How to Screen Record Without Mouse or Cursor [4 Ways]

Want to screen record without showing the mouse cursor? Whether you're creating a tutorial, recording a presentation, or capturing gameplay, a visible pointer can sometimes distract viewers from the content. The good news is that you can hide the mouse cursor while screen recording on Windows, Mac, and even Linux. The exact steps depend on the screen recorder you use.

In this guide, we'll show you how to screen record without a mouse cursor using EaseUS RecExperts, Xbox Game Bar, OBS Studio, and QuickTime Player, along with the limitations of each method.

Quick Comparison: Screen Recording Methods That Hide the Mouse Cursor

Before choosing a method, check the table below to find the that best fits your system and recording needs.

🚩Quick recommendation: 

• If you want the simplest way to completely hide the cursor on Windows or Mac, EaseUS RecExperts is a convenient option.
• If you don't want to install additional software on Windows, try Xbox Game Bar.
• For advanced recording controls, OBS Studio is another free option.

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Way 1. Screen Record Without Mouse on Windows and Mac with EaseUS RecExperts

• Supported systems: Windows 11/10, macOS
• Best for: Tutorials, presentations, software demos, and professional screen recordings
• Cursor: Can completely hide the cursor

EaseUS RecExperts lets you hide the mouse cursor before you start recording. Unlike QuickTime Player, which doesn't offer a native option to hide the cursor, RecExperts includes a dedicated mouse setting to control cursor visibility.

It can also record the full screen, a selected region, or multiple monitors, making it suitable for different recording scenarios.

🚩How to Hide the Cursor with EaseUS RecExperts:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts, and click on the Settings button that looks like a nut in the top-right-hand corner.

Step 2. When the Settings window pop-ups, click Mouse on the left sidebar. Next, uncheck the box Show mouse cursor.

Step 3. Go back to the main interface, choose a reording mode, set up the audio and webcam options, and click REC to start your recording.

💡Why Choose EaseUS RecExperts?

• Hide the cursor: Turn off cursor visibility before recording.
• Record any area: Capture the full screen or a specific part of the screen.
• Multiple-monitor support: Record content across multiple displays.
• Custom hotkeys: Start and stop recordings without relying on the mouse.
• Audio and webcam recording: Capture system sound, microphone input, and webcam footage along with your screen.

If you frequently create tutorials or software demonstrations, these controls can make it easier to produce clean recordings without a distracting mouse pointer.

Way 2. Hide Mouse Cursor in Screen Recording Windows 11 and 10 with Xbox Game Bar

• Supported systems: Windows 10/11
• Best for: Quick recordings without installing additional software
• Cursor: Can hide the cursor

Xbox Game Bar recording is a built-in Windows recording tool that can capture apps and games without requiring a third-party screen recorder. It also lets you choose whether to capture the mouse cursor.

However, Game Bar is more limited than dedicated screen recording software. For example, it isn't designed for every type of desktop recording scenario and offers fewer controls over the recording area.

🚩How to Screen Record Without a Mouse with Windows Game Bar:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures, and scroll down to untick the Capture mouse cursor when recording option.

Step 2. Also, enable the Game Mode to be On in Windows settings. Then, launch the gameplay or apps you want to record.

Step 3. Press the Xbox Game Bar shortcut: Windows + G to bring up the display.

Step 4. Click the camera icon (Capture) to start your Xbox Game Bar recording. (Or, use the shortcuts Windows + Alt + G to record 30 seconds, Windows + Alt + R to do a free-time recording).

This is how to screen record without a cursor using the Xbox Game Bar. When the recording is complete, you can go to C:\Users\username\Videos\Captures to view the recording files.

💡Limitations of Xbox Game Bar:

Xbox Game Bar is convenient when you need a quick recording, but it may not be the best choice for every situation. For example, if you need to:

• Record a specific custom region
• Record the entire desktop in a flexible way
• Record multiple monitors
• Add a webcam or other advanced recording elements
• Fine-tune recording settings

You may find a dedicated screen recorder such as EaseUS RecExperts or OBS Studio more flexible.

Way 3. Hide Cursor When Screen Recording on Windows, Mac, and Linux with OBS Studio

• Supported systems: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Best for: Advanced recording, streaming, and custom recording setups
• Cursor: Can hide the cursor

OBS Studio is a free, open-source screen recorder widely used for streaming and content creation. It gives you detailed control over your recording sources, including whether the mouse cursor appears in a captured source.

If you already use OBS, you don't need another screen recorder just to hide the cursor.

🚩How to Hide the Cursor in OBS:

Step 1. Launch OBS and create or open a Scene.

Step 2. Click the + in the Sources box, choose Display Capture, name it, and click OK.

Step 3. Right-click on Display Capture and select Properties.

Step 4. In the Properties window of Display Capture, uncheck the box that says Capture Cursor and click OK.

Step 5. Click Start Recording. OBS will now record your screen without the mouse pointer.

Way 4. Screen Record Without Mouse on Mac with QuickTime Player

• Supported system: macOS
• Best for: Basic Mac screen recording
• Cursor: Cannot completely hide the cursor

QuickTime Player is one of the easiest ways to record your Mac screen because it is built into macOS. However, there is an important limitation if your goal is to completely remove the mouse cursor from the recording.

Does QuickTime Hide the Mouse Cursor?

No. QuickTime Player doesn't offer a native setting to completely hide the mouse pointer during screen recording.

When you use the macOS screenshot and recording controls by pressing Command + Shift + 5, you can find an option called Show Mouse Clicks. However, this setting controls the visual effect that appears when you click. It does not remove the mouse cursor itself.

So, if you need a recording with no visible cursor, QuickTime alone isn't enough.

Workarounds for a Less Distracting Cursor

If you still want to use QuickTime, you can reduce the cursor's distraction with a few simple workarounds:

1. Move the cursor away from important content.

Before recording, place the pointer in a corner or another area that is unlikely to distract viewers.

2. Turn off Show Mouse Clicks.

Press Command + Shift + 5, select Options, and disable Show Mouse Clicks. This removes the click animation, although the cursor itself will remain visible.

3. Use a dedicated cursor-hiding utility.

Some third-party utilities can temporarily hide the mouse pointer with a keyboard shortcut. This can be useful if you want to continue using QuickTime for recording.

Keep in mind that these workarounds do not change QuickTime's built-in behavior. If you want to completely hide the cursor while recording, a screen recorder with a dedicated cursor setting is a better option.

Final Words: Which Method Should You Choose?

The best way to screen record without a mouse cursor depends on your operating system and how much control you need.

If your priority is simply recording a clean screen without a visible cursor, choose a tool that lets you disable cursor capture before recording. QuickTime is convenient for basic Mac recording, but it cannot completely hide the pointer on its own.

FAQs About Screen Recording Without a Mouse Cursor

1. Can I screen record without showing the mouse cursor?

Yes. Several screen recording tools allow you to disable cursor capture before recording. On Windows, you can use Xbox Game Bar, OBS Studio, or EaseUS RecExperts. On Mac, OBS Studio and EaseUS RecExperts can hide the cursor, while QuickTime Player doesn't offer a built-in option to completely remove it.

2. Can QuickTime record without the mouse cursor?

Not by itself. QuickTime Player can record your Mac screen, but its Show Mouse Clicks option only controls the click animation. It does not hide the mouse pointer.

If you need to completely hide the cursor, use a screen recorder that provides a dedicated cursor visibility setting.

3. How do I hide the cursor in Windows Game Bar?

Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures and disable the option to capture the mouse cursor when recording. Then use Xbox Game Bar to start your screen recording.

4. How do I hide the cursor in OBS?

Add a Display Capture source in OBS, open its Properties, and uncheck Capture Cursor. Make sure the setting is disabled before you start recording.

5. Can I remove the mouse cursor after recording?

Usually, no. When the cursor is visible during recording, it becomes part of the recorded video frames. You cannot simply turn it off afterward.

You can sometimes cover or mask the cursor with video editing software, but this can be time-consuming and may not produce a clean result. It is generally better to hide the cursor before recording.

6. Can I screen record without using the mouse?

Yes. Most screen recording tools provide keyboard shortcuts to start and stop a recording.

For example, Xbox Game Bar uses Windows + Alt + R to start or stop recording, while macOS uses Command + Shift + 5 to open its screen recording controls.

Using keyboard shortcuts can help you start or stop a recording without moving the pointer into the area you want to capture.