Last Updated on December 3, 2025
To record your screen on a PC, the method depends on your operating system. Here are concise steps for Windows and macOS, plus a third-party option:Windows 10/11:
- Use Xbox Game Bar:
- Press Win + G to open Game Bar.
- Click the “Record” button (or press Win + Alt + R).
- Stop recording via the same shortcut or the Game Bar. Videos save to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Videos\Captures.
- Note: Works for most apps but may not record File Explorer or desktop directly.
macOS:
- Use Screenshot Toolbar:
- Press Shift + Command + 5.
- Select “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion.”
- Click “Record.” Stop by clicking the stop icon in the menu bar.
- Recordings save to the desktop by default.
Third-Party Option (Cross-Platform):
- OBS Studio (Free, Windows/macOS/Linux):
- Download and install OBS Studio from obsproject.com.
- Open OBS, click “+” in the “Sources” panel, and select “Display Capture.”
- Click “Start Recording” in the Controls panel. Stop when done.
- Files save to a location you set in Settings > Output.
Tips:
- For basic needs, built-in tools (Game Bar or macOS Screenshot) are simplest.
- OBS Studio is better for advanced features like streaming or editing.
- Ensure you have enough disk space, as recordings can be large.
How to take a screenshot on a PC
To take a screenshot on a PC, the method depends on your operating system. Here are concise steps for Windows and macOS:Windows 10/11:
- Full Screen:
- Press PrtSc (Print Screen) to copy the entire screen to the clipboard. Paste into an app like Paint or Word (Ctrl + V).
- Or, press Win + PrtSc to save directly to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Pictures\Screenshots as a PNG file.
- Active Window:
- Press Alt + PrtSc to copy the active window. Paste into an app.
- Selected Area:
- Press Win + Shift + S. The screen dims, select an area to capture, and it copies to the clipboard. Paste as needed.
- Or, use Snipping Tool: Open via Start menu, click “New,” select area, and save/edit the screenshot.
macOS:
- Full Screen:
- Press Shift + Command + 3. Saves to desktop or clipboard (add Control to copy).
- Selected Area:
- Press Shift + Command + 4. Drag to select an area. Saves to desktop or clipboard (add Control).
- Active Window:
- Press Shift + Command + 4, then press Spacebar. Click the window. Saves to desktop or clipboard (add Control).
- Screenshot Toolbar:
- Press Shift + Command + 5, choose “Capture Entire Screen,” “Capture Selected Window,” or “Capture Selected Portion.” Saves to desktop or custom location.
Tips:
- Windows Snipping Tool or macOS Screenshot Toolbar offer basic editing/markup.
- For advanced editing, use third-party tools like Greenshot (Windows) or Skitch (macOS).
- Check save locations in settings if files don’t appear.
The best free screen recorders for Windows
Here are some of the best free screen recorders for Windows, focusing on ease of use, features, and no watermarks. These options cater to various needs like tutorials, gaming, or webinars:
- OBS Studio:
- Features: Open-source, no watermarks, supports full-screen, window, or region recording, webcam overlay, system and microphone audio, and live streaming. Highly customizable with overlays, hotkeys, and multiple sources. Ideal for gamers and professionals.
- Pros: Free, no time limits, high-performance for HD gameplay and streaming. Supports multiple platforms (Twitch, YouTube).
- Cons: Steep learning curve, lacks built-in editing tools.
- Best For: Advanced users, gamers, and streamers needing robust features.
OBS Studio – image
- ScreenRec:
- Features: Lightweight, no watermarks, records screen, webcam, system audio, and microphone. Offers 2GB free cloud storage for instant sharing. Supports MP4 output and screenshot capture.
- Pros: Simple interface, instant uploads, secure with 128-bit AES encryption. No time limits.
- Cons: Limited editing features, requires internet for cloud features.
- Best For: Quick recordings and business communication.
- ShareX:
- Features: Open-source, no watermarks, supports full-screen, window, or custom region recording. Includes screenshot tools, workflow automation, and GIF export. Records system and microphone audio.
- Pros: Highly customizable, lightweight, no time limits. Great for casual users.
- Cons: Limited video editing, less intuitive for beginners.
- Best For: Users needing simple recordings with automation.
- ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic):
- Features: No watermarks, records screen, webcam, or both, with microphone audio. Free version allows up to 15-minute recordings. Includes basic editing (trimming, annotations) and virtual backgrounds.
- Pros: Intuitive, cross-platform (Windows, Mac, mobile), no account needed for basic use.
- Cons: Free version limits recording time and adds a branded outro.
- Best For: Quick tutorials and casual content creation.
- Windows Xbox Game Bar:
- Features: Built into Windows 10/11, no watermarks, records apps or games (not full desktop). Supports microphone and system audio. Saves to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Videos\Captures.
- Pros: No installation needed, simple to use (Win + G to open, Win + Alt + R to record).
- Cons: Can’t record desktop or File Explorer, limited customization.
- Best For: Basic app or game recording without extra software.
Recommendations:
- For beginners or quick recordings: ScreenRec or ScreenPal for their simplicity and no watermarks.
- For gaming/streaming: OBS Studio for its advanced features and high performance.
- For screenshots and automation: ShareX for its versatility.
- For built-in solution: Xbox Game Bar for hassle-free, basic recording.
Tips:
- Check system requirements (e.g., Xbox Game Bar needs compatible video cards).
- Test a few tools to match your use case (tutorials, gaming, etc.).
- Ensure sufficient disk space for recordings.
The best online screen recorders
Here are some of the best free online screen recorders for Windows, focusing on ease of use, no watermarks, and no software downloads. These are ideal for quick recordings like tutorials, meetings, or presentations, with key features highlighted:
- Screencapture.com:
- Features: Records screen, webcam, system audio, and microphone. No watermark, no time limit, supports MP4 downloads. Browser-based (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox), no signup required. Offers instant cloud sharing with 2GB free storage.
- Pros: Simple interface, secure with 128-bit AES encryption, no installation needed. Great for quick, hassle-free recordings.
- Cons: Limited editing features, requires internet for cloud sharing.
- Best For: Beginners and professionals needing fast recordings for tutorials or troubleshooting.
- Features: Records screen, webcam, system audio, and microphone. No watermark, no time limit, supports MP4 downloads. Browser-based (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox), no signup required. Offers instant cloud sharing with 2GB free storage.
- Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder:
- Features: Captures full screen, window, or tab, with webcam and audio (mic/system). Supports multiple formats (MP4, AVI, WMV, etc.). One-click sharing to YouTube or cloud. Basic annotations during recording.
- Pros: No time limit, easy to use, no watermark. Suitable for webinars and video lessons.
- Cons: Requires launcher download for first use. No advanced editing. System audio on Mac requires desktop version.
- Best For: Teachers and professionals creating video content without complex editing.
- Features: Captures full screen, window, or tab, with webcam and audio (mic/system). Supports multiple formats (MP4, AVI, WMV, etc.). One-click sharing to YouTube or cloud. Basic annotations during recording.
- ScreenPal Online Recorder:
- Features: Records screen, webcam, or both, with mic audio. No watermark, 15-minute recording limit per video, unlimited recordings. MP4 (Chrome/Edge) or WEBM (Firefox) output. Basic editing (trimming, annotations) and virtual backgrounds.
- Pros: User-friendly, no account needed, supports fun effects during recording. Free hosting with secure links.
- Cons: 15-minute limit per recording, premium features (like system audio) require paid desktop version.
- Best For: Quick screencasts for education or team sharing.
- Features: Records screen, webcam, or both, with mic audio. No watermark, 15-minute recording limit per video, unlimited recordings. MP4 (Chrome/Edge) or WEBM (Firefox) output. Basic editing (trimming, annotations) and virtual backgrounds.
- Panopto Express:
- Features: Browser-based, no watermark, no time limits. Records screen, webcam, and audio (mic/system). Supports multi-stream recording (multiple cameras/screens). Share via YouTube, Google Classroom, or direct links.
- Pros: No downloads, no signup, enterprise-grade quality. Ideal for lectures and demos.
- Cons: Limited editing features, requires stable internet.
- Best For: Educators and businesses needing reliable, unrestricted recordings.
- Features: Browser-based, no watermark, no time limits. Records screen, webcam, and audio (mic/system). Supports multi-stream recording (multiple cameras/screens). Share via YouTube, Google Classroom, or direct links.
- Canva Screen Recorder:
- Features: Records screen, webcam, or both, with audio. No watermark, 15-minute limit. Integrates with Canva’s design tools for adding recordings to presentations. Supports MP4 export, auto-captions, and basic editing (trimming, effects). Works on Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox.
- Pros: Seamless integration with Canva, great for presentations and social media content.
- Cons: 15-minute limit, not available in India, limited editing compared to standalone tools.
- Best For: Content creators combining recordings with graphic design.
- Features: Records screen, webcam, or both, with audio. No watermark, 15-minute limit. Integrates with Canva’s design tools for adding recordings to presentations. Supports MP4 export, auto-captions, and basic editing (trimming, effects). Works on Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox.
Recommendations:
- For simplicity and no setup: Screencapture.com or Panopto Express for instant, no-download recording.
- For presentations with design: Canva for its integration with design tools.
- For educators or tutorials: Apowersoft or ScreenPal for ease and sharing options.
- For long recordings: Panopto Express or Screencapture.com, as they have no time limits.
Tips:
- Ensure a stable internet connection, as these are web-based tools.
- Check browser compatibility (Chrome or Edge often perform best).
- For advanced editing or offline use, consider desktop alternatives like OBS Studio or ScreenRec (noted in prior responses).