The simplest way to record your screen with sound
Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar that captures both video and audio without installing anything. On a Mac, the Screenshot app (built into macOS Monterey and newer) does the same thing. Both are free and work for recording presentations, tutorials, video calls, or anything else happening on your screen.
The trade-off is simplicity for features. These built-in tools record what you see and hear, but they do not let you edit the video afterward or add text overlays while recording. If you need those options, you will need a separate program. But if you just need to capture what is on your screen right now, your operating system already has what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and 11 have Xbox Game Bar built in; press Windows key + G to open it and start recording immediately.
- Mac users can open Screenshot from Spotlight search, click Options, and choose to record the whole screen or just one window.
- Your microphone audio records automatically, but you can mute it before you start if you do not want to record your voice.
- The video saves as an MP4 file in your Videos folder, and you can find it right away without hunting through settings.
- If the built-in tools do not have the features you need, free programs like OBS Studio and Camtasia offer more control over what gets recorded.
Recording on Windows with Xbox Game Bar
Open Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G at the same time. A black panel will appear on the right side of your screen with several buttons. Look for the red circle button labeled "Start recording" — it is usually the second button from the left.
Before you hit record, check that your microphone is on. You will see a microphone icon in the Game Bar panel. If it has a line through it, your audio will not record. Click it once to turn the microphone back on. Then click the red record button. A timer will appear on your screen showing how long you have been recording.
When you are done, press Windows key + G again to open the Game Bar, then click the red square button to stop. Your video automatically saves to your Videos folder as an MP4 file. You can find it by opening File Explorer, clicking Videos on the left, and looking for the file with today's date.
Recording on Mac with the Screenshot app
Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app. You will see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with five buttons. Click the second button from the right — it looks like a rectangle with a dot in the middle. This is the screen recording button.
A menu will appear asking whether you want to record the entire screen or just one window. Choose "Capture Entire Screen" if you want everything, or click a specific window if you only need to record that one. You will also see a microphone dropdown. Make sure it is set to your microphone if you want to record your voice, or set it to "None" if you do not.
Click the Record button. A red dot will appear in the menu bar at the top of your screen, showing that recording is active. When you are finished, click the red dot and choose "Stop Recording." Your video saves to your Downloads folder by default, but you can change where it goes before you start recording by clicking Options in the Screenshot toolbar.
What happens to your audio when you record
Both Windows and Mac record whatever sound your computer is playing — your voice through the microphone, system sounds, audio from videos or music, or all of it together. The audio and video stay in sync, so if you are talking while showing something on screen, both will line up when you play it back.
If you do not want your voice recorded, turn off your microphone before you start. On Windows, click the microphone icon in the Game Bar to mute it. On Mac, set the microphone dropdown to "None" in the Screenshot app. You can still record system audio (like a video playing) while keeping your microphone off.
Be aware that background noise — a fan, traffic outside, typing — will all be recorded. If you are recording a tutorial and want clean audio, close other programs, close windows, and record in a quiet space if you can.
Finding and playing your recorded video
On Windows, your video goes to your Videos folder automatically. Open File Explorer, click Videos on the left side, and you will see your recording with a name like "Clip_2024-01-15_14-32-45.mp4". The date and time in the filename tell you when it was recorded.
On Mac, your video goes to your Downloads folder by default. Open Finder, click Downloads, and look for a file with today's date. You can rename it to something more memorable by right-clicking it and choosing "Rename".
To play your video, double-click it. It will open in your default video player. You can then move it to a different folder, email it, upload it to the internet, or edit it with video editing software if you need to trim or add text.
When to use a separate recording program instead
The built-in tools work well for basic recording, but they have limits. They do not let you add text, arrows, or highlights while recording. They do not let you record only part of your screen and leave the rest out. They do not let you adjust audio levels or record from multiple sources at once.
If you need any of those features, download OBS Studio (free, works on Windows and Mac) or Camtasia (paid, but includes editing tools). OBS Studio is more powerful but has a steeper learning curve. Camtasia is simpler and includes a built-in video editor, but you have to pay for it after the trial period ends.
For most people recording a one-time presentation or tutorial, the built-in tools are enough. You record, save the file, and you are done. Only switch to a separate program if you find yourself wishing you could do something the built-in tool does not support.
Troubleshooting common recording problems
If your video has no sound, check that your microphone was turned on before you started recording. On Windows, open Game Bar and look at the microphone icon. On Mac, check that the microphone dropdown was set to something other than "None". If it was off, you will need to record again.
If your video is choppy or stutters, your computer may not have enough power to record and run other programs at the same time. Close web browsers, email, and other programs before you record. If you are recording a video game or graphics-heavy program, lower the screen resolution or close other tabs.
If you cannot find your video after recording, check your Videos folder (Windows) or Downloads folder (Mac). If it is not there, open your recording program and look for a settings or preferences option that shows where files are being saved. You may have accidentally changed the default location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record just one window instead of my whole screen?
On Mac, yes — the Screenshot app lets you choose to record one window. On Windows, Xbox Game Bar records your entire screen, but you can crop the video afterward using the Photos app or another video editor. If you need to record just one window on Windows, use OBS Studio instead.
What if I want to record my screen but not my microphone?
On Windows, click the microphone icon in the Game Bar to mute it before you start recording. On Mac, open the Screenshot app, click Options, and set the microphone to "None". System sounds will still record if they are playing.
How long can I record for?
Both Xbox Game Bar and Mac Screenshot can record for as long as your hard drive has space. There is no built-in time limit. A one-hour video takes up roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes of space, depending on your screen resolution and how much motion is happening.
Can I edit my video after I record it?
Yes. On Windows, use the Photos app (built in) or download a free editor like DaVinci Resolve. On Mac, use iMovie (built in) or Final Cut Pro. These let you trim the beginning and end, cut out mistakes, and add text or music. The built-in recording tools do not edit — they just capture.
What format does the video save in?
Both Windows and Mac save as MP4, which plays on almost any device and can be uploaded to YouTube, email, or shared drives. You do not need to convert it to a different format unless a specific program requires it.