Best Free Screen Recorders for Windows (No Watermark)

You need to record a tutorial for a coworker, a gameplay clip, an online class or a bug you want to show tech support. Many screen recorders online look free until you try to save the video and find a watermark or a five-minute limit. Here are the best free screen recorders for Windows that don’t play those games, including two you already have.

Built-in free screen recorders for Windows

1. Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

Best for: quick, short recordings with no setup.

The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 can record video, not just screenshots. Open it from the Start menu, click the video camera icon, select the area of the screen and press Start. When you stop, you can preview the clip and save it as an MP4.

• Pros: already installed, very simple, records any area of the screen.
• Cons: few options; audio and webcam features are limited compared with dedicated tools.

2. Xbox Game Bar

Best for: recording a single app or game quickly.

Press Windows + G to open it, or press Windows + Alt + R to start and stop recording right away. Videos are saved in Videos > Captures.

• Pros: one shortcut, good quality, records game audio and microphone.
• Cons: it records one app window at a time and can’t capture the desktop or File Explorer.

Free programs worth installing

3. OBS Studio

Best for: anyone who wants professional results for free.

OBS Studio is free, open source and used by many streamers and course creators. You can combine your screen, webcam, microphone, images and text into scenes, record in high quality or stream live.

• Pros: no watermark, no time limit, huge flexibility, works for streaming too.
• Cons: more settings than beginners expect. The first-run Auto-Configuration Wizard helps a lot.

Quick OBS setup:

1. Download OBS Studio from its official website (obsproject.com) and install it.
2. Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard and choose Optimize just for recording.
3. Under Sources, click the plus button and add Display Capture (whole screen) or Window Capture (one app).
4. Check that your microphone shows activity in the Audio Mixer.
5. Click Start Recording. Find the file through File > Show Recordings.

In Settings > Output, set the recording format to MP4 or MKV. MKV is safer if your PC might crash mid-recording, and OBS can convert it to MP4 afterward with File > Remux Recordings.

4. ShareX

Best for: fast captures, GIFs and power users.

ShareX is a free, open-source capture tool that records screen video or animated GIFs, takes scrolling screenshots and can upload or copy results automatically. It’s lightweight and extremely customizable.

• Pros: free, no watermark, great for short clips and GIFs.
• Cons: the menus are dense, and it’s less suited to long, polished tutorials than OBS.

5. Clipchamp

Best for: recording and editing in one place.

Clipchamp, which comes with Windows 11, includes a screen and webcam recorder. After recording, your clip lands right in the editor, where you can trim it and add captions or music.

• Pros: record and edit without switching apps, beginner-friendly.
• Cons: requires a Microsoft account, and some features are part of paid plans.

Which screen recorder should you use?

• A quick clip of part of your screen: Snipping Tool.
• Recording a game or one app: Xbox Game Bar.
• Tutorials, courses or streaming: OBS Studio.
• GIFs and quick shares: ShareX.
• Record and edit for social media: Clipchamp.

If you need to edit your recordings further, our list of the best video editors for low-end PCs covers free tools that run well on modest laptops.

Tips for better screen recordings

• Clean up first. Close unrelated tabs, hide desktop clutter and turn on Do not disturb so notifications don’t pop up in your video.
• Use a headset or external mic. Built-in laptop microphones pick up fan and keyboard noise. Even cheap earbuds with a mic sound clearer.
• Record at 1080p and 30 fps for tutorials. Go to 60 fps for games or fast motion.
• Zoom in on small text using Windows + Plus (Magnifier) so viewers on phones can read it.
• Check disk space. Long recordings take gigabytes. If you’re running low, follow our guide to free up space on drive C.
• Respect privacy and rights. Don’t record meetings without telling participants, and don’t capture paid streaming content.

FAQ

Does Windows 11 have a built-in screen recorder?

Yes, two of them. The Snipping Tool records any area of the screen, and the Xbox Game Bar (Windows + Alt + R) records the active app or game. Clipchamp, which also comes with Windows 11, includes a recorder too.

Which free screen recorder has no watermark?

OBS Studio, ShareX, the Snipping Tool and the Xbox Game Bar are all free with no watermark and no time limit. Be careful with “free” online recorders, which often add one.

How do I record my screen with audio on Windows?

In the Xbox Game Bar, make sure the microphone is on in the Capture widget. In OBS Studio, check that Desktop Audio and Mic/Aux show movement in the Audio Mixer before you press Start Recording.

Why can’t the Game Bar record my desktop?

The Game Bar is built to record one app at a time and doesn’t capture the desktop or File Explorer. Use the Snipping Tool or OBS Studio with Display Capture for full-screen recordings.