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7 Free Screen Recording Software for Windows with no Watermark and Time Limit

free screen recorder software for Windows

Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:31 am

Are you exploring the idea of creating screencast tutorials for an eLearning program?

Do you wish to record a PowerPoint presentation to share with a wider audience?

Do you want to make a quick screen recording to capture an error on your computer or a problem with a piece of software to serve as evidence for troubleshooting help?

If you wish to do all of the above, you would need a screen recording software program.

Yes, there are top-notch screen recording software programs out there. They come with all the coveted (but not really needed) bells and whistles. It would require you to break the bank to get hold of them.

But then you may not really need these premium grade screen recording software programs for the task at hand.

It would be wiser to explore some free screen recording software programs to get your feet wet and familiarise yourself with screen recording.

That said, here are the best free screen recording software programs for Windows that can deliver the goods.

Xbox Game Bar

If you don’t fancy installing software on your computer, then Xbox Game Bar will suit you fine.

This app is meant to record games. However, you can use it to record screen activity as well.

It comes preinstalled in Windows 10, hidden from view. All you have to do is type Xbox Game Bar in your windows search box and it pops up, ready to be used.

Click on the App icon to open it.

Alternatively, you can hit the Windows and G keys together on your keyboard to launch the App.

Once the app is launched, you’ll see the following.

If you don’t see the video recording button enabled, then try the fixes as shown in the video below.

Be reminded that you can’t record Windows desktop and File Explorer windows. Still, if you need to capture the occasional quick screen recording, Xbox Game Bar will do the job well for you.

Free Cam

Free Cam is one of the best free screen recording software with no watermark or time limits. With it, you can make screen recordings and directly upload them to YouTube.

You can record with a mic for voiceovers and even capture system sounds. You can also highlight your cursor as it moves around the screen.

There’s a simple built-in video editor that helps you trim clips. You can also remove background noise from your recordings and adjust volume levels before exporting your video.

The drawback of Free Cam is it exports video in the WMV format. You can’t also add background music.

Also, note that it captures video in 760p. If you want MP4 and 1080p, you’ll have to sign up for the Pro version.

But WMV and 760p should be sufficient for YouTube.

Watch the video below to get an idea of how Free Cam works.

Check out Free Cam.

Ezvid

Do you wish to make screen recordings and upload them directly to YouTube? If so, Ezvid will work for you.

Released in early 2011, Ezvid boasts more than 3 million downloads. It claims that millions of screen recordings on YouTube have been made with Ezvid.

Ezvid Screen Recorder Download, Ezvid Screen Recorder Image, Ezvid Screen Recorder Screenshot.

Ezvid comes with such features as voice recording, screen drawing and facecam (webcam capturing you talking).

If you don’t feel comfortable recording your voice, then there’s a text-to-speech module to assist you.

Ezvid’s ease of use has made it popular among gamers and movie buffs who need to make quick screen recordings.

Other features you can enjoy with one of the best free screen recording software with no watermark or time limits are:

  • Video speed control (speed up your video)
  • Video editor
  • Quick slideshow maker with automatic pan and zoom applied to your images
  • Free music for your recordings
  • Placing watermark on your video before uploading to YouTube
  • Sharing to social media sites after YouTube upload

Ezvid works with Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 10. Video output resolution is in 720p.

Check out the video below to see how this screen recording program works.

Download Ezvid.

OBS Studio

OBS or Open Broadcaster Software is an open-source screen recording software with no watermark or time limits.

It rivals most premium software programs of its type. Even industry professionals swear by the effectiveness of this video recording and live streaming software.

The software works not only with Windows but runs on Mac and Linux, too.

But take note that there’s a learning curve involved here. If you’re willing to spend time and energy learning this software program, then it will pay off especially if you’ll be doing live streaming as well.

Sponsored by YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch, this program may not impress those who want to make a quick recording. The interface and the many setting options would surely intimidate the beginner.

Take a look at this video to see how OBS works.

Check out OBS Studio if you’re willing to take up the challenge of learning live streaming apart from screen recording.

ShareX

With ShareX you can easily customize your screen capture (full screen or selected region).

A standout feature is making a screen capture which is automatically converted to a GIF.

You will like that ShareX processes a screen recording fast after you’ve hit the Stop button.

You can assign ShareX automated tasks after the capture is done. For example, you can instruct it to copy an image to clipboard or print it.

The strength of this free screen recording software with no watermark or time limits is its high-quality recordings with small file sizes.

This makes it easy to upload to various platforms even when you’re on a slow Internet connection.

But then many may not fancy its cluttered interface. Sometimes the recording button may disappear.

Audio recording is not turned on by default. You would have to enable it each time before you make a recording.

There is also the occasional bug in the software where the recording button disappears.

Watch this video to get an idea of how this software works.

Despite these minor hiccups, ShareX is worth giving a try.

TinyTake

TinyTake’s free version has a time limit for screen recording. You’re only allowed 5 minutes of recording. Still, we’ve included it in the list should you want to make short screen recordings for personal use.

Apart from capturing screen activity, TinyTake also makes webcam recordings and allows you to annotate your screen recordings where necessary.

Markup your screenshot with shapes and arrows

You’re also given 2GB of online storage space to save your recordings.

If you want to record beyond that per session, you would have to sign up for the paid packages. The premium version can go up to 120 minutes per recording.

Apart from the recording duration and online storage space, there isn’t a difference between the free package and the paid ones.

You can directly upload to YouTube from TinyTake.

Check out this video to get a better understanding of this free screen recording software for YouTube videos.

Download TinyTake.

Flashback Express

This screen recording software comes in 2 versions. Flashback Express is the free version. It works very much like the Pro version with some bells and whistles missing.

Like the Pro version, Flashback Express can record the screen and sounds and capture webcam video. You have the option of whether to show your webcam capture on your screen or not. You can also add audio commentary.

There are no time limits for recording and no watermarks will be placed on your screen recording projects.

With Flashback Express you don’t have access to a video editor. That shouldn’t be a problem because you can always get hold of a free video editor program if you don’t already have one.

With the free version, you can’t also add text, images, or sounds or use video effects.

Your work can also be saved in the MP4, AVI, and WMV formats. This shouldn’t also be a problem when you directly export your work to YouTube through Flashback Express.

Check out the video below to see how Flashback Express works.

Download Flashback Express.

You’ve learned about the top free screen and audio recording software for Windows with no watermark and time limit. Now choose the one that fits your requirements and get started with your screen recording.

Screen Recorders with Free Trials

The free screen recorders covered above usually come with limitations. They may lack certain features needed for a screen recording task.

In this instance, you would have to look at paid versions for these features. Such screen recorders are versatile and come with the necessary bells and whistles. They could be pricey, too.

However, if you’re seriously into screen recordings for tutorials and training courses. you should consider investing in one. This is especially so if the free screen recorders are affecting your work quality.

The good news is some of these paid software programs offer free trials. You can test drive them before committing to a purchase. Here’s a quick list.

Camtasia Studio

Camtasia Studio can be considered the Grandmother of screen recorders. It’s the go-to program for professionals and educators.

Many also use it as a video editor.

Here’s an overview of Camtasia Studio, its unique features, its uses, and the benefits of its free trial.

Camtasia Studio: Overview

Camtasia Studio is a powerful screen recorder -cum-video editor that allows you to create professional-looking videos for various purposes. It’s packed with features like:

  • Screen recording: Record your entire screen, a specific region, or even your webcam.
  • Video editing: Trim, cut, merge, and splice video clips with ease.
  • Audio editing: Add music, sound effects, and narration to your videos.
  • Animations and effects: Enhance your videos with animations, transitions, and other visual effects.
  • Quizzing and interactivity: Add quizzes and interactive elements to your videos to make them more engaging.
  • Screen annotations: Draw, highlight, and add text to your recordings to make them more clear and concise.

What Makes Camtasia Unique?

Camtasia Studio stands out from the crowd for its:

  • Ease of use: Camtasia is designed to be user-friendly, even for newbies. Its intuitive interface simplifies recording, editing, and the creation of high-quality videos.
  • Powerful features: Camtasia offers a comprehensive range of features that cater to the needs of both novice and experienced video creators.
  • Customization options: You can customize almost every aspect of your videos in Camtasia, from the look and feel to the behaviour.
  • Integrations: Camtasia integrates with a variety of other tools and platforms, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Drive.

What can you use Camtasia for?

Camtasia is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

  • Creating training videos: Camtasia is a great tool for creating training videos for employees, customers, or students.
  • Recording presentations: You can use Camtasia to record your presentations and share them with others.
  • Making product demos: Camtasia is a great way to create product demos that showcase your product’s features and benefits.
  • Developing e-learning courses: Camtasia can be used to create interactive e-learning courses that engage learners.
  • Recording webinars and meetings: Camtasia is a great tool for recording webinars and meetings so that you can share them with others who were unable to attend live.
  • Creating video tutorials: Camtasia is a great way to create video tutorials that show people how to do something.
  • Sharing your screen: You can use Camtasia to share your screen with others in real time, which is great for collaboration and remote work.

Free Trial Benefits

Camtasia Studio offers a free trial that allows you to try out all the features of the software for a limited time. This is a great way to see if Camtasia is right for you before you commit to buying it.

Here are some of the benefits of trying the Camtasia free trial:

  • Get a feel for the software: The free trial is a great way to get a feel for Camtasia and see if it’s easy to use for you.
  • Try out all the features: You can try out all of the features of Camtasia, including screen recording, video editing, and animations.
  • Create a short video: You can use the free trial to create a short video to see if you’re happy with the quality of the output.
  • Decide if it’s worth the price: The free trial is a great way to decide if Camtasia is worth the price tag before you buy it.

Overall, Camtasia Studio is a powerful and versatile screen recorder and video editor that can be used to create professional-looking videos for a variety of purposes. The free trial is a great way to try out the software before you commit to buying it.

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