This article will show you how to record video from a Windows 7 computer monitor. To do this, you can use the free OBS software (Open Broadcaster Software) or the free ScreenRecorder software.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: How to use OBS Studio
Step 1. Open the OBS Studio website
To do this, go to https://obsproject.com/ in your computer's web browser. OBS Studio is a freeware program with which you can record video from your computer screen in high definition; you can save this video as a video file and play it on your computer.
Step 2. Click on Windows
It's a green button at the top of the page. The OBS Studio installation file will download to your computer.
Step 3. Find the downloaded installation file
Find it in your Downloads folder. To open this folder, press ⊞ Win + E and then click on "Downloads" on the left side of the window that opens.
Step 4. Double click on the OBS Studio installation file
An installer window will open.
Step 5. Install OBS Studio
For this:
- click "Yes" if prompted;
- click on "Next";
- click "Accept";
- click on "Next";
- click "Install";
- wait for the program to be installed.
Step 6. Launch OBS Studio
Check the box next to Launch OBS Studio in the middle of the page, and then click Finish. OBS Studio will launch.
Also, to launch OBS Studio, double-click on the icon for this program on the desktop
Step 7. Follow the instructions on the screen
When OBS starts up for the first time, the program asks if it should auto-tune. Click "Yes" and then follow the prompts on the screen.
Step 8. Click +
This icon is in the lower left side of the Sources window, which is located in the lower left side of the OBS Studio window. A pop-up menu will appear.
Step 9. Click Screen Capture
It's near the top of the pop-up menu. A new window will open.
Step 10. Check the box next to "Create new"
You will find this option at the top of the window.
Step 11. Enter the file name of the video to be recorded from the screen
Do this in the text box at the top of the window.
Step 12. Click on OK
This button is at the bottom of the window.
Step 13. Click OK again
Now you can start recording video from your screen.
- To prevent the mouse pointer from appearing in the video, clear the Capture Cursor check box.
- If you have multiple monitors, open the Display menu and select the monitor you want.
Step 14. Click Start Recording
It's in the lower-right side of the OBS Studio window. Video recording starts.
Step 15. Click Stop Recording
This button is located in the same place as the Start Recording button. The video file will be saved to your computer's hard drive.
To play the video, click File (on the menu bar)> Show Recordings (on the drop-down menu)
Method 2 of 2: How to use ScreenRecorder
Step 1. Open the website of the ScreenRecorder program
Go to https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2009.03.utilityspotlight2.aspx in a web browser.
ScreenRecorder is a free program developed by Microsoft
Step 2. Click on UtilityOnlineMarch092009_03.exe
This link is at the top of the window. The ScreenRecorder installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3. Run the downloaded installation file
Find it in your Downloads folder. To open this folder, press ⊞ Win + E and then click on "Downloads" on the left side of the window that opens.
Step 4. Double click on the installation file
An installer window will open.
Step 5. Install ScreenRecorder
For this:
- click "Yes" when prompted;
- select a folder for installation - to do this, click "⋯", click on the desired folder and click "OK";
- click "OK";
- when prompted, click OK.
Step 6. Open the folder where you installed ScreenRecorder
Now double click on the "UtilityOnlineMarch09" folder.
Step 7. Double click on the 64-bit folder
It is located at the top of the program folder.
- If your computer is 32-bit, double-click the 32-bit folder.
- Find out if the system is 64-bit or 32-bit.
Step 8. Double click on the “ScreenRecorder” icon
It looks like a computer monitor.
Step 9. Install Windows Media Encoder 9
To do this, follow the instructions on the screen.
Step 10. Complete the installation of ScreenRecorder
Double-click the ScreenRecorder icon again, and then follow the instructions on the screen to install the ScreenRecorder program with standard settings.
Step 11. Run the ScreenRecorder program
To do this, double-click on the ScreenRecorder shortcut on your desktop.
Step 12. Select the item you want to record
Open the menu on the left side of the ScreenRecorder window and select the “FULL SCREEN” option or a specific window.
Step 13. Check the box next to “Audio” to record audio
If a microphone is connected to the computer, check the indicated option to add sound to the video. So you can comment on what is happening on the screen.
- By default, ScreenRecorder uses the system sound settings.
- To adjust the volume, use the slider in the system tray.
Step 14. Keep in mind that by default the frame of the window that is being recorded is blinking
But the flashing frame will not appear on the recorded video.
If you do not want the window frame to flash, check the box next to the “No Border Flashing” option
Step 15. Click OK
This button is in the middle of the ScreenRecorder window. The recording panel will open.
Step 16. Enter a name for the video file and specify the folder where it will be stored
To do this, click on the button at the top of the recording panel.
The video will be recorded in WMV format
Step 17. Click on Start
ScreenRecorder will start recording video from the specified area.
Press Pause to pause recording
Step 18. Stop recording
To do this, press the red Stop button. The video will be saved in the specified video file.
Advice
- OBS Studio is compatible with Windows 7 and newer versions.
- To take a screenshot in Windows 7, use the Scissors utility.
Warnings
- If you record video from the screen for a long time, you will get a large video file that will take up a considerable amount of hard disk space.
- OBS Studio is not ideal for recording video games or other programs that consume significant computer resources.