Record Your Screen on Windows 10

Whether you’re creating tutorials, capturing gameplay, or recording a video call, Windows 10 offers built‑in tools and a variety of third‑party applications to help you capture high‑quality video. In this guide, we walk through the simplest way to record your screen, and we highlight the top free and paid screen recorders available in 2024.

Built‑In Windows 10 Screen Recording

Windows 10 ships with the Xbox Game Bar, a lightweight tool that can capture the entire screen or just a single window. To launch it, press Win + G and then click the Capture icon. If you’re using a full‑screen application, simply hit Win + Alt + R to start recording.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Record Your Screen

1. Open the app or window you want to record.
2. Press Win + G to open the Game Bar. If it prompts you to enable gaming features, confirm.
3. Click the Start Recording button (or press Win + Alt + R).
4. Perform your screen activity. The Game Bar shows a countdown before the recording begins.
5. When finished, press Win + Alt + R again or click the stop button.
6. Find your video. It is saved automatically to the Captures folder inside Videos.

Best Screen Recorders for Windows 10 in 2024

Below is a curated list of the most reliable screen recording solutions—both free and premium—ranked by usability, feature set, and overall value.

• OBS Studio (Free) – Powerful, open‑source software ideal for streaming and advanced editing.
• ShareX (Free) – Lightweight, supports screen capture, annotation, and direct uploads.
• Camtasia (Paid) – Comprehensive editor with intuitive drag‑and‑drop tools.
• Bandicam (Paid) – High‑compression video output for gaming and tutorials.
• NVIDIA ShadowPlay (Free with GPU) – Seamless capture for NVIDIA users with minimal performance hit.

Choosing the Right Tool for You

If you need a quick demo, the built‑in Game Bar suffices. For content creators who require editing, Camtasia or OBS Studio is preferable. For gamers looking for minimal impact, NVIDIA ShadowPlay or Bandicam is recommended.

Regardless of your choice, recording your screen on Windows 10 is straightforward once you know the shortcuts and the right tool.

For more in‑depth reviews, visit our full list of the 13 best screen recorders in 2024.