How to Screen Record on Windows

1. Using Windows’ Built-In Tool: Xbox Game Bar

Honestly, I remember the first time I realized Windows had a built-in recorder. I thought it was some hidden developer trick — but no, it’s literally just sitting there waiting to be used.

How to start recording

1. Press Windows Key + G on your keyboard.
2. The Xbox Game Bar will pop up on your screen.
3. Look for the small panel labeled Capture.
4. Click the Record button (it looks like a solid circle).

You’ll see a small recording bar appear, usually in the corner of your screen. That’s how you know it’s really happening.

How to stop recording

When you’re done:

• Click the square Stop button in the small recording bar, or
• Press Windows Key + Alt + R.

Windows automatically saves your recordings to:

Videos > Captures

Things to know before you rely on Game Bar

• It can’t record everything — some windows block recording for security reasons.
• You can’t choose a specific part of the screen; it records the whole window.
• On older PCs, it may refuse to record if your hardware isn’t supported.

But for quick tutorials or showing someone how to do something, it works way better than most people expect.

2. Using Microsoft Clipchamp (Free Video Recorder & Editor)

If you’re running Windows 10 or 11, you might already have Clipchamp. If not, it’s available from Microsoft’s official store. The nice thing about Clipchamp is that it doesn’t just record — it lets you edit right after, which is perfect when you mess up mid-recording like I always do.

How to use Clipchamp to record your screen

1. Open Clipchamp (it should already be installed — if not, get it from the Microsoft Store).
2. Create a new video project.
3. Click the Record & create option on the left sidebar.
4. Select Screen recording.
5. Choose whether you want the screen only or screen + camera.
6. Select the window, browser tab, or full screen you want to record.
7. Hit Share to begin recording.

When you finish, Clipchamp loads your recording directly into a timeline where you can trim, cut, or add a little text if you’re feeling fancy.

Why Clipchamp is great

• You can record your webcam and screen together.
• It lets you pick exactly what part of the screen you want to record.
• You can edit right away without downloading another tool.

It does require permission to capture your screen, but it’s coming straight from Microsoft, so no shady surprises.

3. Using OBS Studio (For More Advanced Recording)

OBS Studio is the program I recommend when someone says, “I want high quality, no limits, and maybe even livestreaming one day.” It’s free and powerful, but to be fair, the interface can feel a bit intimidating the first time you open it.

You can download it from the official website:
OBS Studio (Official Site)

How to record your screen in OBS

1. Install OBS Studio and open it.
2. At the bottom, under Sources, click the + icon.
3. Select Display Capture (for full screen) or Window Capture (for a single app).
4. Choose the display or window you want to record.
5. Click Start Recording on the lower right.
6. When finished, click Stop Recording.

OBS saved recordings to:

Videos by default.

Who OBS is for

• You plan to record long videos.
• You want HD or even 4K recording.
• You want full control over audio, screen size, and overlays.
• You might do screen recording regularly.

4. A Quick Comparison to Help You Choose

If you’re unsure which tool makes sense for you, here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Xbox Game Bar: For fast, simple recording.
• Clipchamp: For recording + editing without stress.
• OBS Studio: For professional-level recordings.

5. Tips to Avoid Messy or Unusable Screen Recordings

I’ve been there — you finish a whole explanation only to realize your mic was off or the window you needed wasn’t captured. So here are a few things I learned the hard way.

1. Check your audio

If you’re speaking, make sure the right microphone is selected. For Game Bar, you can toggle mic recording on or off before hitting record.

2. Close unnecessary apps

Not just to avoid distractions, but also to protect your privacy. Notifications popping up in the middle of a recording are awkward.

3. Do a 5-second test recording

It takes almost no time, and it saves you from redoing everything if something went wrong.

4. Make sure you have storage space

Screen recordings, especially long ones, can take up more space than you expect.

6. Saving and Sharing Your Screen Recording

Once you’ve recorded your video, you’ll find it:

• Under Videos > Captures (for Xbox Game Bar)
• Inside Clipchamp’s project folder (if you used Clipchamp)
• In your Videos folder (for OBS)

You can upload it to Google Drive, email it, drop it in WhatsApp, or even edit it further if you want to polish things up.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy equipment or special software to screen record on Windows — once you know the right shortcuts, it becomes something you can do anytime without thinking about it. Whether you’re teaching someone how to use a program, capturing gameplay, or saving something important for later, you’ve got all the tools right at your fingertips.

And hey, if you ever need help choosing the right recording method for your situation, I’m always happy to talk through it. There’s always a simple way once you know where to look.