This wikiHow teaches you how to record a computer screen in Windows 7. You can use the free program OBS ("Open Broadcaster Software") Studio or the free program ScreenRecorder to do this.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using OBS Studio
Step 1. Go to the OBS Studio site
Visit https://obsproject.com/ through your computer's web browser. OBS Studio is a free program that allows you to record your screen display in high definition (HD) quality and save it as a video file that can be played on your computer.
Step 2. Click Windows
It's a green button at the top of the page. After that, the OBS Studio installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3. Locate the downloaded installation file
Usually, you can find the downloaded files in the " Downloads " folder. You can open it by pressing the key combination Win+E and clicking the folder “ Downloads ” is displayed on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Double-click the OBS Studio installation file
After that, the installation window will open.
Step 5. Install OBS Studio
To install it:
- Click " Yes ' when prompted.
- Click " Next ”.
- Click " I Agree ”.
- Click " Next ”.
- Click " Install ”.
- Wait for the program to finish installing.
Step 6. Run OBS Studio
Make sure the “Launch OBS Studio” box in the middle of the page is checked, then click “ Finish After that, the OBS Studio program will be opened.
You can also launch OBS Studio by double-clicking the application icon that appears on the desktop
Step 7. Skip the commands displayed on the screen
When you run the program for the first time, you will be asked if you want to run the auto-configuration process (Auto-Configuration Wizard). Click Yes ” and follow the next command.
Step 8. Click
It's in the lower-left corner of the "Sources" window, in the lower-left corner of the OBS Studio window. Once clicked, a pop-up menu will appear.
Step 9. Click Display Capture
It's at the top of the pop-up menu. After that, a new window will open.
Step 10. Check the box "Create new"
This box is at the top of the window.
Step 11. Enter the name of the recording
Type a name for the recording file into the text field at the top of the window.
Step 12. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 13. Click OK again
After that, the recording settings are done. You are now ready to record the screenshot.
- If you want to hide the cursor from the recording, first uncheck the " Capture Cursor " box.
- If you are using multiple displays or screens, first click the " Display " drop-down box, then click the name of the screen you want to record.
Step 14. Click Start Recording
It's in the lower-right corner of the OBS Studio window. The recording process will start immediately.
Step 15. Click Stop Recording when finished
This button is in the same place as the “ Start Recording The recorded video will be saved to the computer.
To view the screen recording, click “ File ” displayed in the menu bar, then select “ Show Recordings ” from the drop-down menu.
Method 2 of 2: Using ScreenRecorder
Step 1. Go to the ScreenRecorder page
Visit https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2009.03.utilityspotlight2.aspx via a web browser.
ScreenRecorder is a free tool developed by Microsoft
Step 2. Click UtilityOnlineMarch092009_03.exe
This link is at the top of the window. After that, the ScreenRecorder file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3. Locate the downloaded file
Usually, the downloaded files are in the " Downloads " folder which you can open by pressing the Win+E key combination and clicking on the “ Downloads ” which is on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Double-click the installation file
After that, the installation window will open.
Step 5. Install ScreenRecorder
To install it:
- Click " Yes ' when prompted.
- Select the installation location by clicking “ ⋯ ”, select a folder, and click the “button OK ”.
- Click " Ok ”.
- Click " Ok ' when prompted.
Step 6. Open the installation folder
Visit the folder specified as the ScreenRecorder installation location, then double-click the “ UtilityOnlineMarch09 ”.
Step 7. Double-click the "64-bit" folder
This folder is at the top of the installation folder.
- If your computer uses a 32-bit processor, double-click the "32-bit" folder.
- You can number your computer's bit if you don't know if your computer is running a 64 bit or 32 bit operating system.
Step 8. Double click the “ScreenRecorder” icon
This icon resembles a computer monitor.
Step 9. Install Windows Media Encoder 9
Follow the on-screen prompts to install it.
Step 10. Complete the ScreenRecorder installation process
Double-click the "ScreenRecorder" icon again, then follow the on-screen prompts to install the ScreenRecorder in its default location.
Step 11. Open ScreenRecorder
Double-click the ScreenRecorder shortcut on the desktop to open it.
Step 12. Select the elements you want to record
Click the drop-down box to the left of the ScreenRecorder bar, then select “ FULL SCREEN ” or the specific window you want to record.
Step 13. Check the “Audio” box to enable sound recording
If you have a microphone attached to your computer, you can check the “Audio” box to enable sound recording when a video is taken. With this option, you can narrate what is being done in the video.
- ScreenRecorder uses Windows' default sound input settings.
- You can adjust the audio level or volume via the “Volume” setting in the system tray.
Step 14. Determine whether the outer frame of the window can flash
With this option, the outside frame of the window being recorded will flash. However, the flickering effect will not be recorded in the video.
If you don't want the outer frame of the program window to flash, check the " No Border Flashing " box before continuing
Step 15. Click OK
It's in the middle of the ScreenRecorder window. After that, the recording device will be opened.
Step 16. Specify the name and location to save the file
Click the button at the top of the recording equipment to select it.
ScreenRecorder records videos in WMV format
Step 17. Click the Start button
ScreenRecorder will record the element or area that has been defined.
You can press the " Pause ” is yellow to pause the recording process.
Step 18. Complete the recording process once it is ready
Click the button Stop ” is red to stop recording. After that, the recording will be finalized and saved as the file you previously defined.
Tips
- OBS Studio is compatible with Windows 7 and later versions.
- If you just want to take a screenshot, you can use the Snipping Tool program in Windows 7.
Warning
- The continuous process of recording the screen display can take up a lot of space on the hard disk.
- OBS Studio is not ideal for recording video games or other programs that use a lot of memory and processor power.
