How To Record Your Computer Screen With Built-in Tools

Currently, I am recording computer screens on Windows, MacOS, and ChromeOS almost daily while testing web applications, creating demo videos for assistive technology settings, and creating screen recordings for teaching or class presentations. Instead of using paid or free screen recording apps that require internet access or additional downloads, I mostly use the built-in free screen recorder options on each device record part or all of the screen, as well as record system audio and/or microphone output.

Here is how to record your computer screen with free offline screen recording tools, including how to set up screen recording for PC (Windows), how to screen record Mac computers, and free options for recording a Chromebook screen (ChromeOS) without a screen recorder extension.

Screen recording with assistive technology and accessibility settings

I have several accessibility settings for low vision enabled on each device and use assistive technology software like screen magnification and screen readers. This can change how my computer screen looks, as well as how much information is visible at any given time. However, these settings may not be detected by screen recording software since they are rendered as a GPU/display overlay. For example:

• Built-in screen magnification tools (Windows Magnifier, Zoom, ChromeOS Magnifier) are not visible in screen recordings. The magnification controls will be visible on the screen, but no magnification or display filters are visible. The entire screen, window, or selected area will be visible in the screen recording, which may be larger than the magnified area of the screen.
  • Browser zoom (Ctrl + +) is visible during screen recordings
  • Hover Text and Hover Typing on MacOS and iPadOS are visible during screen recordings.
  • ZoomText magnification is not visible in screen recordings, though speech/audio is included when recording system audio.
• Inverted colors are not visible on screen recordings. If Invert Colors or Classic Invert/Smart Invert are enabled in device settings or as part of screen magnification, the screen recording will capture the original colors of the screen.
  • System dark mode is visible in screen recordings.
  • Windows High Contrast mode is visible during screen recordings
• Audio from text-to-speech, read aloud, or screen readers is audible and will be in the screen recording as part of system audio.
• The mouse pointer/cursor is visible during screen recordings.
  • For Windows, the size and color of the cursor are intact
  • On MacOS and ChromeOS, the color is intact, but the pointer/cursor is shown at its default size (instead of the size set by the user)

It is also worth noting that the on-screen keyboard is visible during screen recordings, and on-screen notifications in the recording area will also be visible. I recommend turning on “do not disturb” or muting notifications while recording device screens.

Related links

• Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Computers
• A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
• How To Make Mouse Pointers Easier To See in Windows
• How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision

Windows Snipping Tool for screen recording

In Windows 11, Snipping Tool can take screenshots as well as record part or all of a computer screen. This is different from the built-in Game Bar available on Windows 11 and Windows 10 (which can be activated with Windows key + G), which offers additional options designed for streaming or PC gaming; no XBOX is required to use Game Bar, and Game Bar can be used for screen recording any type of content, not just games.

Note that using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool will default to taking a screenshot; select the Record button (video camera icon) to start a screen recording or use Windows key + Shift + R.

How to record your computer screen on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool

1. Open Snipping Tool from the Start menu or use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + R to open screen recording.
2. From the drop-down menu, select the recording area. Window will record a specific window (e.g. web browser), Rectangle will record a specific area of the screen as set by the user. If using Window, select the window or program to record by clicking on it or pressing the space bar.
3. To record audio from the microphone, select the microphone icon and the desired input device. This can be changed during the recording from the recording bar.
4. To record system audio during the recording, select Mute/Unmute System Audio. If the audio is muted, a diagonal line will appear across the icon. This can be changed during the recording from the recording bar.
5. Select Start to begin recording; there is a three second countdown before recording begins. A small window with a recording bar will be visible while recording but will not appear in the final video.
6. Pause or stop the recording by selecting Pause or Stop on the recording bar.

By default, recordings are saved in the Videos file folder in a separate Screen Recordings folder as .mp4 videos. Users can trim, save, copy, or share videos in Snipping Tool once they are finished recording; recordings can also be converted to a GIF with no sound.

Related links

• How To Customize Icons For Windows
• How To Use High Contrast in Windows 11
• How To Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

Screen recording on a Mac computer

In MacOS, Screenshot can be used for taking screenshots as well as for recording part or all of the computer screen. There is also an option to use QuickTime for screen recording with a Mac; use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + N in QuickTime or go to File > New Screen Recording within QuickTime.

How to record your computer screen on Mac with Screenshot

1. Open Screenshot with Launchpad, or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + 5
2. Select one of the three screen recording modes, which include a recording dot icon:
   • Record entire screen
   • Record selected window
   • Record selected area
3. Configure options:
   • Choose where to save the screen recording (Desktop is default)
   • Set timer to delay start of recording by 5 or 10 seconds
   • Show or hide floating thumbnail when recording ends; if enabled, the completed recording will appear as a floating thumbnail that can be dragged into a document or opened in another application immediately
   • Remember last section to save recording settings for the next session
   • Use device microphone for recording
   • Include or exclude System Audio (MacOS 27 and later)
   • Show or hide mouse clicks on screen; a black circle will appear around the mouse pointer when clicking
4. To start recording, select the Record button in the Screenshot toolbar, or select the window to record.
5. To stop recording, select the Stop button, or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Esc

By default, recordings are saved directly to the Mac and are not uploaded to iCloud. Screen recordings are saved as .mov videos. Screen recordings can be edited or trimmed after recording, as well as annotated with Markup.

How to record your computer screen audio: Zoom hack for Mac screen recording

Screen recordings captured in Screenshot or QuickTime in MacOS 26 and earlier do not record system audio, just the screen and/or microphone. Here is a workaround for recording the screen with system audio using the Zoom videoconferencing app and Screenshot (or QuickTime):

1. Open Zoom and start a new meeting. Do not add anyone else to the call.
2. Select Share Screen and choose the desired video option. In Share Options (bottom right), select Share Sound to share system audio.
3. Open Screenshot or QuickTime and create a new screen recording
4. Select the Options button in Screenshot/QuickTime, next to the screen recording options. Under Microphone, select ZoomAudioDevice
5. Select the Record button in Screenshot to start recording with system audio.
6. Select Stop when finished.

How to record iPad or iPhone screen

Users can also create screen recordings on an iPhone or iPad that show the entire device screen and record system audio, though some applications block screen recording. To record an iPad or iPhone screen with the built-in Screen Recording tool:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
2. Select the Screen Recording control, which looks like a circle with a dot in the middle.
   • If Screen Recording is not visible, select the Plus icon in the top left corner and select Add a Control, or resize a control by dragging the handle on the lower-right side of the control icon
3. To record the device audio, tap the Screen Recording control and wait for the 3-second countdown to start recording.
4. To record with the microphone, long-press the Screen Recording control and select Microphone to turn the microphone on, and then select Start Recording.
5. To stop recording, tap the red recording button at the top of the screen, then tap Stop

By default, screen recordings are saved to the device camera roll/Photos app. Screen recordings are saved as .mp4 videos.

Related links

• Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Mac Computers
• How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
• Using The iPad Markup Tool With Low Vision

Screen Capture for Chromebooks

Screen Capture is a built-in tool for taking screenshots or recording screens on Chromebook and ChromeOS devices. Some Chromebook models may not support the default keyboard shortcuts for opening Screen Capture; users can create a custom shortcut in the Keys application or click on the Status Bar on the shelf (toolbar) to open Screen Capture from the settings menu.

How to record your computer screen with Screen Capture for ChromeOS

1. Open Screen Capture by doing one of the following:
   • Use the Screenshot key
   • Keyboard shortcut Shift + Ctrl + Show windows
   • If using an external keyboard with function keys, use Ctrl + Shift + F5
   • Alternatively, double-click on the Status Bar on the shelf (clock/time) to open Settings and select Screen Capture
2. Select the Video icon to create a screen recording
   • Select Full Screen to record the entire screen, including the toolbar (first icon after video icon)
   • Select Record Partial Screen and drag the focus window to select an area to record. Alternatively, press the spacebar to set a resizable window in the center of the screen
   • To record a single application or window, select Record Window (third icon after video)
3. Select the Settings icon to configure the screen recording settings. This will apply for all new recordings on the device:
   • Audio input: Device audio and Microphone (records audio in Google Chrome web browser and also any audio picked up by device mic)
   • Camera: Off by default (front camera can be enabled if desired)
   • Show Clicks and Keys: Turn on
   • Save location: By default, this is Downloads.
4. Click anywhere on the screen to begin recording.
5. To end the recording, select the Stop recording button in the Toolbar (which looks like a circle and is visible on the right side of the screen) to automatically save to Downloads. Or use the keyboard shortcut Search + Shift + X to stop recording.

By default, recordings are saved on the device and are not uploaded to Google Drive automatically. Files are saved as .webm videos.

Screen Recording for Android devices

Users can also create screen recordings on an Android phone or tablet that show the entire device screen and records system audio. To screen record on Android devices:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings menu
2. Select the Screen Recording button to start recording. A three-second countdown will appear at the top of the screen in the status bar.
3. To configure recording settings, long-press on the Screen Recording button or tap the right side of the Screen Recording button (which has a small arrow icon). Options include:
   • Record device audio: Record device audio, microphone, or device audio and microphone
   • Show touches on screen (which will appear as a darkened area)
   • Select Start to begin recording. A three-second countdown will appear at the top of the screen.
4. To stop recording, swipe down from the top of the screen and select Stop

By default, screen recordings are saved to the device camera roll/Photos app and are not backed up automatically. Files are saved as .mp4 videos.

Related links

• Make Android Easier To See With Large Print Apps
• Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones

More ideas for how to record your computer screen and free screen recording tools

• Need a more robust or customizable free screen recording software for streaming? I also use Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), which can be accessed with a screen reader.
• Another way I have been using screen recorders is for capturing digital whiteboards or canvases, which are helpful during lessons or online classes. Learn more at Digital Whiteboards and Low Vision Accessibility and Digital Notetaking and PDF Annotation Apps For Low Vision
• Instead of recording my entire screen, I use “record selected area” when creating audio narrated images and use my computer’s microphone to add narration; this is a helpful free screen recorder for teachers and TVIs/TSVIs! Learn more at Creating Audio Narrated Images For Low Vision

Published September 29, 2026. Updated September 2026