Need to capture a presentation or tutorial, record audio, and keep an MP4 without guessing through the controls? ScreenRec is a desktop screen-recording app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and this guide shows how to use ScreenRec from capture to local save.
On Windows, press Alt + S; on macOS, ScreenRec's current Mac quick-start guide uses Command + S. Select a capture area or the full display, start video recording, enable the microphone and/or system audio you need, then stop and save the recording as an MP4. If you meant your phone or computer's built-in recorder, use that device's native screen-recording controls instead.
ScreenRec Features and Desktop Requirements
Before I show you how to use ScreenRec, let's look at what it actually does. ScreenRec is currently available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mac downloads are provided separately for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. ScreenRec's current site still lists version 5.0.13, released on July 20, 2025; check the current download page for operating-system requirements before installing.
Made For Different Work Tasks
ScreenRec is designed for quick screen capture, demonstrations, tutorials, feedback, and visual explanations. Business recordings require a paid plan that permits business use. If you write code, you can record a bug or workflow to show another developer what happened. Sales and support teams can also record short demonstrations, although professional use requires an appropriate paid plan.
1-Click Screen Capture
Capturing your screen is straightforward. A common question is: "Does ScreenRec record audio?" Yes. ScreenRec can capture your screen, microphone, system audio, and webcam. You can enable the microphone and system sound separately depending on what you want in the recording.
Draw On Your Screenshots
You can add text and highlight important parts of your screenshots. This helps when you need to explain specific details in an image. To trim or make more advanced changes to a recorded video, save it as an MP4 and open it in a video editor. ScreenRec's screenshot annotation tools do not function as a full video editor.
Share Links Instantly
When cloud sharing is enabled, ScreenRec can create a private viewing-page link and copy it to your clipboard, subject to the sharing quota included with your plan. You can then press Ctrl + V to paste the link into an email or chat. The link opens a viewing page in a browser; it is not the same as the local MP4 file.
Control Your Privacy
ScreenRec says cloud recordings are encrypted and provides sharing and access-control features. The exact sharing quota and access controls depend on your plan. Before recording, close private windows, silence notifications, and obtain any participant consent required for your situation.
ScreenRec Sign-Up and Account Access
A major issue for new users is the five-minute recording limit. If you do not sign up, ScreenRec limits each recording to 5 minutes. Creating a free account removes that duration limit. The ScreenRec Recording Limit is separate from plan limits for recording quality, storage, monthly quotas, sharing, and business use. The current Free plan includes 2 GB of cloud storage and is limited to personal use.
| Plan | Published USD/mo | Resolution | Cloud storage | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 720p | 2 GB | Personal |
| Pro | $8.32 | Up to 1080p | 50 GB | Business |
| Premium | $81.66 | Up to 4K | 200 GB | Business, 5 seats |
ScreenRec pricing checked in October 2026. The official pricing page currently displays Pro at $8.32/month and Premium at $81.66/month, with billing options shown on the live pricing page.
The Free plan currently includes up to 50 video recordings, 100 screenshots, and 10 automatic cloud-upload/share links per month, in addition to its 2 GB cloud-storage limit.
- Download and open the ScreenRec app on your computer.
- Open ScreenRec Settings and create a free account, or use the account prompt that appears when you first use a cloud-sharing feature.
- Enter your email and create your account.
- Once registered and signed in, the five-minute per-recording limit is removed.
- Other Free-plan limits, including recording quality, storage, monthly quotas, and personal-use restrictions, still apply.
ScreenRec Recording, Audio, and Local MP4 Saving
You do not need to be a computer expert to use ScreenRec. The workflow is mainly selecting what you want to capture, choosing your audio sources, recording, and then either sharing the result or saving it as a local MP4.
How To Take A ScreenRec Screenshot
- Open ScreenRec and select the area you want to capture.
- Click the Photo Camera icon to take the screenshot.
- Use the annotation tools if you want to add notes, arrows, or highlights.
- Click the Link button to copy a private share link when cloud sharing is available.
- Click the Clipboard button to copy the actual image.
- Click the Download button to save the file to your computer, or use the Trash Can to delete it.
How To Record Your Screen With ScreenRec
- On Windows, press Alt + S to open ScreenRec and select a specific area or the full display. On macOS, ScreenRec's current Mac quick-start guide uses Command + S.
- To record the full screen, select the entire display as the capture area; you do not need a separate full-screen recording hotkey.
- Click the Video Camera control to start recording when prompted by your current version.
- While recording, you can turn your microphone, webcam, and system audio on or off using the available controls.
- Enable system sound and disable the microphone to capture computer audio only.
- Enable the microphone and disable system sound to capture your voice only.
- Enable both controls to capture system sound and your microphone.
- Disable both controls to record video without audio.
- Before recording, confirm the operating system is using the correct microphone input and that ScreenRec has the required recording permissions.
- Press the Stop control when you finish.
- Play back a short section and check the framing and audio before sharing or uploading the video.
- After stopping, open the recording in the player or Recording History and use the Save/Download control shown in your current version to keep the recording as a local MP4.
How To Check Your ScreenRec History
If you close the player or lose a sharing link, you can return to Recording History to find previous recordings associated with the app or account.
- Open the main ScreenRec menu and click Recording History.
- Open or preview the recording you want.
- Use the Save/Download control available in your current version to save the recording as a local MP4.
- Hover over an item to preview it, copy its share link, or delete it.
- Use the search and filtering tools to find older files more quickly.
The saved MP4 can be played offline or uploaded to another service. A ScreenRec cloud share link opens a viewing page and is not the local video file itself.
Uninstalling ScreenRec on Windows
You can uninstall ScreenRec through Windows Settings when you no longer need the app.
- Click the Windows search bar at the bottom of your screen.
- Type "Add or remove programs" and open the matching Settings page.
- Search the app list for "ScreenRec".
- Select ScreenRec and click Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal.
If ScreenRec does not appear in Settings, open Control Panel and check Programs and Features. If it is missing there as well or the uninstaller fails, contact ScreenRec support and include your Windows version and a description of the problem.
If your actual goal is not recording your own demonstrations but saving eligible streaming titles as local files, a download-based workflow is different from ScreenRec's real-time screen capture.
KeepStreams One Downloads, Subtitles, and Batch Saving
ScreenRec is a practical choice for recording demonstrations, tutorials, feedback, and other activity visible on your screen. ScreenRec Premium currently supports recording at up to 4K, while screen capture still records the playback in real time.
For occasional offline viewing, start with the streaming service's official download feature when one is available. If you need to save streaming video as local files, KeepStreams One can save supported streaming titles as local MP4 or MKV files. KeepStreams primarily uses direct-download and remux workflows; the exact processing method depends on the platform, title, and current compatibility. Available for Windows and macOS.
For services that currently support the feature, KeepStreams One can handle included ads while preparing the local file. Screen capture remains the better fit when you need to record a presentation, software demonstration, tutorial, feedback session, or other activity you create yourself.
For a supported season or series, batch processing can queue multiple episodes instead of recording them one at a time. Available subtitles can also be downloaded with supported titles. Available for Windows and macOS.
Note: Save local copies only for content you are authorized to access and where the use is permitted by platform terms and applicable law. Keep saved files for permitted personal offline viewing and do not redistribute them.
FAQs
Q1. How do I remove the five-minute recording limit in ScreenRec?
A1. Create a free ScreenRec account and sign in. ScreenRec currently limits unregistered users to five minutes per recording, while registration removes that duration limit. The Free plan still has its own recording-quality, monthly-quota, cloud-storage, and personal-use limits, including 2 GB of cloud storage.
Q2. Why is my ScreenRec video taking so long to upload?
A2. Cloud sharing requires an internet connection, so first check your connection and the current upload status. ScreenRec can continue working offline, and you can save the recording locally while cloud upload or sharing is unavailable.
Q3. Can I use ScreenRec offline?
A3. Yes. ScreenRec's current feature list includes offline recording and access. You can record and keep screenshots or screen videos on the local computer without an active internet connection; cloud uploads and shareable links require connectivity.
Q4. How do I upload a ScreenRec video to YouTube?
A4. Stop the recording, open it in the player or Recording History, and use the available Save/Download control to store the MP4 locally. Then upload that MP4 file to YouTube. The ScreenRec cloud link is a viewing-page link rather than the video file itself.
Q5. Why is there no sound in my ScreenRec recording?
A5. Check whether system audio and the microphone are enabled for the type of recording you want. Then confirm the selected operating-system input, ScreenRec's recording permissions, and any muted sources. Record a short sample and play it back before making the full recording.
Q6. What should I do if ScreenRec will not open?
A6. Close any stuck ScreenRec process and restart the computer, then try the current ScreenRec version again. If the app still will not open, check the current operating-system requirements and contact ScreenRec support with your operating system, ScreenRec version, and a description of the problem.
Conclusion
ScreenRec is best suited to recording presentations, demonstrations, tutorials, feedback, screenshots, and similar desktop tasks. A free account removes the five-minute per-recording limit, while the Free plan remains limited to personal use, up to 720p recording quality, 2 GB of cloud storage, and its current monthly quotas.
If your main goal is to create a screen recording, ScreenRec can capture the screen together with microphone and/or system audio and save the finished recording as a local MP4. If your goal is instead to save an eligible streaming title without recording the complete playback in real time, KeepStreams One offers a separate local-file workflow for supported sources, with MP4/MKV output, subtitle options, and batch processing depending on the service and title.
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