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

Are you looking to learn how to take videos from YouTube without a watermark or lose quality on your computer? Do you know how do YouTubers record their gameplay? This article will provide detailed instructions on how to record a YouTube video on PC. Now, check solutions for your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Mac computers.

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

Depending on your computer's operating system and your personal preference, the way to record YouTube videos may vary. Here is a summary of the methods provided in this article. Have a quick navigation and choose one that suits you best.

1️⃣Use third-party free screen recorders. This requires installing additional software but offers the easiest and most efficient method to capture YouTube videos without watermarks, time limits, and lag.

2️⃣Use Xbox Game Bar for Windows 10 and 11 computers. This built-in tool can record video in full-screen mode, but it doesn't allow you to capture the desktop and File Explorer, or you will find the Xbox Game Bar capture greyed out.

3️⃣Use the Snipping Tool for Windows 11 PCs. This native recording function can capture customized screen regions and record desktop and File Explorer. But you cannot change the fps and quality.

4️⃣Use QuickTime Player for MacBook. QuickTime is pre-installed on MacOS computers and lets you capture the screen and the external sound from your Mac PC. But it will not record internal audio Mac.

5️⃣Use online screen recording tools. If you want an installation-free method to record videos from YouTube, you can use web-based recorders to directly capture a video from a website.

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

Combability: 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 screen, sound, and webcam. Whether you want to save audio from YouTube, grab videos from YouTube, 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.

Download EaseUS RecExperts to your Windows or Mac. Let's see how to record a YouTube video on PC now.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts. There are two modes for screen recording. Choose "Full Screen", this tool will capture the whole screen; choose "Region", you will need to select the recording area manually.

Step 2. After that, you can choose to record the webcam, system sound, or microphone as you like. Of course, you can turn them off if you only need to record the silent screen.

Step 3. Then, you can click the red "REC" button to start recording. Now you will see a menu bar on your screen. If you want to pause the recording, click on the white "Pause" button; to end the recording, click on the red "Stop" button.

Step 4. After recording, you will be led to the recording list interface. Here you can view or edit your recordings easily.

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

Combability: 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.

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

Combability: 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.

How to Record YouTube Videos on Mac with QuickTime Player

Combability: 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.

How to Record YouTube Videos Online for Free

Combability: 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