturing video of everything on your screen

Recording your computer monitor is the act of turning what you see on your screen into a video file. The video captures your mouse movements, window changes, text you type, and anything else that happens on your display. You can record your entire monitor, a single window, or just a portion of the screen. Most computers come with built-in recording tools, and free third-party programs offer more control over quality, file size, and what gets recorded.

The main reason to record your monitor is to create a tutorial, document a problem for tech support, or keep a record of something time-sensitive. Recording is different from taking a screenshot — a screenshot freezes one moment, while a recording captures motion and change over time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that works for any program, not just games.
  • macOS has a native screen recording tool in the Screenshot app that lets you choose what portion of your screen to capture.
  • Free programs like OBS Studio and ScreenFlow give you more options for file format, audio quality, and what parts of your screen to include.
  • Recording your monitor uses disk space and processing power, so closing unnecessary programs before you start keeps file sizes smaller and reduces lag.
  • Most recordings default to your Downloads folder or Documents folder, and you can rename or move them after recording stops.

Recording on Windows 10 and 11 with Xbox Game Bar

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in recorder called Xbox Game Bar. Open it by pressing Windows key + G at the same time. A panel will appear on the left side of your screen with a red circle button labeled "Start recording" or a microphone icon. Click the red circle to begin. Your recording will capture everything on your monitor, including your mouse cursor and any sounds your computer makes or any audio from your microphone if it is plugged in.

To stop recording, press Windows key + G again and click the stop button, or press Windows key + Alt + R. The video file saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. The file format is MP4, which plays on most devices and video editors. If you want to record only a portion of your screen rather than the whole monitor, Xbox Game Bar does not offer that option — you would need a different tool.

Recording on Mac with the Screenshot app

macOS includes a screen recording tool built into the Screenshot app. Press Shift + Command + 5 to open it. You will see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with several icons. Click the icon that looks like a filled rectangle with a circle inside it — that is the screen recording button. You can then choose to record your entire screen or just a portion of it by dragging a box around the area you want to capture.

Click the "Record" button to start. A red dot appears in the menu bar at the top of your screen while recording is active. To stop, click the red dot or press Control + Command + Esc. A thumbnail of your recording appears in the corner of your screen. Click it to preview, edit, or save the file. By default, recordings save to your Desktop, but you can change this in System Preferences under General.

Using OBS Studio for more control

OBS Studio is a free, open-source program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It gives you more options than built-in tools: you can choose your video quality, frame rate, file format, and exactly which parts of your screen to record. read it from obsproject.com. After installation, open OBS and you will see a window with several sections: Scenes, Sources, and a large preview area.

To record your monitor, click the plus sign under Sources and select "Display Capture" or "Screen Capture" depending on your operating system. Choose which monitor you want to record if you have more than one. Then click the "Start Recording" button in the lower right. OBS saves recordings to a folder you choose in Settings under Output. The default format is MP4, but you can change it to MOV, FLV, or other formats. OBS uses more of your computer's processing power than built-in tools, so close other programs if your recording becomes choppy.

What happens to your file after recording stops

Your recording becomes a video file stored on your hard drive. On Windows with Xbox Game Bar, the file goes to Videos > Captures. On Mac with Screenshot, it goes to your Desktop by default. With OBS Studio, it goes wherever you set it in the output folder. You can rename the file, move it to a different folder, or upload it to the internet just like any other file.

Video files take up disk space — a one-hour recording at standard quality can be 500 megabytes to several gigabytes depending on your resolution and frame rate. If you are recording to share with someone else, you may want to compress the file or upload it to a video hosting service like YouTube or Google Drive rather than emailing it. Most video players and editing programs recognize MP4 files, so you can open your recording in almost any video software.

Reducing lag and keeping file sizes manageable

Recording uses your computer's processor and hard drive, which can slow down other tasks. Before you start recording, close web browsers with many tabs open, email programs, and any software you are not using. The fewer things running, the smoother your recording will be and the smaller the file size will be. If you see stuttering or skipped frames in your recording, this usually means your computer was doing too much at once.

You can also reduce file size by lowering your recording resolution. If you are recording a tutorial for someone else to watch on a phone or tablet, you do not need to record at your monitor's full resolution. In OBS Studio, you can set the output resolution lower than your actual screen resolution. In Xbox Game Bar and Mac Screenshot, the resolution matches your monitor, but you can compress the file afterward using free tools like HandBrake.

Recording audio along with your screen

Most screen recording tools capture system audio — the sounds your computer makes, video playback, notification sounds. If you want to add your own voice explaining what is happening on screen, you need a microphone plugged into your computer. Xbox Game Bar and Mac Screenshot both record microphone audio if one is connected. In OBS Studio, you can add your microphone as an audio source by clicking the plus sign under Sources and selecting "Audio Input Capture."

Test your microphone before you start recording. Speak at a normal volume and check that the audio levels in your recording tool are moving — if they are not, your microphone may not be selected or may not be working. If you record without audio and want to add narration later, you can use free video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut to add a voice track after the recording is done.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Xbox Game Bar and Mac Screenshot record your entire monitor or a rectangular portion you select. OBS Studio lets you record a single window by selecting "Window Capture" instead of "Display Capture" in the Sources section. This is useful if you want to record a specific program without showing other windows or your desktop.

What if my recording is choppy or has skipped frames?

Close other programs running in the background, especially web browsers and email. Lower your resolution or frame rate if you are using OBS Studio. If your hard drive is almost full, delete old files to free up space — recording to a nearly full drive causes stuttering. Restart your computer before recording if it has been running for several days.

Can I edit my recording after it is saved?

Yes. Free video editors like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot can open MP4 files and let you trim the beginning or end, add text, or combine multiple recordings. Most of these programs also let you export your edited video in different formats or at different quality levels.

How much disk space does a recording use?

A one-hour recording at 1080p resolution uses roughly 500 megabytes to 2 gigabytes depending on your frame rate and the complexity of what is on screen. A five-minute recording typically uses 40 to 150 megabytes. If you are running low on disk space, record shorter segments or lower your resolution.

Can I record my screen while using a video call?

Yes, but your computer will be working hard. Close other programs first. Some video call software may ask for permission to be recorded — check your meeting settings. If your recording becomes choppy, lower the resolution or close the video call window and record just the content you need to show.