This article explains how to record everything that happens on the screen of a computer running Windows 7. You can choose to use the free OBS ("Open Broadcaster Software") Studio or the ScreenRecorder utility.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using OBS Studio
Step 1. Visit the OBS Studio website
Use the URL https://obsproject.com/ and your computer browser. OBS Studio is a free program that allows you to record a computer screen in high definition and save the recording as a video file that you can play on any compatible device.
Step 2. Click on the green Windows button
It is located at the top of the page. The OBS Studio installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3. Locate the program installation file
Normally the files you download from the web are automatically saved in the "Download" folder, which you can access by pressing the key combination ⊞ Win + E and clicking on the icon Download, listed in the left panel of the dialog box that will appear.
Step 4. Double-click the OBS Studio installation file
The program installation wizard window will appear.
Step 5. Install OBS Studio
Follow these instructions:
- Click on the button Yup if requested;
- Click on the button Next;
- Click on the button I agree;
- Click on the button Next;
- Click on the button Install;
- Wait for the program installation to complete.
Step 6. Launch OBS Studio
Make sure that the "Start OBS Studio" checkbox, located in the center of the window, is selected before clicking the button end. At this point the OBS Studio program will start automatically.
Alternatively, you can start OBS Studio by double-clicking the program icon that appeared on your computer desktop after installation is complete
Step 7. Scroll through the screens that will appear on the screen
The first time you run OBS Studio you will be asked if you want to run the automatic setup wizard. Click on the button Yup and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 8. Click on the ＋ icon
It is located in the lower left of the "Sources" pane of the OBS Studio window. A pop-up menu will appear.
Step 9. Click on the Capture screen item
It is listed at the top of the pop-up menu that appeared. A new dialog will appear.
Step 10. Select the "Create New" checkbox
It is located at the top of the window that appeared.
Step 11. Name the file that will be generated by the recording
Type it inside the text field that appears at the top of the window.
Step 12. Click the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
Step 13. Click the OK button again
This will complete the configuration of the recording file. At that point you will be ready to start video capture of your computer screen.
- If you do not want the mouse pointer to appear within the recording, uncheck the "Acquire cursor" checkbox.
- If you are using multiple monitors connected to your computer, click on the "Display" drop-down menu, then click on the name of the display you want to record.
Step 14. Click the Start Recording button
It is located in the lower right part of the program window. Screen capture will start.
Step 15. Click the Stop Recording button when you want to stop capturing
This is the same button you used to start recording. The video file will be stored on your computer.
To view the registration click on the menu File located on the window menu bar, then click on the option Show recordings.
Method 2 of 2: Using ScreenRecorder
Step 1. Log in to the ScreenRecorder web page
Use the URL https://technet.microsoft.com/it-it/library/2009.03.utilityspotlight2.aspx and your computer's internet browser.
ScreenRecorder is a free utility developed directly by Microsoft
Step 2. Click on the UtilityOnlineMarch092009_03.exe link
It is located at the top of the page. The ScreenRecorder installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3. Locate the program installation file
Normally the files you download from the web are automatically saved in the "Download" folder, which you can access by pressing the key combination ⊞ Win + E and clicking on the icon Download listed in the left panel of the dialog that will appear.
Step 4. Double-click the installation file
The program installation wizard window will appear.
Step 5. Install ScreenRecorder
Follow these instructions:
- Click on the button Yup if requested;
- Select the installation folder by clicking on the button ⋯, then on the directory to use and finally on the button OK;
- Click on the button OK;
- Click on the button OK when required.
Step 6. Navigate to the ScreenRecorder installation folder
Open the directory where you installed the program, then double-click the folder UtilityOnlineMarch09 present inside.
Step 7. Double-click the "64-bit" folder
It is displayed at the top of the window.
- If you are using a computer with a 32-bit processor, you will need to double-click on the "32-bit" folder.
- To find out which hardware architecture your computer uses (32 or 64-bit), refer to this article.
Step 8. Double click the "ScreenRecorder" icon
It features a stylized computer monitor.
Step 9. Install Windows Media Encoder 9
Follow the on-screen instructions to install.
Step 10. Complete the ScreenRecorder installation
Double-click the "ScreenRecorder" icon again, then follow the on-screen instructions to install the program into the default folder.
Step 11. Launch ScreenRecorder
Double-click the program shortcut that appeared on the desktop.
Step 12. Select the item you want to register
Click on the drop-down menu located on the left side of the ScreenRecorder window, then select the option FULL SCREEN or click on the name of the window you want to record.
Step 13. Select the "Audio" checkbox to enable audio capture
If your computer has a built-in or external microphone, you can also enable audio capture by selecting the "Audio" check button. In this way you will be able to explain verbally everything that is displayed on the screen.
- ScreenRecorder uses the Windows default audio settings to capture the audio signal.
- If you wish, you can adjust the volume of the recording audio signal using the Windows controls visible on the taskbar.
Step 14. Decide if you want the edges of the window you are capturing to flash
By default, the program makes the edges of the active window blink during recording. This effect will not appear in the video file of the recording.
If you don't want the borders of the window you are recording to flash, select the "No Border Flashing" checkbox before continuing
Step 15. Click the OK button
It is located in the center of the ScreenRecorder program window. The window with which you can check the registration will be displayed.
Step 16. Specify the name of the video file that will be generated by the capture process and the folder in which to save it
Click on the button displayed at the top of the new window that appeared.
ScreenRecorder creates a video file in WMV format
Step 17. Click the Start button
The program will start capturing video of the specified item.
You can click on the yellow button Pauses to temporarily stop recording.
Step 18. When you are ready, finish the registration
Click on the red button Stop to finish capturing video. The resulting file will be stored in the specified folder with the specified name.
Advice
- OBS Studio is compatible with Windows 7 and all later versions.
- If you need to simply take a screenshot of your computer screen, you can use the Windows 7 "Snipping Tool" program.
Warnings
- Recording for an extended period of time will create large files that will take up a large portion of your computer's hard drive.
- OBS Studio is not the ideal program for recording when you are using a video game or other program that requires a large amount of RAM and computing power.
