How to Record a Video on a Laptop

  1. Download Movavi Screen Recorder.

  2. Record your screen, webcam, or both.
  3. Edit your recordings.
  4. Save the result.
Edited by Ben Jacklin
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Ever wondered "How do I record a video on my laptop?" If so, you're not alone! In this guide, we'll look at how to record a video on your laptop, covering several proven methods.

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How to make a video on a laptop with Movavi Screen Recorder

Movavi Screen Recorder is simple and easy-to-use video recording software, available for your PC and Mac. It's ideal for capturing online calls or for making your own tutorials and other high-quality videos with sound. It features a streamlined interface and a built-in editor to make adjustments to your recordings. Wondering “How to make a video on my laptop?” Just read on!

Key features:

  • Can capture your mouse and keyboard inputs
  • Records in HD and 4K
  • You can draw on screen while recording

How to record a webcam video with Movavi Screen Recorder

Step 1. Download and install the program

The first step is to download and install the app on your PC or Mac. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed through the installation process.

Step 2. Adjust the settings

Once the app has been successfully installed on your device, you'll need to open it up and prepare for recording your webcam video. Click Screen recording and select the capture area. You'll see various icons you can click on to adjust the settings. Press the Webcam icon to activate webcam capture and click on the Microphone if you want to record with audio from an external source, too.

Step 3. Record your screen

Once the settings have been configured, it's time to record your own video. All you need to do to start recording is hit the red circle REC button. This will begin the process. During your recording, you can pause at any time, stop when the recording is done, or annotate using the pencil icon.

Step 4. Edit and save the video

After you've finished recording and pressed the Stop button, you can use the built-in editing tools to make some adjustments. You can trim down the recording and remove unwanted sections with these tools. Then, save the file to your laptop in a format of your choice.

How to take a video on a laptop with the Camera app

If you're wondering how to use my laptop camera to record a video, the built-in Camera app on Windows 11, 10, or 8 is all you need. This app is really simple to use with a built-in camera and lets you video record on a laptop using a webcam, capturing video and audio of yourself with just a couple of clicks.

How to record myself on my laptop with the Camera app

Step 1. Open the Camera app

The first step of using Camera to take a video on a laptop is to open it up. It's installed by default on all modern Windows devices, so you don't have to download or install it. Just click on the Start button or Windows logo and find Camera in your list of apps. Or type Camera into the search bar at the bottom of the laptop screen and click on the Camera icon to open it up.

Step 2. Configure the settings

With the Camera app open, you'll be able to configure the settings for your recording. You can switch between photo and video mode, as needed, and you can adjust the settings of your webcam and microphone. You can adjust aspects like brightness and focus to get the clearest image, as well as activate your microphone if you want to capture audio.

Step 3. Record your webcam

Once the app is open, you can click the Record button to start recording. The recording will begin right away and a timer will appear on the screen to show you how long you've been recording for. You can then pause and stop your recording when needed by pressing the corresponding buttons on the side of the screen.

Step 4. Review and save the file

Once you've finished recording, you can see your most recent recording appear as a small square in the bottom right of the program window. Click on it to watch your recording. You can review the content and use Windows' own editing tools to make changes if desired. The recording will be saved automatically to your device.

How to start recording a video on a laptop with Windows Live Movie Maker

How can I record a video on my laptop on Windows 7? Well, with Windows Live Movie Maker, it's possible. This app makes it easy to record webcam videos on older laptops that are running Windows 7, and here's how it works.

How to record a webcam video with Windows Live Movie Maker

Step 1. Install the program

Your device might already have Windows Live Movie Maker installed. If not, you'll need to download it manually. To do this, launch Windows Live Essentials and then click on Choose the Programs you want to install. Then, click on Windows Live Movie Maker.

Step 2. Launch the app

Once the program has been installed on your device, you can open it up and prepare for a recording. This app is only capable of recording webcam videos, so you can't use it to record your screen. You'll need to click on Webcam Video at the top to start the process.

Step 3. Record your video

When you want to start recording a video on a laptop, click on the Play icon. When you're ready to stop, press the Stop button. The recording will be automatically saved to your device as a WMV file in the My Videos folder.

How to video record on a laptop on a Mac

It's also possible to record videos on a MacBook using the built-in PhotoBooth feature. This app requires no downloads or installations and is very easy to use, even for beginners. It allows you to record videos via your webcam or a connected external video camera.

How to record a webcam video with PhotoBooth

Step 1. Open PhotoBooth

The first step of using PhotoBooth is to simply open the app from the app menu on your device. You'll need to connect an external camera, if you plan on using one, or simply use your device's built-in cam.

Step 2. Start recording

To start recording, you'll need to click on the Video mode and then press the Record Video button, which has an icon like a video camera. You can also click the Record a movie clip button in the bottom left.

Step 3. Record your webcam

The recording will begin as soon as you click on the Record Video button. When you're ready to end it, just click on the Stop button.

How to record a laptop video with Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar app is a gaming overlay built into Windows 10 devices. It gives you various widgets and bonus features to use while gaming, including the ability to record your screen.

Step 1. Open the program

To get started with this app, launch it. If it’s not installed, you'll need to get it for free from the Windows Store.

Step 2. Activate Game Bar

Next, you'll need to activate Game Bar if it isn't already active. To do this, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard together with the I key to open the Windows Settings menu, then type Xbox and click on Enable Xbox Game Bar in the drop-down list. Check the box to enable the app.

Step 3. Open Game Bar

Once Game Bar is all set up on your device, you can press the Windows logo key and the G key at the same time to open it up. Once it's open, click on the Settings icon. This will open the Settings menu, where you can adjust capture parameters and activate audio capture.

Step 4. Capture your screen

So, how to record a video on a laptop? Well, all you need to do is open the game or app you want to record, open Game Bar, and then press the Capture button. You can also use the shortcut: Windows + Alt + R. Play the game and continue your recording until you're ready to stop, then press Windows + Alt + R again to stop the recording or press the Stop button in the Game Bar overlay (Windows + G). Your video clip will be saved in MP4 format in your device's Videos folder, by default.

How to record a screen with QuickTime Player

You can use QuickTime Player to record your laptop video on a Mac device.

Step 1. Open QuickTime Player

QuickTime comes installed by default on all MacBooks, so you shouldn't need to worry about installing it. Just open it to get started.

Step 2. Start recording

To record with QuickTime, press File, then click on New Screen Recording. If you haven't done this before, the device may ask you to grant permission to QuickTime Player to record your screen. This can be done via the System Preferences menu. Once it's done, you can start recording your screen by pressing the record button. You can choose to record either the entire screen or a section of it via the pop-up menu that appears.

Step 3. Stop and save the recording

Whenever you are ready to end your recording, just press the Stop icon in the top menu bar. This will cause your recording to pop up on your screen, ready for review. You can click on File > Save to save it, giving it a name and choosing a location on your device to send it.

Tips on recording webcam

Here are a few tips to help you get the best results for webcam video recording on your laptop or another device:

  • Try to find a quiet spot to make your recordings where you won't pick up much background noise or risk being disturbed.

  • Use a good quality microphone to capture the clearest and best quality audio for your video.

  • Try to position yourself near windows to get good natural light, without glare on the screen or excessive shadows.

  • Do some practice before recording and try different positions around the room to see what looks best.

  • Use a minimal background without lots of objects that could distract your viewers.

  • Do a test video and play it back to see how the audio sounds and how clear the image is.

  • Try to sit still and remain in the center of the frame throughout your recording.

  • Maintain a clear and consistent speaking volume, so your video doesn't have overly loud or quiet parts.

What to look for in a video recorder

We hope that this guide has given you plenty of great choices the next time you need to record a video on your laptop. If you're not sure which app to choose, here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:

  • Ease of use: the app or software you use should be relatively simple to use, without any confusing elements or complicated systems. The best apps are very beginner-friendly and can be used even by those with minimal technical experience.

  • Features: take a look at what kinds of features are offered by your chosen software. You need to find a program or app that has the tools and functions you need. Some offer built-in editing features, for example, as well as the ability to record both internal and external audio.

  • Price: make sure you find a video recorder that is within your budget. Prices can vary from app to app, and some offer much better value for money than others. Don't overpay for an app that isn't right for you.

  • User reviews: it's always a good idea to consult user reviews when looking for screen recorders and video software. Users offer honest views of how good each piece of software is and will let you know about bugs or other issues.

  • Support: check to see what kind of user support is available for your chosen app. The best developers offer guides, tutorials, live chat systems, and email support to help their users.

Best ways to record videos on a laptop

  1. Movavi Screen Recorder – best for video and audio capture
  2. Camera App – best for users who want a built-in Windows recorder
  3. PhotoBooth – best for users who want to record on Mac
  4. Windows Live Movie Maker – best for users on Windows 7 who need to record videos
  5. Game Bar – best for users who want to record gameplay videos
  6. QuickTime Player – best for users who want an all-in-one recorder and player

Summary

In this article, we’ve looked through several solutions you can use to record a video on a laptop with sound. All of them have different features and work on different platforms, so pay attention to those things before you download or buy a program.

Program

Best for

Download

Users who want a built-in Windows recorder

Users who want to record on Mac

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Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

Frequently asked questions

How do I record a video on my laptop?

You can use Movavi Screen Recorder to do this. Here's how:

  1. Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder.
    Download Movavi Screen Recorder for Windows
    Download Movavi Screen Recorder for Mac

  2. Open the program and click Screen Recording.

  3. Press the REC button to begin your recording.

  4. Edit if needed and then save your video in your desired format.

What is the best webcam recorder for a laptop?

Check some of the best options:

  • Movavi Screen Recorder

  • Logitech Capture

  • CyberLink YouCam

  • Screencapture Webcam Recorder

  • ManyCam

To learn more about webcam recorders, follow the link below.

Read about the best webcam software for Windows 10

What is the best screen recorder for a laptop?

Here’s a list of the top recorders:

  • Movavi Screen Recorder

  • OBS

  • Screencapture.com

  • Game Bar

  • Bandicam

Follow the link below to read the detailed reviews.

Read about the best screen recorders for a laptop

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