How to Record Gameplay on PC for Free (No Watermark Tools)

Do you want to record gameplay on PC without spending money? You are in the right place. Many free tools let you capture gameplay with no watermark. In this guide, we will show you the best way to record gameplay on PC. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, these methods are easy to follow. Let’s get started.

Method 1: Record Gameplay on PC Using Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar is a built-in tool in Windows 10 and 11. You do not need to download anything. It is free and simple to use. It is one of the easiest ways to record gameplay on PC right out of the box.

Steps to Record with Xbox Game Bar:

1. Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
2. Click the Capture widget.
3. Click the Record button (the circle icon).
4. Play your game.
5. Press Windows + Alt + R to stop recording.
6. Find your video in the Videos > Captures folder.

Xbox Game Bar saves videos in MP4 format. It works great for most PC games. However, it does not work with desktop apps or some full-screen games.

Method 2: Record Gameplay on PC Using Leawo Free Screen Recorder

If you need more features, try Leawo Free Screen Recorder. It is a powerful and completely free tool. It adds no watermark to your recordings. You can record any area of your screen, including full gameplay. It also supports audio recording at the same time.

Steps to Record with Leawo Free Screen Recorder:

7. Download and install Leawo Free Screen Recorder on your PC.
8. Open the software and click Screen Record.
9. Select your recording area — choose full screen for gameplay.
10. Set your audio source — system sound, microphone, or both.
11. Click the Red Record button to start.
12. Press F10 to stop recording when done.
13. Save or export your video file.

This tool is ideal for gamers who want clean, watermark-free recordings. It is lightweight and easy to use on any Windows PC.

Method 3: Record Gameplay Using Your Graphics Card

Your GPU may already have a built-in recording tool. AMD users can use AMD Radeon ReLive (also called AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition). NVIDIA users have ShadowPlay. These tools use hardware encoding, so they record with very little impact on your FPS.

Steps to Record with AMD Radeon ReLive:

14. Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
15. Go to Recording under the Performance tab.
16. Enable Record Desktop or select game recording.
17. Set your video quality, resolution, and frame rate.
18. Press Alt + R to start and stop recording in-game.
19. Find your clips in the default save folder.

NVIDIA users should open GeForce Experience, go to settings, enable ShadowPlay, and press Alt + F9 to record.

Tips for Recording Gameplay Without Lag

• Close background apps. Shut down browsers, Discord, and other programs before recording. This frees up RAM and CPU resources.
• Record to an SSD. Saving video files to a solid-state drive is much faster. It prevents frame drops and stutters during recording.
• Use hardware encoding if available. Both AMD and NVIDIA offer GPU-based encoding. It reduces the load on your CPU and keeps your game running smoothly.

FAQs

1. Does recording gameplay lower FPS?

It can, but only slightly. Tools that use hardware encoding — like AMD ReLive or NVIDIA ShadowPlay — have almost no impact. Software-based recorders may drop a few frames if your PC is not powerful enough.

2. Can I record gameplay and voice at the same time?

Yes. Most tools support both system audio and microphone input. In Leawo Free Screen Recorder, you can select both audio sources before you start. Xbox Game Bar also records your microphone if you enable it in settings.

3. What is the best resolution for recording gameplay?

1080p at 60 frames per second is the best balance of quality and file size. If your PC is powerful enough, you can record at 1440p or 4K. For YouTube uploads, 1080p is the most common and widely supported format.

4. Can you record gameplay on Mac for free?

Yes. Mac has its own screen recording tools built in. You can also use third-party game capture software for Mac that offers more advanced features. Check out our guide on game capture software for Mac to find the best option for your device.

Conclusion

You now know three easy ways to record gameplay on PC for free. Xbox Game Bar is great for quick recordings. Leawo Free Screen Recorder gives you more control and no watermark. Your GPU’s built-in tool is best for performance. Choose the method that works best for your setup and start capturing your best gaming moments today.

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