If you want to record your screen on Windows 10 but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. Read on to learn how to record the screen on Windows 10 in two different ways.
Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder
Our special pick for hassle-free recordings on your PC is Movavi Screen Recorder. Use this program to easily record your whole screen or only a part of it, as well as capture your webcam video and microphone. During the recording process, you can also draw on your videos, which is perfect for creating tutorials. Overall, the program is a great choice for recording your Windows 10 screen.
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How to enable Game Bar
Is there a way to record a screen without installing any additional software? Sure! Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro users can make a video recording for free using the built-in Xbox Game Bar. This is especially useful for gamers who want to share their gameplay online or with friends, but it can also be used for professional purposes.
Before using Game Bar to screen-record on your PC with Windows 10, you need to enable it. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Open your PC settings
Boot up your Windows 10 PC and click on the Start menu in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Then, click on the cogwheel icon to open your PC settings.
Step 2. Turn on Xbox Game Bar
From the PC settings menu, select Gaming from the list of options. A new page will open up with a bunch of different gaming-related settings. Select Xbox Game Bar on the left side, then toggle the switch to On on the right. Game Bar can now record a video on your PC with Windows 10.
How to set up Game Bar for screen recording
While Game Bar is already turned on, it may not be ready yet to screen-capture a video on Windows 10. You may need to configure some settings first.
Follow the instructions below to set up Game Bar for recording your screen.
Step 1. Go to your PC settings
From the main desktop on your Windows 10 PC, pull up the Start menu and click on the Settings cog. Then, click on the Gaming section from the menu that appears.
Step 2. Open the Captures tab
In the Gaming menu, you’ll see a list of tabs on the left panel. Click on Captures. This will take you to the screen-recording settings for Game Bar.
Step 3. Adjust your settings
The Captures section gives you several settings to adjust. You can choose the folder location where your screen captures will save, set a maximum recording length for a clip, and adjust the audio, frame rate, and video quality. You can also opt to turn on background recording, a feature that monitors the last few moments of gameplay so that you can capture a moment before it passes.
How to screen-record on Windows 10
Now that Game Bar is set up, it is ready for screen video capture on Windows 10. Game Bar is one of the best ways to record your screen with sound, since it’s pretty simple to use. Learn how to screen-record on Windows 10 by following these steps.
Step 1. Open Game Bar
There are two ways you can activate Game Bar for video recording. First, you can launch the app by pressing Windows key + G. This will bring up the recording panel.
This other way is quicker. Open up the program or the browser tab you want to record. When it’s ready, hit the Windows key + Alt + R. This will automatically start your recording. You will know it’s recording by the widget that appears after you press the shortcut key.
If you opt to go the first way, proceed to the next steps.
Step 2. Adjust recording options
If you want to record your screen on Windows 10 with audio from the mic, you can do so through the Game Bar’s recording panel. Click on the microphone icon to enable this. You can also take a screenshot with the app by pressing the camera icon.
Before hitting the Record button, ensure your video game, browser tab, or program is prepared.
Step 3. Record your Windows 10 screen
To record your PC screen on Windows 10, go to the Game Bar’s recording panel again and click the circle with the dot icon. Or, as mentioned earlier, simply hit Windows key + Alt + R on your keyboard. The app will keep recording until you press Stop. With this step done, you’ve successfully learned how to capture a video on Windows 10!
Game Bar limitations
With all the conveniences that Game Bar provides to Windows 10 users, the built-in app does have some limitations. Consider these before you use it:
Can you record all programs on Windows 10? Unfortunately, Game Bar cannot capture activities on File Explorer, desktop, and several other older programs.
Game Bar can only record one screen at a time. If you plan to record a video of something happening on multiple screens, you'll need to start and stop the recording for each screen.
Game Bar has no pause option and only provides basic editing capabilities.
If these limitations prevent you from making the screen recording you need, it is best to look for a more suitable software.
How to record a video on Windows 10 with Movavi Screen Recorder
So, what is a good alternative to Game Bar? Movavi Screen Recorder is our recommended pick for screen recording on Windows 10. Movavi Screen Recorder is a user-friendly tool that can capture your whole screen plus your webcam window. It can also record both internal and external audio. Furthermore, it features a few editing functionalities you can use before exporting your video.
Here’s how to record a video on Windows 10 using Movavi Screen Recorder:
Step 1. Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder
Download the installation file to your computer and install the program following the on-screen instructions.
Step 2. Configure your screen-recording settings
A small panel will appear on your screen to indicate that Movavi Screen Recorder is open. Access Preferences by clicking on the cogwheel icon.
Here, you can adjust various settings, including keyboard shortcuts and file locations. If you want to change the capture settings, click on the Video tab. This menu will allow you to configure the video frame rate and audio quality.
If you want to set up your webcam, visit the Web Camera menu. Select the camera you want to activate, plus the resolution, frame rate, and video size.
Step 3. Capture a video
When everything is set, you’re ready to record the desktop on Windows 10! Go back to the small recording panel and click the video camera icon. Then drag the capture area to your preferred spot. Hit the red Record button when you’re done.
When you’re finished recording your video and audio, click the Stop button. Now you know how to take a video using Movavi Screen Recorder!
Summary
Learning how to record your screen on Windows 10 is easy, thanks to the availability of the built-in Game Bar and user-friendly screen recorders, like Movavi Screen Recorder. Each software has its merits, so it’s best to try each one and see which works better for you.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows 10 have a screen recorder?
Yes, Windows 10 comes with a screen recorder tool – Xbox Game Bar. You can also download screen-recording software with more features, like Movavi Screen Recorder.
How do I record my screen on Windows 10?
You can record your screen and audio with Movavi Screen Recorder. Here are the steps:
Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder.
Download Movavi Screen RecorderSet the recording parameters.
Adjust the recording frame.
Hit the REC button to record your screen with audio.
How do I record my screen on Windows 10 without software?
If you don’t want to download any software, the easiest way to record your screen is to use the built-in Game Bar. Here’s how to use the tool:
Enable Game Bar from the PC settings.
Adjust the recording settings.
Press Windows + Alt + R to record a video.
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