How to record your screen for free
Screen recordings are the quickest way to show someone how to do something, report a bug, or save a presentation. Modern browsers can record the screen directly, so you do not need to install any software.
Start a recording
- Open the Screen Recorder.
- Start the recording. Your browser asks what to share: the whole screen, one window, or one tab.
- Choose what to share and confirm. Recording begins.
- Stop when you are finished, then preview and download the recording.
Recording happens inside your browser and the video stays on your device.
Tips for clear recordings
- Close notifications and private tabs before you begin, since everything on the shared screen is recorded.
- Share just the window you need rather than the whole screen.
- Do a short test first to check the picture and sound.
Tidy up afterwards
- Cut the start and end: Trim Video.
- Keep only the sound: Video to MP3.
- Need narration on its own? Use the Voice Recorder.
Plan the recording in a minute
- Decide the one thing the viewer should be able to do or understand when the video ends.
- Open only the tabs and windows you need, and close the rest.
- Note the steps in order, so you do not hunt for things while recording.
- Do a ten-second test to check the picture and the sound.
Short recordings are easier to watch and to share. If a task takes ten minutes, consider making two clips.
Sound and privacy
You are asked for permission before sound is captured, and what is possible depends on your browser and operating system. Sharing a single window or tab is the safest option, because notifications from other apps then stay out of the video. Before you share a recording, watch it through once for anything private, such as email subjects or open tabs.
The saved file
The recording is saved as a WebM file on your device, which plays in modern browsers and most media players. If an editing program or messaging app does not accept WebM, convert it with the Video Converter. To make it smaller for sharing, use Compress Video, and to cut the start and end, use Trim Video.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work on phones?
Screen capture from the browser is mainly supported on computers. Phones usually have a built-in recorder in their settings.
Very long recordings?
Long recordings use a lot of memory on your device, so shorter clips are more reliable.
Where is the recording stored?
On your device only. Nothing is uploaded.
Why can I not record sound from my computer?
Capturing system or tab sound depends on your browser and operating system. Sharing a browser tab and ticking its audio option works in several browsers.
Does it work on a phone?
Screen capture in the browser is mainly for computers. Phones have a built-in screen recorder in their settings.
How big will the file be?
It depends on the length and on how much moves on the screen. A busy screen makes a bigger file, so keep clips short.