All available ways to show you how to record desktop in Windows 10.
If you wonder how to record the desktop in Windows 10 , in this article we show you all the available ways. We talk about the tools integrated into the system to capture what happens on the screen of your computer. But we will also take a look at some third-party applications that can help you with this task.
Index of contents
- How to record desktop in Windows 10 without installing third-party applications
- How the Xbox Game Bar works to record the desktop
- Best tools to record desktop in Windows 10
- iTop Screen Recorder Online
- APowerSoft
- OBS Studio
- Monosnap
- VLC
How to record desktop in Windows 10 without installing third-party applications
How to record desktop in Windows 10
Windows 10 includes a tool that allows you to easily record your desktop without installing any additional programs. It is called the game bar or Xbox Game Bar and is designed for all those users who play with their PC. This built-in utility confirms the close link between Windows and the Microsoft console . With it it is possible to record games and share them with others. However, the desktop recording of this utility package is suitable for all types of users, not only for those fans of video games.
Usually, you don’t need to activate the Xbox Game Bar to record desktop in Windows 10 . However, if for any reason in your case it is not enabled, follow the steps that we show you below.
- Access the Windows 10 settings.
- Open the Gamessection .
- Click on the Xbox Game Barsection .
- Make sure the slider is activated at the top.
In the same section you will find all the keyboard shortcuts to launch the different actions of the game bar. You can set the one you prefer in each case. If those that are defined by Microsoft seem good to you, take advantage of the list to memorize them.
As you have seen, to quickly open the game bar must use Win + G . And if you want to start recording directly, use Win + Alt + G . But how does Xbox game bar work to record desktop in Windows 10? In the next section we will tell you about it.
How the Xbox Game Bar works to record the desktop
Once the game bar has appeared by pressing Win + G (or by locating it in Windows search with the text “Xbox Game Bar”) in the upper right corner you will see the Capture window . It is in it that you must look to record what happens on your desktop. The capture button with the classic Rec icon is located there . Click on it to start recording the active window.
It is important to mention that, at least in the latest versions, the game bar only allows you to record specific windows on the desktop . In fact, when you try to use it with the desktop, a message appears indicating that the recording is not available. Something similar happens with Windows Explorer. In this way, this tool allows you to record the Windows 10 desktop , but delimiting the capture to a specific window.
When you have finished recording, press Win + G again and stop it using the Stop button . Then, use the Show All Captures button to view the files that contain the recording. If you click on the folder icon, the video files created from the desktop recording will be displayed in the file explorer.
Now you know how to record Windows 10 desktop without installing programs, or at least part of it. But there is one more thing that we must explain in this article. The Xbox game bar allows you to choose the source of the capture audio . Do it with the Audio window , in which you will find a mixer to choose which applications should sound during recording. You can also use the microphone to include an explanation of what is on the screen.
Best tools to record desktop in Windows 10
If the tool that Windows 10 includes to record the screen of your computer does not convince you, in the following sections we analyze some solutions from other developers. These third-party tools typically have several additional features for creating advanced snapshots.
iTop Screen Recorder Online
iTop Screen Recorder Online is a very complete recorder with a particularity: it works from the browser. Therefore, you will not have to install anything on your PC for it to work. In addition, that makes it compatible with other operating systems, in addition to Windows 10. The steps to take are very simple. First, use the Start Recording button to start recording. Select the recording mode. You can choose between three different ones: record the entire screen, record the window, and record the browser tabs. Finally, stop recording and download the file in WebM format, a type of file that makes it easy to share and upload video to the Internet. If this last detail is a problem, consider the free download of iTop Screen Recorder for Windows 10, which supports a greater number of output formats.
APowerSoft
APowerSoft offers a solution similar to the previous one. In fact, we have highlighted it as an alternative to iTop Screen Recorder Online. In this case, it also has an application for Windows 10, although if you want to avoid installing it, simply click on the Start recording button. Afterwards, it is only necessary to customize the recording mode and start the capture. Finally, the portal will allow you to download the screen recording or upload it to some of the most popular cloud storage services. As we said in the previous section, those looking for a more complete solution should download its program for Windows.
OBS Studio
You may have already heard something about this tool. OBS Studio is an open source project that is used mainly for editing live broadcast content. It is a very powerful application that includes a screen capturer among its utilities. However, in it you will find an infinity of very interesting functions, especially if you want to start broadcasting games from your computer live.
Monosnap
Monosnap is one of the most complete applications when it comes to capturing the computer screen. Allows you to do it statically, that is, in a similar way to the Print Screen function. However, it is also capable of creating video clips in which all screen movements are recorded. In addition, it will help you to store your captures in the cloud thanks to its integration with different platforms and to convert your videos into GIF animations.
VLC
VLC is an extremely versatile media player. In fact, it is so comprehensive that it includes a method to record the desktop in Windows 10 . As you may already know, it is a completely free and ad-free application. If, in addition to capturing the screen, you are thinking of playing a lot of multimedia files, this software is highly recommended.
