How To Screen Record on Windows PC For FREE (FAST & EASY) - OBS Studio Tutorial
Learn how to screen record on a Windows PC for free with OBS Studio. This easy tutorial shows you how to capture your screen, webcam, mic, and computer audio.
Key Takeaways
Screen recording on a Windows PC doesn't require expensive software. You can record your screen, webcam, microphone, and internal computer audio entirely for free using OBS Studio.
Whether you are making tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing presentations, this guide will walk you through exactly how to set up OBS Studio to create high-quality screen recordings with simple keyboard shortcuts.
Step 1: Download and Install OBS Studio
To get started, you need to download the recording software. Head over to OBS Studio and download the Windows version. Once the download is complete, install the program and launch it on your PC.
Step 2: Configure Your Settings
Before you start recording, it is crucial to tell OBS where to save your files, what quality to record in, and which audio devices to use. Click on in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
FAQ
Is OBS Studio completely free for screen recording on a Windows PC?
Yes, OBS Studio is entirely free software. It allows you to record high-quality video, including your screen, webcam, microphone, and internal computer audio, without needing to purchase an expensive license.
How do I record both my microphone and internal computer audio at the same time?
In OBS Studio, open your Settings, navigate to the tab, and set both and to . To ensure your voice is heard clearly, check the Audio Mixer panel and slide the Desktop Audio volume down slightly so it doesn't drown out your microphone.
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Download and install OBS Studio for a completely free way to capture your screen, webcam, microphone, and internal computer audio.
Configure your Output settings to save files in the MP4 format on High Quality for universal video compatibility.
Assign custom Hotkeys (like F10) to seamlessly start and stop recordings without keeping the OBS application visible on your screen.
Use the Sources panel to add a Display Capture for your screen (enable Force SDR if using an HDR monitor) and a Video Capture Device for your webcam.
Right-click the video preview to Resize output (source size) and configure your scaled video resolution to 1920x1080 (HD) for perfectly framed recordings.
Balance your Audio Mixer by slightly lowering your desktop volume and ensuring your microphone stays below 0 dB (the red zone) to prevent audio distortion.
Settings
Output Settings
Navigate to the Output tab.
Set your Recording Path to a folder where you want your videos saved (e.g., your Windows "Videos" folder).
Change the Recording Quality to High Quality.
Change the Recording Format to MP4. This is the most universal video format and will be supported by almost any video editor or media player.
Under Video Encoder, choose H264 if it is available. If you have an older computer without a dedicated graphics card, you can safely select the Software option instead.
Audio Settings
Navigate to the Audio tab.
Set your Desktop Audio and Mic/Auxiliary Audio to Default.
Troubleshooting Tip: If you have multiple microphones plugged into your computer and your sound isn't working, you can use the dropdown menus here to select a specific microphone device manually.
Hotkeys
Navigate to the Hotkeys tab.
Set a keyboard shortcut for Start Recording and Stop Recording.
Using a key like F10 is highly recommended because it is easy to remember and allows you to start and stop recordings without having the OBS window visible on your screen.
Click OK to save all of your settings.
Step 3: Add Your Video Sources
When you first open OBS, you will start with an empty scene. You need to tell the software exactly what visuals you want to capture.
Capturing Your Screen (Display Capture)
Under the Sources panel, click the + (plus) icon.
Select Display Capture and click OK.
Keep the Capture Method set to Automatic and choose your primary monitor.
Color Correction Tip: If you have an HDR display, your preview might look a little hazy. Simply check the Force SDR box to correct the colors for OBS, then click OK.
Adding a Webcam (Video Capture Device)
If you want to include your face in the recording:
Click the + icon under Sources again.
Choose Video Capture Device and click OK.
Select your connected webcam from the dropdown menu and click OK.
You can click and drag your webcam feed to place it anywhere on your screen and use the corners to resize it.
Step 4: Adjust Video Output Resolution
To ensure your video scales perfectly to your screen dimensions, right-click anywhere in the main video preview area, select Resize output (source size), and click Yes. You should now see your entire screen perfectly framed within the OBS window.
Next, you need to confirm your final saved video resolution:
Open Settings and navigate to the Video tab.
Set your Output (Scaled) Resolution.
1920x1080 (HD) is highly recommended and perfectly fine for most users.
3840x2160 (4K) can be selected if your monitor supports it and you specifically need 4K content, but keep in mind that the resulting file size will be four times larger.
Click OK.
Step 5: Check Your Audio Mixer
Before you hit record, take a look at the Audio Mixer panel at the bottom of the screen.
Balance Your Audio: If you are recording your voice alongside internal computer audio (like a video or game), slide your Desktop Audio volume down a bit. This ensures your voice isn't drowned out by your computer's audio.
Prevent Audio Clipping: Speak into your microphone and watch the Mic audio levels. Ensure the volume meter isn't cutting into the red zone when you talk. If it exceeds 0 dB, your audio will "clip" and sound distorted.
Step 6: Start Recording and View Your File
You are finally ready to record!
Press your chosen hotkey (e.g., F10) or click the Start Recording button in OBS. Minimize OBS, proceed with your tutorial or presentation, and let OBS capture your screen, microphone, and internal audio simultaneously.
When you are finished, press F10 to stop recording. To watch your newly created video, open your Windows File Explorer, navigate to the folder you chose in Step 2 (e.g., the Videos folder), and double-click your MP4 file to play it in your media player.
Summary of OBS Screen Recording Steps
If you need a quick reference guide, follow this checklist to get up and running fast:
Step
Action
Description
1
Download & Install
Get OBS Studio from obsproject.com
2
Output Settings
Set path to "Videos", Quality to "High", Format to "MP4"
3
Audio Settings
Set Desktop Audio and Mic to "Default"
4
Hotkeys
Assign a key (like F10) to Start and Stop recording
5
Display Capture
Add Source > Display Capture (Check "Force SDR" if using an HDR monitor)
Add Source > Video Capture Device (Resize and position as needed)
9
Mix Audio
Lower Desktop audio slightly; ensure Mic audio doesn't hit the red (0 dB)
10
Record!
Press your Hotkey to start, and press it again to stop
What's Next?
Now that you know how to record your screen like a pro, you might be looking for ways to edit and enhance your content. To learn about the best free resources for making video content, check out this video next: 10 of the Best Free Tools You Can Use to Create Videos for YouTube.
Audio
Desktop Audio
Mic/Auxiliary Audio
Default
What is the best video format to use for saving my screen recordings?
It is highly recommended to set your Recording Format to MP4 in the OBS Output settings. MP4 is the most universal video format, meaning it will be seamlessly supported by almost any video editor, media player, or online platform.
Why does my screen capture look hazy or washed out in OBS?
If your display monitor supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), OBS might struggle to process the colors by default, resulting in a hazy preview. To fix this, double-click your Display Capture source and check the Force SDR box to properly correct the colors.
Should I screen record in 1080p or 4K resolution?
Setting your Output Resolution to 1920x1080 (HD) is highly recommended and perfectly fine for most content. You can choose 3840x2160 (4K) if your monitor supports it and you specifically need ultra-high-definition footage, but be aware that 4K video files will be roughly four times larger.
How do I prevent my microphone audio from sounding distorted?
To prevent distorted or "clipping" audio, speak into your microphone while monitoring the Audio Mixer at the bottom of the OBS window. Make sure your microphone's volume meter does not cross into the red zone (exceeding 0 dB).
What are the best free tools to edit my screen recordings?
