Complete Guide to the Best Screen Recording Programs

Screen recording programs allow you to create detailed videos of the activities performed on your device's display, with or without audio. This feature is useful for showing your work, explaining operations remotely, or reviewing what you've done later.

There are numerous solutions, some already integrated into the operating systems of computers, smartphones, and tablets, others available online. These tools are particularly useful for technical users, IT professionals, trainers, and anyone who needs to create tutorials, demonstrations, or screen activity recordings.

• Technical users: to document processes, solve problems, or create technical guides.
• Trainers and teachers: to create tutorials and interactive lessons.
• IT professionals: to demonstrate technical solutions or record debugging sessions.
• Gamers and streamers: to record gameplay or live broadcasts.

Prerequisites

To follow this guide and record your PC's screen, you will need the following hardware and software requirements:

• A computer with Windows 11 operating system
• Internet access to download any programs
• A Microsoft account to access the Microsoft Store (optional)
• Sufficient disk space to save the recording files

PC Screen Recording Programs

If you use a PC and want to create a video of what appears on the monitor, you can choose from different screen recording programs. Below are the step-by-step procedures for using two of the most popular options: Capture Tool and OBS Studio.

Capture Tool

• Launch Capture Tool by selecting the relevant link in the Windows Start menu.
• Press the … button at the top right and select Settings from the menu that appears.
• Locate the Screen Recording section and enable or disable the switches next to the labels Include Microphone Input and Include System Audio.
• Return to the main screen of Capture Tool by pressing the ← icon at the top left.
• Select the camera symbol in the upper toolbar and click the New button.
• Outline with the pointer the area of the display to be recorded, dragging it until you get a rectangle of the desired size.
• Press the Start button in the toolbar that appears at the top and wait for the end of the short countdown to start recording.
• During acquisition, if you need to temporarily suspend the recording, click the ⏸ button and, when you want to continue, press ▶. To end definitively, select the ⏹ button.
• Once the recording is complete, the video will automatically open in Capture Tool. If you prefer to save it in another location, you can save a copy by clicking the floppy disk icon at the top right and choosing the destination folder.

OBS Studio

• Go to the relevant section of the Microsoft Store and press the Install button.
• On first launch, follow the guided setup to optimize the software settings.
• Press the Settings button that you find in the Controls panel at the bottom right.
• Select the Output option from the left sidebar, expand the Output Mode dropdown menu and choose the Advanced option.
• Open the Recording tab and use the Recording Format menu to choose the type of file to obtain.
• Press the Browse button next to the Recording Path option to select the folder where to save the videos and confirm the changes by clicking Apply and OK.
• Select the Screen Capture option and click the OK button. Choose the monitor to capture and define the other available options, then press the OK button again.
• If you want to include webcam images as well, press the + button in the Sources panel again and choose the Video Capture Device option. Configure the related settings and position the webcam box at the point on the screen you prefer.

VERIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING: How to test if it works and what to do if it fails

After configuring and starting the screen recording, it is important to verify that everything works correctly and know how to intervene in case of problems.

Testing the recording

• Capture Tool:
  • Start the recording following the steps indicated.
  • Check that the selected area is correct and that the recording starts as expected.
  • Check that the microphone and system audio are captured correctly, if enabled.
  • End the recording and verify that the video file has been saved in the specified folder.
• OBS Studio:
  • Start the recording by pressing the Start Recording button in the Controls panel.
  • Check that the preview shows the screen content correctly and, if applicable, the webcam.

Troubleshooting

• Capture Tool:
  • If the recording does not start, make sure the application is configured correctly and that there are no system restrictions.
  • If the audio is not captured, verify that the microphone and audio settings are configured correctly.
  • If the video file is not saved, check the automatic save settings and make sure you have the necessary permissions to access the destination folder.
• OBS Studio:

If the problems persist, consult the official software documentation or seek support in the dedicated online communities.

By following the instructions provided in this guide, you will have learned how to use different tools to record the screen of your PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet. Now you are ready to create tutorials, demonstrations, or simply save videos of your screen activities.

To consolidate your knowledge, we invite you to put yourself to the test:

• Experiment with the different programs described, such as Capture Tool and OBS Studio.
• Try recording screens with and without audio, changing the settings to achieve the desired result.
• Explore the advanced features of OBS Studio, such as capturing multiple video and audio sources simultaneously.
• Share your videos with friends or colleagues to get feedback and improve your skills.

Practice is fundamental to mastering these tools best. Good work and happy recording!