Recording everything that passes through the PC desktop can be useful to create a demonstration movie, in which we explain the use of a program or we show something that we managed to do with our computer, something curious, something funny or instructive. A video of the recording can be broadcast on YouTube and can be saved in a format readable by smartphone, tablet or shared on social networks, so as to provide its users with valuable help in solving problems.
In this guide we have collected the best programs to create a video by recording the desktop and also capable of saving it to a file or uploading it immediately to YouTube or other sites, ready to be distributed.
The programs that we will report are all free and can be used without limits, so that you can record the screen at any time.
READ ALSO: 15 Programs to record the screen
Main programs to record desktops
In the first part of the guide we will show you what are, in our opinion, the best programs to record the screen and add graphic effects, annotations, superimposed images or audio comments.
The programs to report you are free, so we recommend trying them all until we find the one that suits our needs.
1) Cam Studio
The most popular free program to record what goes on the desktop is Cam Studio, immediate and simple to use, even in Italian, it allows you to save everything that takes place inside the PC desktop in a file (also .avi), with the ability to record the entire desktop or by setting only a specific video recording area.
It can be used to record videos that are played on the PC in streaming or to record the movement of the mouse arrow and create real guides (for example when you want to show the use of a program).
CamStudio is a small, light and open source (free license) program that allows you to capture audio and video of the activities carried out on the desktop even in a professional context, so we can use it without problems even in business environments.
Together with the screen we can record audio from both microphone and speakers, so we can add our voice as a comment to the images.
Among the other small functions to be used during recordings, the ones that allow to highlight the cursor, to set the autopan, in which the recording area follows the movements of the mouse, and to annotate and connect images and videos are important. .
2) XSplit
Among the best programs to record video of games and programs we find XSplit, of which we can download two different versions: XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster.
The first program is designed for those who want to stream anything that passes from the screen, with the ability to add video and audio comments during playback, the second program is optimized to be used while playing with PC video games, so that we can transmit on Twitch or on other treaming platforms all our progress.
XSplit to record video games, it is also excellent for recording the desktop with the support of recording multiple video sources simultaneously, a true reference point for all gamers and YouTubers.
3) Monosnap
Monosnap is one of the best alternative programs to CamStudio, free for Windows, that works as a screen recorder, captures photos on the screen (screenshots) and offers the possibility to save photos and videos online.
Among its features we also find the form to upload the recording to YouTube or save it on the PC with MP4 format, so that we can upload it later on the site or social network that we want.
There are numerous options for recording from a webcam, for setting frames per second, recording quality and for turning sounds on or off.
4) Icecream Screen Recorder
Icecream Screen Recorder allows you to save screen images as well as record mouse movements in a video.
The screen recording feature features a drawing panel to be used for making drawings and annotations, using arrows or highlighters.
Also very useful is the functionality with which we can add a comment to the video via webcam and microphone, so that we can better guide the users who will view the video.
5) oCam
oCam can record screen videos by generating video files in MP4, AVI and MOV and also offers the possibility of adding images or logos and capturing screenshots.
This program is also great for recording 3D video game games and saving images for use in a guide or article.
6) Ezvid
Ezvid is a complete program that allows you to record anything on the screen and create your own video thanks to the integrated editor, so you don't have to use other programs during editing.
Ezvid to create videos by recording the screen is a program that we have described in detail in another article, which we invite you to read to fully understand the potential of this program.
7) Screencastify
If we are looking for an extension for Google Chrome that can record browser tabs, windows and the entire desktop of the PC, with the possibility of integrating the audio of the computer or that coming from a connected microphone (useful for adding voice comments to what you recover).
Screencastify to record websites and desktops with Chrome also with webcam and microphone we talked about it in depth in the article linked above.
8) Active Presenter
Active Presenter is an excellent program also available in a free and complete version, with which you can record all the contents of what passes through the PC screen .
The real strength of this software is in the post production: in fact we will have a complete solution to capture, annotate, edit and export the videos recorded on the screen in high quality, with the possibility of also creating video presentations, very useful in the business sector .
Completed projects can be exported in AVI, WebM, WMV and MP4 format, so that they can be uploaded to any device or website.
9) Rylstim Screen Recorder
Rylstim Screen Recorder is a screen video recorder with minimalist design, which makes simplicity of use its strength.
It supports multiple codecs and custom frame rates to record the entire screen, without having to manually configure other options.
To start recording the screencast, simply click on Start Record and the application will be minimized in the system tray, silently recording the activities on the screen.
However, you can stop it at any time by clicking on its notification icon or by pressing the F9 key.
When you stop recording the screen, the video starts playing in the default media player immediately.
From the program we can choose the destination folder, the type of codec and the mouse button to be monitored, so as to make simple but functional recordings.
10) ScreenVirtuoso PRO
ScreenVirtuoso PRO is a program to record what is happening on the desktop and create a video with audio.
It becomes very useful for creating presentations, demonstrations and video tutorials, even with your own voice.
It is also possible to set timers to automatically record the screen at a certain time, on a certain date, through the Scheduler function.
Once registration is complete, it can be viewed on the internet browser.
You can cut parts, resize, delete, add text, and everything you need to make our presentation professional.
The video can be shared via the fixed link that is generated or by downloading it in MP4 format, in addition the software also allows you to add notes and notes in the recordings.
Other programs to record videos
In this part of the guide we will show you other programs that you can use to record your PC screen.
Let's consider them only if the main ones have not convinced us or we are looking for something specific for the work to be done, since some of these are quite difficult to use or have demo versions, with limitations when used without a license.
- Site to record your PC screen online in a Screencast-o-matic video that allows you to record your desktop without downloading any programs.
- SMRecorder, Audio and video recorder from the computer screen
- VLC can be used as a PC screen recorder
- Screen Video Recorder is a program to record screencasts, with audio and visual effects.
The application has several options on the main interface to customize the program and select the area of the desktop to be registered.
The Information section displays the Video Codec, the elapsed time, the frame rate, the frames captured and those left out.
The Effects window allows you to change brightness, contrast, saturation, color and audio.
You can also rotate and flip the screen.
- HyperCam 2 allows you to choose to record the entire screen or a selected region, create a video and also add an audio commentary thereafter.
- Open Broadcaster Software is a powerful screencast program for Windows 10, but also Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
To start recording the screen, from the main window, press on Source > Add and then Monitor Capture .
disable AEro in Windows 7 and Vista because OBS warns about bad performance if Aero is activated and preview the recording above.
You can save the screencast recording to a file or stream it over the internet.
The video file that OBS is an H.264 MP4 at desktop resolution.
- Another program, Taksi only works to record 3D animations, for example, of a video game.
- Mimer is a really simple and free program that records mouse movements and creates a file which can then be sent via email to show or explain how you use your computer or software.
To record the video through a webcam we refer you to the article on the use of a webcam as if it were a camera ; in that article the Debut software is listed, which is one of the best software to record both from webcam and everything that appears on the PC Desktop.
- LiveTyping instead allows you to record what is typed on the keyboard by creating an animated Gif image, generating the writing as if it were a mini movie.
READ ALSO: Site to record the PC screen online in a video
