How to Record a YouTube Video on PC [Free & Easy]

Are you trying to save a YouTube video on your computer without losing quality, or are you a creator wondering how do YouTubers record their gameplay, tutorials, or reviews for upload? No matter if you want to capture an existing video for personal viewing or record your own screen content to share on your channel, this guide will walk you through the best free ways to how to record YouTube videos on PC for free. Keep reading for practical solutions that work on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and macOS.

Quick Answer: Can You Record a YouTube Video on Your Computer?

Yes, but the method depends on what you want to achieve and which system you use. If you're a viewer, you can record YouTube videos for offline study or reference (remember, personal use only). If you're a creator, you can use the same tools to record your gameplay, tutorials, or screen demos for uploading to YouTube.

🚩Here's a quick overview of the free options covered in this article. Choose the one that fits your needs best:

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How to Record YouTube Videos on Windows and Mac PC with Free Screen Recorder

• Compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11; macOS 10.13 and later
• Support video output format: MP4, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, and GIF.
• Best for: novice and professionals dealing with multiple recording scenarios and editing on computers

EaseUS RecExperts is a free screen and audio recorder that lets you easily capture the screen, sound, and webcam. Whether you want to save audio from YouTube, grab videos, or record a video for YouTube, you can use this YouTube recorder to capture wanted clips in simple clicks.

Moreover, it also lets you watch deleted YouTube videos, private clips, member-only videos, and blocked items.

⭐Key Features Users Care About Most:

• High-quality recording (1080p/4K, up to 144fps) ensures videos look clear and professional.
• Record both internal audio and your own voice simultaneously.
• No watermark or time limit, essential for creating clean, upload-ready videos.
• Flexible recording modes: full screen, window, custom region, or with webcam overlay.
• Basic editing & multiple export formats to trim, cut, and save recordings in MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.

👉Download EaseUS RecExperts for your Windows or Mac.

🚩Let's see how to record a YouTube video on PC now:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and adjust your recording settings.

Before you start recording, you can customize your settings by clicking the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner and selecting Settings. From there, you can change the save location, video format, frame rate, audio format, and other preferences. All changes will be saved automatically.

Step 2. Choose a recording mode based on your needs.

On the main interface, you'll see several recording options: Full Screen, Custom, Window, Game, Audio, and Webcam. Simply click the one that matches what you want to record.

Step 3. Set up your webcam and audio sources.

In the toolbar, you can turn the Webcam, Speaker, and Microphone on or off by clicking their icons. If multiple devices are connected, click the small arrow next to each icon to choose your preferred input source.

Step 4. Start and control the screen recording.

Click the red REC button to begin recording. A floating toolbar will appear on your screen, where you can pause the recording using the pause icon or stop it by clicking the red square icon.

Step 5. Preview, edit, and manage your recordings.

Once you stop recording, you'll be taken to the preview window. Here, you can watch your video, trim it, add watermarks, transcribe audio to text, and organize your recordings. To record again with the same settings, just click the REC button in the top-left corner.

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How to Record a YouTube Video on Windows 10/11 PC with Xbox Game Bar

• Compatibility: Windows 10 22H2 or newer
• Support video output format: MP4
• Best for: recording gameplay and other windows (except desktop and File Explorer) in full-screen mode within 4 hours

Xbox Game Bar allows users to record Xbox series X gameplay and capture clips from other applications. You can use Game Bar to record YouTube videos and audio at the same time with a full-screen mode.

🚩Let's see how to capture a YouTube video on PC in Windows 10 and 11 with Game Bar:

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to record.

Step 2. Press the Win + G keys together to launch the widget and toolbar.

Step 3. In the popup, click Capture. You can turn off or on the microphone sound according to your needs.

Step 4. Click the recording button (white dot) or press the Win + Alt + R shortcut to start recording. Play the YouTube video.

Step 5. To end the recording session, click the Stop Recording button or the Win + Alt + R shortcut again. You will see a Game clip recorded window.

Step 6. Press the Win + G keys again. You can go to See my captures or C:\users\admin\Videos\Captures to see the recorded MP4 file.

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How to Capture Videos from YouTube on Win 11 Computer with Snipping Tool

• Compatibility: Windows 11 version 22000.0 or higher
• Support video output format: MP4
• Best for: taking screenshots, editing pictures, and recording videos within 30 minutes

The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 desktop and laptop computers newly adds a screen recording feature (not available on Windows 10).

This screenshot and recording tool lets users record screen Windows 11 of any region. However, each recording session of Snipping Tool can last only 30 minutes. When it reaches the length limit, the recording will end automatically. So, it would be best if you planned the time properly in advance.

🚩Let's see how to record a YouTube video on PC in Windows 11 with Snipping Tool:

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to record.

Step 2. Type Snipping Tool in the Search bar and click open from the list.

Step 3. Switch from the Snip tab to Record and click + New to initiate a new recording.

Step 4. Customize the area you want to capture and click Start. The recording will begin once the 3-second countdown timer ends.

Step 5. Click Stop to end the recording task. Usually, the recorded MP4 file will be saved to your computer automatically. If not, click the save button to select a location path for your recording.

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How to Record YouTube Videos on Mac with QuickTime Player

• Compatibility: Mac
• Support video output format: MOV
• Best for: recording screen with the external sound

QuickTime Player is a good choice for recording YouTube videos on MacBook. It lets users record the screen with a microphone instead of the system and app audio.

If you want to capture the internal sound from Mac computers, you can install free extra add-ons as the sound output device, such as BlackHole and SoundFlower.

🚩Let's see how to screen record a YouTube video on PC in macOS with QuickTime and plugin:

Step 1. Download BlackHole or SoundFlower to your Mac and install it.

Step 2. On your MacBook, navigate to System Preferences > Sound > Input. Select BlackHole 2ch or Soundflower (2ch) from the list to set it as your Mac's input device.

Step 3. Switch to the Output tab to repeat the operations and set it as your Mac's output device.

Step 4. Open the YouTube video you want to record.

Step 5. Open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording and select BlackHole 2ch or Soundflower (2ch) as the source.

Step 6. Now, you can start and stop the recording session.

🚩Check this video tutorial for How to Record Internal Audio on Mac | BlackHole Tutorial if needed:

• 00:25 Download & Install it
• 00:55 Let's Configure it
• 02:16 How to Uninstall it

 

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How to Record YouTube Videos Online for Free

• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices
• Support video output format: WebM
• Best for: recording screen and audio at the same time on web browsers

EaseUS Online Screen Recorder is a web-based tool that allows you to record screens and sounds from computers and mobile phones without a watermark. You do not need to download and install any software, extensions, or add-ons.

It is free and accessible on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera browsers.

To perform a YouTube video recording online for free, visit the website and initiate the task.

Final Thoughts

As for how to record a YouTube video on PC, there are many options, including third-party software, computer built-in tools, and web-based utilities. Each of these methods has its usage and limitations.

This article elaborates on these solutions in detail; you can choose some that interest you most.

For users who want the quickest and most efficient way, choose EaseUS RecExperts.

How Can I Record from YouTube for Free FAQs

Check more questions on how to record YouTube videos on PC for free.

1. How to record YouTube videos on Android phone?

To record YouTube videos on Android phones and tablets:

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to record.

Step 2. Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the Quick Settings panel.

Step 3. Look for a screen recorder option and tap the icon.

Step 4. Choose your settings, such as recording audio (if desired) and whether to show touches on the screen.

Step 5. Tap Start to begin recording and play the video.

Step 6. To stop recording, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap on the screen recorder notification, and then select Stop.

Step 7. The recording will be saved in your gallery or photos app.

2. How to record a YouTube video on your iPhone?

To record a YouTube video on your iPhone or iPad:

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to record.

Step 2. Swipe down from the screen's upper-right corner and find the screen recording button (a white solid circle within a circle). Tap on it.

• If there is no such option, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls > Tap the green plus (+) button next to Screen Recording to add it to your Control Center.
• If you need to capture audio from your microphone, press and hold the screen recording button and tap the microphone icon to enable audio before starting the recording.

Step 3. Once the countdown is done, your screen will start recording. Play the YouTube video.

Step 4. To stop recording, open the Control Center again and tap the screen recording button, or tap the red status bar at the top of the screen and confirm that you want to stop recording.

Step 5. The recording will be saved in your photos app.

3. What screen recorder do YouTubers use?

• For Windows and Mac: EaseUS RecExperts, OBS, Snagit, Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic
• For online: EaseUS Online Screen Recorder, Loom, Screencastify
• For iOS/Android: the built-in recorder, AZ Screen Recorder, DU Recorder, TechSmith Capture

4. How to upload a video to YouTube from PC?

To upload a video from your computer, follow these steps:

• Open YouTube and sign in to your Google account.
• Click the Create button (camera icon with a plus sign) at the top-right corner.
• Select Upload video.
• Drag and drop your video file or choose it manually from your PC.
• Add a title, description, thumbnail, and tags to optimize your video.
• Choose the visibility option (Public, Unlisted, or Private).
• Click Publish (or Schedule if you want it to go live later).

5. How to record YouTube videos using OBS?

OBS Studio is a free, open-source video recording software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Here's how you can use it to record:

• Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
• Open OBS and click the + under the Sources panel.
• Choose Display Capture (for full screen) or Window Capture (for a specific browser window).
• Adjust the recording area and settings as needed.
• Go to Settings > Output to select your recording format (e.g., MP4, MKV).
• Click Start Recording before playing the YouTube video.
• When finished, click Stop Recording.

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