Considering the fact that we spend a big chunk of our day at work, it is essential that we possess the right tools to ensure a seamless experience. Employees having to deal with an outdated environment often end up hindering production and performance, which in turn reduces productivity. Thankfully, there are many screen recording tools for Windows 7 that are being used by today’s managers to help make workplaces convenient and user-friendly.
From time to time, we need to create a video tutorial which shows a particular process on screen. For this issue, many people turn to using screen recording app. The best screen recording apps help you to record a video in real-time based on the screen of your desktop or laptop. For that, you can use any of the best screen recording apps for Windows user.
One of the best screen recording apps for windows, in this post I will recommend you a list of best screen recording tools for windows 7 no doubt. In nowadays, video training is the best and most effective way to explain some procedures to users or viewers.
Screen recorder is a software which facilitates the users to make screencasts of any PC screen activity. In other words, it helps us to record whatever happens on the computer’s monitor. So that we can then save and share them with others.
How to record your screen on Windows 7 with desktop recorders
Desktop recorders are software programs that you download to your computer and run natively as you would any other application. These screen recorders for Windows 7 tend to be fast and reliable because they are not limited to a network connection. However, they do not work well in situations where you cannot install software on the computer, such as a work computer or other machine that doesn’t belong to you.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Best for: Novice and expert users, advanced editing, record live streams
G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5, 45 reviewsDownload for Free
Movavi Screen Recorder is one part of a more extensive set of video tools made by Movavi. Like all of its sibling products, Screen Recorder was designed to be easy to use and very powerful. It has advanced features, like recording the screen and audio to separate tracks and scheduling your recording to begin and end automatically. Movavi Screen Recorder fits nicely into a complete video production environment because it integrates nicely with and shares many interface elements with the other video products that make up Movavi Video Suite.
Here’s how to record your screen on Windows 7 using Movavi Screen Recorder. Download the software and run the installation file. Instructions will appear telling you how to install the program. After the installation is complete, the program will open automatically. When it does, you should adjust the capture area to cover the part of the monitor you want to record. To do that, hit the Screen recording icon on the sidebar and select the area you will be recording. Click the REC button to start recording your computer screen. When you are done recording, click Stop. In the window that pops up when you stop recording, you’ll be able to perform basic editing tasks on the recorded video, such as trimming segments out of the final product. You can then export the file to disk.
Pros
- Easy to use, intuitive interface
- Free trial version for Windows and Mac lets you try before you buy
- Excellent value for money
- Set of cool features plus easy-to-use editing tools
- Captures anything on your screen
Cons
- Webcam options somewhat limited
Windows 7’s built-in Game Bar
Best for: Capturing videos of PC games
You may have heard friends or acquaintances talk about recording their screen with the Game Bar – a built-in Windows software. If you’ve tried to find it on Windows 7, you may be under the impression that it’s hidden somewhere impossible to find. Unfortunately, this recording tool is not available for Windows 7. It was initially a part of the Xbox app designed specifically for Windows 10, as more recent Xbox models also use that operating system. It is useful for recording games and other apps built for Windows 10 and designed to be Xbox compatible. It includes every app available from the Windows Marketplace and some that aren’t.
If your computer meets the specifications and requirements for Windows 10, you can upgrade and get access to the Windows 10 Game Bar. With Windows 10, recording a video from the screen is as simple as pressing the Windows + G key combination to bring up the Windows 10 Game Bar and then pressing the record button on the overlay that pops up. Windows will then record the video until you tell it to stop and save the results in the folder that you set in the program’s settings menus.
Suppose you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10. In that case, Movavi Screen Recorder makes an excellent alternative that is nearly as quick to use as the native Windows 10 solution and gives greater control over the output.
Pros
- Free tool, built into Windows
- Records videos of gaming sessions
- Live-streams (no third-party software needed)
- Share content from Windows and Xbox games
Cons
- Not all games work while using Game Mode
- Games compatible with Game Mode may not run in full screen
OBS Studio
Best for: Screencasts and broadcasting game streams to platforms like YouTube and Twitch
TechRadar rating: 4 out of 5
OBS is a desktop recorder for Windows 7. It’s a compelling solution for broadcasting streaming video, with many great features for mixing and combining sources to create a very professional look. This power comes at a cost, though. The software was designed for hardcore streamers who need strict control over every second of their stream. For a simple push-and-record scenario, it isn’t effortless to use and not as intuitive as other solutions on the market. The software is free and worth a try if you don’t mind a bit of a learning curve and look for something with a lot of flexibility.
Recording with OBS is more complicated than recording with most Windows 7 video recorder software. After you’ve downloaded and installed the software, you’ll need to do some setup that other programs don’t require. Before you can record, you have to create a scene. To do so, click the + icon in the section of the OBS window marked Scenes. Give the scene a name and then move over to the section marked Sources. Click the + icon there to add a source. Select Display Capture to capture your display. Now you can press the alt key and drag the mouse to crop the capture area. Once everything is ready, press the Start Recording button to begin the capture process.
Pros
- Powerful high-quality video recording tool
- Computer screen recording
- Open-source code
- Easily connects with popular streaming service providers
- Plugins available to add custom functionality
Cons
- Layout a tad overwhelming for novice users
- Can be taxing on CPU usage
While one option on this list requires you to download a tiny help utility, most only recorders allow you to capture your screen without downloading any additional software. With these tools, you can record videos on a PC using nothing but a browser and an internet connection. Of course, the downside is that any internet connectivity problems will prevent you from using the software.
Screencapture.com
Best for: Teachers, students studying at home, presentations, creating tutorials
Trustpilot rating: 4.6 out of 5, 190 reviews
The need for a download puts many people off of using Apowersoft. Screencapture.com is a new service that is still growing, but it already has an advantage over Apowersoft in that it doesn’t require any downloads to work. There is a free version of the tool that will place a small watermark on the recorded video. The web-based tool functions are a webcam recorder and a screen recorder for Windows 7 and other platforms. Users will likely find the site easy to use and convenient.
Here’s how to record a video on Windows 7 with screencapture.com. You only need to go to the website, select your options, and press Start Recording. A dialog will pop up asking for permission to access the required functionality to record the screen from your browser. You can choose to record your entire screen, a specific open window, or an open tab in the browser you are visiting the site from. Once you confirm the permissions and the recording area, the capture process will begin.
Pros
- Free online screen recorder
- No need to download/install an app to use
- Fast HD video saves
- Records audio, voice, and internal system sounds
- Can include user’s face via webcam
Cons
- Cannot upload files directly to video-sharing sites like YouTube
Apowersoft Online Recorder
Best for: Recording video and audio at the same time, including narration and voiceover
TechRadar rating: 4.5 out of 5
Apowersoft is a website that allows for screen video capture on Windows 7 straight from a browser. The website does require that you download a small helper application that will enable it to better communicate with your computer. But the actual recording process will be started from the website. This little download gives it some of the features that its fully native counterparts have, such as selecting which parts of the screen to record. When you are done recording, the software lets you save the file to disk or upload it to popular video and cloud storage services.
After you’ve downloaded and installed the helper application, recording with Apowersoft’s free online screen recorder is easy. Browse to the website and press the Start Recording button in the middle of the screen. The application will open up, and you can choose between a screenshot and video capture. After choosing video capture, you’ll hit the Record button to start recording and the Stop button to finish. To save the file, click the share icon in the bottom right corner of the window and choose to save it to a file rather than upload it to a cloud service.
Pros
- Easy to use, flexible one-click screen recording
- Wide range of useful features
- No limits on what you can record or for how long
- Export recorded videos to multiple formats
- Make annotation while recording
Cons
- Needs an internet connection to work
- Must download/install the app, despite being an online recorder
How to use Google Chrome extensions as Windows 7 video recorders
The Google Chrome extensions below are like a cross between the previous two options. You’ll be using your Chrome web browser as the host for a screen recording program, but the two extensions listed work when the machine is offline. So you have the benefit of a locally installed screen recorder and the convenience of not having to open an extra app to use it.
Screencastify
Best for: Quickly create troubleshooting and how-to videos, record product demos, etc.
Google Web Store rating: 4 out of 5 stars, 11,646 reviews
Users: 10 000 000+
For a browser-based screen capture tool, Screencastify comes with a pretty hefty feature set. You can record your desktop, browser tab, or webcam in full HD and get audio from your microphone to add narration to the video. Videos can be saved locally but are also automatically saved to Google Drive. Essential editing tools allow you to trim the start and end of your videos and draw on the video with a pen tool. For an upgrade fee, it can merge, crop, and add text to the video that you’ve captured.
You must be using Chrome to use this software. From your Chrome browser, visit the Chrome web store and search for Screencastify. When you find it, click on Add to Chrome and confirm the addition. It will be added to the top right of the toolbar. When you click on that, it’ll take you to a sign-in page. Create an account and sign in. You’ll then be asked to give the required permissions. When you click the button in the toolbar, you can choose a recording method and start recording.
Pros
- Free version available
- User-friendly interface
- Screen and audio capture/recording
- Annotations
Cons
- Free version limits video recordings to 5 minutes
- No free trial for the PRO version
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome
Best for: Chrome users who need to capture browser tabs, screens, or windows
Google Web Store rating: 5 out of 5 stars, 7 reviews
Users: 616
Movavi’s Screen Recorder is available as a super-convenient, secure Chrome app. It’s a fast, easy-to-use screen and audio-recording tool that grabs any tab or desktop screen. It even lets you do voiceovers with a mic, which is great for instructions and video tutorials. You can also record sounds and embed your webcam image into video captures.
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome has an intuitive, uncluttered interface. Its simple settings ensure anyone can grasp this extension seconds after installing it. There are no restrictions on recording times, numbers of recordings, or file downloads.
Recording screens with Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome could not be easier. All you do is add then pin the extension to the browser’s top-right corner. Your app is now accessible wherever you go. Set your preferences and choose to capture the active tab or your entire screen. That’s it! You can now download and enjoy your captured files.
Pros
- Super easy-to-use, intuitive interface
- Records Chrome tabs or the entire screen
- Records audio
Cons
- Free version includes a watermark
Download Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome
How to record your screen on Windows 7
1. Install the Movavi software
First, install and launch Movavi Screen Recorder on your PC.
2. Adjust the settings for the session
Click the Cogwheel icon and set the parameters as necessary in the dialog box that appears. Сlick OK.
3. Start recording
Click Screen recording and select the part of the screen you want to capture. Make sure the settings are as you want them for the Webcam, Microphone, and System Audio (they can be activated or deactivated depending on your needs).
Click REC to begin the process after a short countdown. You can use the Screenshot and Pause buttons during the recording. Click Stop to finish.
4. Export the file
Click Export. In the dialog box that appears, name the file and choose the output format. Click Save.
Debut Video Capture
Great video recording software for creating demonstrations and streaming video games
OS: Windows
Debut is among the best free screen recorders for Windows and allows you to make videos for almost any task. It has a slightly odd and old-fashioned interface but boasts advanced functionality. For example, you can make mouse highlighting spotlights, show keystrokes, replace the background with images, video, or color, add a logo or watermark to your video capture, and even schedule a recording.
Pros
- Can capture from a network IP camera and other devices
- Records screen, webcam, and audio
- Unlimited recording time
- Robust editing options
- A variety of output formats
- Green Screen tool
- Time-lapse video recording
Cons
- Limited editing features
- Outdated interface
- No interactive or animation features
- Reported to slow down when uploading videos
Here’s a video on how to record your screen with Debut:
Comparison Chart of Free Screen Recorders
| Product name | Webcam recording | Audio recording | Video editing | Output |
| 1. Free Cam | No | Yes | Yes | WMV |
| 2. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder | No | Yes | No | MP4, BMP, JPEG, PNG |
| 3. ShareX | No | Yes | No | AVI, MP4, GIF |
| 4. CamStudio | No | Yes | No | AVI, SWF |
| 5. Ezvid | No | Yes | Yes | WMV |
| 6. TinyTake | Yes | Yes | No | MP4 |
| 7. OBS | No | Yes | No | LV, MP4, MOV, MKV, TS, HLS |
| 8. Debut | Yes | Yes | Yes | AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG, MP4, MOV |
Paid Screen Recording Software That We Love
The Internet’s bountiful supply of screen recording products means that one is sure to find free and low-cost options. However, when searching for high-quality performance, elaborate presentation, and expert technical support, many users are ready to invest their money in paid software. Here are seven paid screen recorders that have gained customers’ and reviewers’ trust and continue to expand their eminent presence in the market.
iSpring Suite
A perfect solution for creating video courses, how-to videos, and software tutorials
OS: Windows
iSpring Suite is a fully stocked authoring toolkit designed for creating eLearning content. It includes a professional video studio, as well as a set of other tools for online training: a course authoring tool, a quiz maker, a conversation simulator, and an interaction editor. The video studio allows you to make screencasts with voiceovers, instructional videos with annotations, and screencasts complemented with a presenter video. After a screencast is recorded, you can easily edit it: remove noise, insert media objects and annotations, delete unwanted fragments, and add transition effects.
Pros
- Can record two videos at the same time: a screencast and a webcam video
- Records a narration
- Has a multi-track timeline for video editing
- Adds images, visual hints, infographics, and captions
- Creates smooth scene transitions
- No time limits for recording
Cons
- Only mp4 video format is available
- Few interactive and animation features
To get a complete sense of iSpring Suite and its options, watch this video:
Price: $970/year for the entire toolkit. Free 30-day trial → (no credit card required)
Camtasia
A robust screen recorder with quizzes and interactivity options
OS: Windows and Mac
Camtasia is a feature-packed tool for detail-oriented enthusiasts. It allows you to record video and audio one after another, combining the results afterward. Camtasia is quite flexible in terms of using animations and video effects and adding overlays. The best thing is that the tool is constantly being updated and receives new features on a regular basis.
Pros
- Incorporates a webcam
- Audio, video, and cursor tracks can be edited separately
- Imports existing videos, music, photos, and PowerPoint slides
- Adds captions, callouts, and quizzes to your videos
- Frame-by-frame editing
- Has a library of royalty-free music and sound effects
Cons
- One of the most expensive screen recorders
- Reported to slow down on large and heavy projects
- Busy multi-track interface
Here’s a brief overview of Camtasia:
Price: $249. Free 30-day trial.
Filmora Scrn
The best video capturing software for streaming and game recording
OS: Windows and Mac
Filmora Scrn is a trustworthy video recording software that is especially loved by gamers. It allows you to capture fast-paced scenes (up to 60 fps for Mac) while simultaneously recording a webcam video. It also has a basic video editor that allows you to improve the look of the video and tutorial features, which can help direct attention to the main items on the screen.
Pros
- Can record from your computer and webcam simultaneously
- Imports over 50 file formats and exports in multiple formats
- Picture-шn-picture mode
- Frame rate from 15 to 120 FPS
- Supports HD and even 4k recording
Cons
- Lacks advanced editing features
- Noticeable performance impact in games
- Reported to lag and freeze when editing
Watch this video tutorial on how to use Filmora Scrn:
Price: $19.99 for 1 year or $29.99 for a lifetime license. Free trial.Movavi Screen Recorder
The best Windows screen recorder for capturing video calls, webinars, and other online events
OS: Windows and Mac
Movavi Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use screen capture tool that allows you to perform desktop recording, capture webcam and audio, save recordings as high-quality videos and GIFs, and take screenshots. You can upload your final video to Google Drive or YouTube and share them with your audience via social media.
Pros
- Incorporates webcam
- Can record screen and audio simultaneously or separately
- Saves video in HD and supports multiple formats: AVI, MP4, MOV, and MKV
- Takes screenshots and edits them
- Allows scheduled recording
- Mouse display in the recording
Cons
- Very few editing tools
- Trial version limits recording time to 5 minutes
- Reported to have periodic crash issues
See how to use Movavi Screen Recorder in this video:
Price: $39.95 for 1 PC. Free 7-day trial.
My Screen Recorder Pro
Good screen recording software for those who need to distribute videos to their website
OS: Windows
My Screen Recorder Pro is a feature-packed screen capturing tool that records anything on the computer screen, including the entire desktop, menus, cursors, and video with sound. It also lets you record your webcam or mobile screen in high-definition quality simultaneously with the desktop screen. Besides industry-standard AVI, WMV, and MP4, the screen recorder can save video in WebM, perfect for distribution or uploading to your website or blog.
Pros
- Can record webcam or mobile screen, along with desktop screen recording
- Video output to AVI, WMV, MP4, and WebM formats
- Allows scheduled recording
- Auto-upload recordings to any FTP account
- Can securely monitor the screen in hide mode
Cons
- Has limited editing options
- No animations and transitions
To learn more about My Screen Recorder options and settings, watch this video:
Price: $129.95. Free feature limited trial.
FlashBack
A simple screen recorder with basic editing features
OS: Windows
FlashBack is a full-motion-based screen recorder with a simple, handy interface. You can capture your screen, along with webcam and mic, and then make the recording better with a built-in video editor by adding captions, arrows, images, and highlights.
Pros
- Records multiple monitors
- Incorporates webcam
- Allows you to add distinctive and custom watermarks
- Quick upload to Youtube, FlashBack Connect or export as MP4, GIF, WMV, QuickTime, AVI, and Flash
- Offers zooming and panning options
Cons
- Difficult to modify existing demos
- Allows you to import files only in FBR format
- Does not track the movement of windows in use
Price: $49 for 1 PC. Free 30-day trial.
Screencast-O-Matic
A reliable screen recording software with a built-in stock library and secure video hosting
OS: Windows, Mac and iOS, Android, and Chromebook
Screencast-O-Matic is considered one of the best screen recorders for PC and mobile devices. It’s fast, fairly easy to use, and comes with a video editor that allows you to personalize recordings and make them more attractive and entertaining. Unlike its many competitors, Screencast-O-Matic comes with a built-in stock library full of videos, images, and music tracks, cloud hosting for storing and sharing videos, and even collaboration and team management tools. However, this advanced functionality is available only for premium plans users. It allows you to upload your videos to YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, and Dropbox. There’s also a mobile app for Android and iOS.
Summary: How to choose a screen recorder
Price: Some screen recorders are free, and others offer both free and paid versions. If you want a free app, make sure it has the features you need. Does it restrict things like recording times and the number of allowed recordings? Consider another app or the PRO version if it falls short, especially if it offers a free trial period.
Graphical User Interface (GUI): No one ever complains that a screen recorder is too easy to use. Make sure the interface is intuitive, uncluttered, and has a gentle learning curve. At the same time, check that the GUI has everything you need.
Screen recording options: What do you need to capture? Some tools only record specific areas while others capture the entire screen or both. Also, check that the app offers audio recording as well if that’s important to you.
Editing tools: Check that the program has editing tools if that matters to you. Some apps offer basic editing like join, trim, and crop. Others have built-in editors or no tools at all.
Save and share: Can you save your files in the formats you need? If you plan to share your captures, make sure you can upload them directly to platforms like Google Drive, YouTube, etc.
Conclusion
A screen recording software is a program that records everything that happens on your computer screen while videos or tutorials are in progress. Recording the whole desktop helps people in many ways: teaching, education, support and much more. It can also be used to record games and create video tutorials.
Browsing the web to select a high quality and professionally oriented software to record your screen activities, you could be facing some troubles. If so, you have come at the right place. There are many popular tools for screen recording, however, there is no specific criteria to judge which product is great or not. The truth is that there are several issues when recording video with computer or laptop.