How to Screen Record on a Computer [Any OS]
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We’ve scoured the web for the best options on how to screen record on your computer and compiled the ultimate list of programs to capture and edit videos from your computer screen. No matter whether you’re using a Mac or PC, these apps will have you covered.
Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi Screen Recorder allows you to capture any window, screen, or tab on your computer. You can record both video and external audio with the click of a button. This lightweight yet powerful video-recording software will allow you to record on your Mac and PC. Whether you want to record a single something or everything, Movavi Screen Recorder will get the job done.
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How to record your computer screen on a Windows PC
Game Bar
Do you want to share screenshots or video recordings of your computer screen whilst playing online games on your PC? Game Bar is a customizable screen-recording tool built into Windows 10 and 11, meaning you can easily capture any screen activities, not only video games.
Here are the steps on how to record your computer screen:
Step 1
Press the Windows logo key + G to screen record on a Windows computer. This will open Game Bar. If you have an Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller plugged into your PC, you’ll have to press the Xbox button on your controller.
Step 2
To record your computer screen on Windows 10, select Start recording. Use the Windows logo + Alt + G to start and stop recordings for PC games.
Step 3
Click the camera icon to capture a picture of what is happening in the game.
Step 4
If you want to finish your computer screen recording, hit the Stop recording button.
Select See my captures if you want to edit a clip you recorded.
How to record a screen on a computer: Guide for a Mac
QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a great built-in media player that allows you to record your screen on your Mac desktop or a MacBook. You can use this versatile application for recording your computer screen.
Here’s how to record your screen on a computer:
Step 1
To start recording on your Mac, first, open QuickTime Player.
Step 2
Next, you need to open the File menu and choose New Screen Recording. You’ll see a recording toolbar on your screen. You can control what you record by clicking on Options. This will allow you to set the location where you want to save your screen recording, set the timer, and choose an audio source. You can also choose to include mouse clicks in your screen recording.
Step 3
Next, click the Record button in the toolbar to capture what's going on your screen.
Step 4
To end the recording session, simply click the Stop Recording button.
How to record a video from a computer screen on Linux
OBS Studio
So, how do you record your computer screen on Linux? One of the options is to use a third-party screen-recording software. Our choice is OBS Studio – free and open-source software for recording videos and live streaming on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It can capture real-time video and/or audio recording and mixing. With OBS Studio, you can capture various scenes made up of different sources, including program windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and more.
Here are the instructions on how to record a video from your computer screen with OBS Studio.
Step 1
Download and install OBS Studio on your computer. When the installation is complete, open the screen-recording program.
Step 2
Click the + icon in the Scenes box on the bottom-left part of the program windows to add a scene.
Step 3
In the Sources box, click + sign, then select the Display Capture option. Create a title and press OK.
Step 4
In the next pop-up window, select your display and capture method and click OK.
Step 5
Click on Settings on the bottom-right part of the screen. Open the Output tab. In the Recording box, choose the Recording Path by clicking on Browse.
Step 6
Once you’ve set everything up, click Start Recording to record a computer screen video.
How to record a computer screen video on a Chromebook
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome
How do you screen record on a computer with a ChromeOS? There are various ways to do this. One of the options is to use a Chrome browser extension, like Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome. The screen-recording extension makes it easy to take a video of any window in your browser. You can grab any webpage, capture your voice with a microphone, record tab sounds, and embed your webcam into the video capture with a simple click of a button.
Here’s how to video record your computer screen using Movavi Screen Recorder for Chromebook:
Step 1
Use the link below to add Movavi Screen Recorder to your Chrome browser.
Step 2
Pin the extension in the top-right corner of the browser window. Now you have quick access to the screen recorder to capture all the things you need.
Step 3
Click the extension icon to specify the recording settings. You can choose what you want to capture – the current tab or your entire computer screen. And you can also decide on recording sound and webcam preferences.
Step 4
To screen capture a video, click the Start Recording button. Record your video and download the file to your desktop.
Keyboard shortcuts for computer screen recording
Start recording
Windows: Windows logo key + Alt + R
macOS: Control + Command + 5
Linux (Ubuntu): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R
ChromeOS: Shift + Ctrl + Show windows
Pause recording
Windows: N/A, but you can create your own shortcuts if needed
macOS: N/A
Linux (Ubuntu): N/A
ChromeOS: N/A, use the toolbar
Stop recording
Windows: Windows logo key + Alt + R
macOS: N/A, use the toolbar
Linux (Ubuntu): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R
ChromeOS: N/A, use the toolbar
Additional apps for recording your computer screen
Movavi Screen Recorder
Best for: recording your screen in HD
OS:
Windows, macOS
4.5 out of 5, 50 reviews
Movavi Screen Recorder is a great all-round app for capturing webinars and online calls, recording tutorials and video instructions, and capturing other screen actions. Besides recording videos, you can also take screenshots, including scrolling ones. The screen recorder also allows you to show your keyboard and mouse clicks in the recorded videos, which can be very useful when recording tutorials.
Features:
Screencapture.com
Best for: recording your screen without any additional software
OS:
any, web-based
4.8 out of 5, 1,031 reviews
If you want to simply record on the go without installing any additional software, then an online recorder is the best choice for you. Screencapture.com is an online video recorder that allows you to record your screen, audio, and your webcam. With this online tool, you can capture your activity without any downloads. Though if you’re the kind of person who prefers desktop apps, you will be happy to know that the desktop version offers a range of advanced features.
Tips for recording your computer screen
Firstly, you’ll want to spend some time deciding which screen-recording solution is the right one for you. Taking all of the information outlined above into consideration, take some time to list your wants and, more importantly, needs.
Consider what you will be using the screen-recording program for. Do you want to record tutorials or share information with your colleagues? Can you record HD videos with a program? Is there a way to add annotations to the videos?
Lastly, consider your budget. If you’re in need of a program that will allow regular screen recordings, lots of editing features, and different extras, you might want to invest some bucks to make it worth your while.
Best ways to screen-record on computer
Summary
Hopefully, this article helped you with choosing the right screen-recording method. You should now be equipped with enough information on different available recording programs, their pros and cons, and their features to make an informed decision on which one you want to try out first.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
To capture your screen with sound, try Movavi Screen Recorder:
Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder.
Download Movavi Screen Recorder
Open the Settings menu and adjust the recording parameters.
Enable System Audio if you would like to record sound.
If you want to capture your own voice and face, make sure to activate Microphone and Webcam.
Hit the REC button to start.
Press Stop to finish your recording. Click on the Export button to save your video.
Here are the shortcuts you can use to start recording:
Windows: Windows logo key + Alt + R
macOS: Control + Command + 5
Linux (Ubuntu): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R
ChromeOS: Shift + Ctrl + Show windows
On Windows, you can use the built-in Game Bar. Press Windows + G to activate the recording panel. Alternatively, use Movavi Screen Recorder – a powerful screen capture app that lets you draw on your recordings and export them in various formats.
Some websites might be able to detect screen capture if you’re recording with browser extensions and plugins. Most video conference apps notify participants if the recording is made using the app’s built-in tools. However, screen recording can’t be detected if you’re using third-party screen capture software.
Sure. Here’s a list of apps you can use to record your computer screen:
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