How to record computer screen, laptop with sound, video editing

There are plenty of reasons to record your computer screen, laptop, such as recording gameplay, capturing videos via webcam to document your actions. This article compiles methods for recording computer screen videos on Windows 10, 11 without additional software. Stay tuned.

How to record computer screen, PC, laptop, Macbook

There are many screen recording software options for you to choose from, such as Bandicam, Camtasia Studio, or CamStudio. Let's follow the content below to see the strengths and weaknesses of these software programs.

I. List of computer screen recording software

1. Camtasia Studio 

Camtasia Studio is one of the first names that comes to mind when talking about computer screen recording software. Having been around for nearly two decades and attracting tens of millions of users, Camtasia has proven itself as powerful screen recording and video editing software, worthy of user trust. Camtasia allows you to record your screen with 3 simple steps.

First, capture everything happening on your computer screen including audio and visuals such as video calls, websites, or PowerPoint presentations.

After recording the computer screen on Win 10, 11, you can edit the video by: adding annotations, text, transition effects, video effects, trimming and merging videos, or adding music or audio effects from the available royalty-free sound library, and inserting graphics with the built-in video editor.

Finally, upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, Screencast... Camtasia allows you to record the entire screen, region, window, or specific application and ensures high-quality audio in your video with excellent noise reduction capabilities. You can try it for free for 30 days before deciding to purchase Camtasia for $249.

Advantages:
- Supports full-screen or selected area recording.
- Export videos in various formats: MP4, WMV, AVI, GIF, M4A.
- Supports video editing after recording the computer screen on Windows: Cut, merge, add copyrighted video - audio effects, text,...
- Share on social networks: Facebook, Youtube,...

Disadvantages:
- 30-day trial.
- Poor performance in recording games (suitable for lightweight games).

Minimum system requirements for installing Camtasia:

Download Camtasia Studio screen recording software here:
=> Download Camtasia Studio
=> Download Camtasia Studio for Mac

Read more: How to record screen videos with Camtasia Studio

2. Bandicam - Game recording software for PC

Perhaps users record their computer screen while gaming, creating tutorial videos, or YouTube videos are familiar with the name Bandicam. Bandicam is a lightweight screen recording software for computers, allowing users to record their screen, computer audio, and microphone simultaneously in 4K Ultra HD quality.

The great thing about Bandicam is that it offers 3 different computer screen recording modes: recording the screen with options to record a rectangular area on the screen, select a recording area, full screen and around the mouse pointer; game recording mode; and device recording mode which allows you to record external video devices such as Webcam, Xbox, smartphone...

You can record your computer screen by simultaneously adding arrows, shapes, numbers, or markers while recording in Screen Recording mode, especially useful for tutorial videos. You can download Bandicam for free with a screen recording limit of 10 minutes or purchase for $39.95 to record continuous screen videos for 24 hours and enjoy many other features.

Advantages:
- Supports high-quality 4K computer screen recording, gaming videos at 120 fps.
- Maximum noise reduction capability to provide the best audio quality.
- Supports annotations, arrows, shapes insertion while recording the screen.
- Customizable formats, codecs...

Disadvantages:
- Paid, Watermark on videos with the free version.
- No built-in video editing tools.

Minimum system requirements to install Bandicam screen recording software:
- OS: Windows Vista/7/8/10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+
- RAM: 512 MB RAM or more
- Storage: 1 GB or more
- VGA: 800x600 16bit color

Download Bandicam screen recording software here:
=> Download Bandicam

More: How to record screen with Bandicam

3. OBS Studio - Free screen recording software

OBS Studio is regarded as one of the best free screen recording software for PC, especially for gamers and streamers. OBS Studio supports both live streaming and high-quality screen recording, with no limits on the number or duration of recorded videos.

You can livestream your gaming sessions to Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Live. This open-source screen recording software offers various customization options to ensure the optimal screen recording and live streaming experience. These settings include the ability to combine multiple sources with custom transitions, use audio/video filters, and editing tools...

Additionally, you can set hotkeys for most actions, including switching between scenes, starting or stopping recording and streaming, muting audio input... Moreover, OBS Studio can fully utilize multi-core CPUs to enhance performance and can record your screen at 60FPS (or even higher). OBS Studio is 100% free and supports numerous plugins and extensions.

Advantages:
- Incorporate Webcam, images (add frames and effects) at customizable positions.
- Add text: Uppercase, lowercase, color, and scrolling text effects.
- No watermark and no recording time limits.
- Support for recording games (e.g., Age of Empires, League of Legends, ..) and live streaming on social media platforms: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Live...
- Provide Audio Mixer, noise reduction filters, and noise suppression.
- Unlimited screen recording time.

Disadvantages:
- Relatively challenging for inexperienced users.

Minimum system requirements to install OBS screen recording software:
- OS: Windows 8/8.1/10
- CPU: AMD FX or Intel Core i5 2000 series
- RAM: 4GB
- DirectX 10

Download OBS Studio for live screen recording here:
=> Download OBS
=> Download OBS Studio for Mac

For Windows 11, you can use Settings to rotate the screen easily instead of installing these software solutions.

Read more: How to rotate screen in Windows 11

4. ActivePresenter - Screen Recording Software for Windows 10

In addition to screen recording functionality, ActivePresenter also features video and audio editing capabilities to give us the perfect videos.

Download ActivePresenter screen recording software here:
=> Download ActivePresenter
=> Download ActivePresenter for Mac

5. CamStudio - Screen Recording Software for Laptop

One of the advantages of CamStudio is its cost-effectiveness, as it is free to use and enables users to record screen activities effortlessly. Renowned for its capability in screen recording, CamStudio offers various recording modes and audio options to produce high-quality videos. Additionally, it integrates editing features such as text overlay, annotations, and audio insertion.

For the latest version of CamStudio for PC screen recording, check out the following download link:

=> Download CamStudio here.

Explore more: How to record screen with CamStudio

II. Utilizing OBS Studio Software

* Prerequisites: OBS software installed on your computer system

Step 1: Once OBS studio installation is completed, launch the screen recording software and configure settings directly from the interface.

Step 2: Right-click on the black background > select Add > then choose Display Capture to allow OBS studio to capture the screen you are displaying.

Step 6: After configuring everything, simply press Start Recording to capture your computer screen using OBS Studio or utilize shortcut keys while in-game as set up earlier.

Step 7: To conclude recording your computer screen with OBS Studio, you can press Stop Recording or use the shortcut keys as configured.

Step 8: Typically, after recording gameplay videos with OBS Studio, the system will automatically save these files. You can navigate to the C drive > Your user name > Videos directory to find these videos. These videos usually have a .FLV format.

Step 9: Upon playback, you will see all your actions while recording your computer screen using OBS Studio in the aforementioned steps.

Additionally, there are several screen recording software options you might consider:

Cute Screen Recorder Free: This tool allows you to capture your screen and attach audio files to your videos. You can also adjust output settings for the best video quality.
Screenr: Screenr.com is an online service that enables you to record your computer screen with just one click, although it has a limitation of recording up to 5 minutes. However, you can record online anytime without needing to log in.
Click & ShareIt: Capture your screen and voice with just one click.
 

III. How to Record Screen Video without Software

1. Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar offers the advantage of being user-friendly with high-quality video output. Additionally, this computer screen recording software supports screen capturing, recording Windows 10 screen with sound, and works seamlessly across installed apps and software on your computer. You can even record screen video of popular browsers like Chrome or Firefox, and more. 

For detailed instructions on how to record screen video on Windows 10 using Xbox Game Bar, readers can visit here.

Read more: How to Record Screen Video on Windows 10 with Xbox Game Bar

2. PowerPoint

Moving on to PowerPoint. The best part about this screen recording software is that it's FREE, and you can easily capture your computer screen with just a few incredibly simple steps. 

Read more: How to record screen with PowerPoint

3. Another Method

Besides Xbox Game Bar and PowerPoint, we can also utilize other screen recording tools on Windows 10 without the need for installing additional third-party software. Check it out here.

Read more: How to record screen without software

It may surprise many that on Windows 10, there are built-in screen recording tools available without relying on third-party software or assistance. Two of these tools include Xbox Game Bar and Microsoft PowerPoint.