How to Record Your Computer Screen

A short screen recording can explain a problem or a process far better than a long written message. Whether you want to show a relative how to use an app, walk a colleague through a spreadsheet or record a presentation, both Windows and Mac computers can do it without any extra software. Here is how to get a clean recording first time.

Get Ready Before You Hit Record

• Close apps and browser tabs you do not need, and hide anything private on your desktop.
• Turn on do not disturb or focus mode so pop-up notifications do not appear in the video.
• If you plan to talk, use a headset or external microphone if you have one, and find a quiet room.
• Jot down the few points you want to cover so you do not ramble.

Recording on Windows

Recent versions of Windows include screen recording in the Snipping Tool.

1. Open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu and switch it from screenshot mode to video mode, shown by a camera icon.
2. Click New and drag to select the area of the screen you want to capture.
3. Choose whether to include your microphone or system sound if those options appear, then click Start. A short countdown begins.
4. Click Stop when you are finished. Preview the recording, then save it as a video file.

Windows also has the Game Bar, opened with Windows key + G, which records a single app window. Despite the name, it works with most ordinary programs, though not with the desktop itself or File Explorer.

Recording on a Mac

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot and recording toolbar.
2. Choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion.
3. Click Options to pick a microphone, set a timer and choose where the file will be saved.
4. Click Record. To finish, click the stop button in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

The built-in QuickTime Player app can also start a new screen recording from its File menu and is handy for trimming the start and end afterwards.

Tips for a Recording People Will Watch

1. Keep it short. Several focused two-minute videos are easier to follow than one long one.
2. Move the mouse slowly and pause briefly before each click so viewers can keep up.
3. Zoom in on small text using your browser or app zoom so it is readable on smaller screens.
4. Do a ten-second test to check your microphone level before recording the real thing.

Sharing Your Video

Screen recordings can be large files, so trim any dead time at the beginning and end using the built-in video editor or player on your computer. To share, upload the file to a cloud storage service and send a link rather than attaching it to an email. Finally, watch it back once before you share it, checking that nothing personal, such as an email address, password or notification, slipped into the frame.