Top 7 Best Screen Recording Tools For Windows

Sometimes, if you are having a problem with the hardware or software in your computer, and need to show it to a technician, the best thing you could do would be to create a video recording of whatever is going on in your screen, and mailing the video clip to the technician, who does not have to be present physically to understand the problem. Alternatively, if you want to show a friend or colleague how to operate a particular software, or just share a trick with them, screen recording would come to your aid.

Another very common use of screen recording is to prepare training presentations. Rather than using slides and images to tell a team of students or executives how to use a tool and tackle a problem, you can simply create a screen recording video on your own computer and play it for them.

So if you are a Windows user, and are looking for a good screen recording software, we have for you a list of seven. Some of these are free, and some have to be purchased. So, take your choice on the basis of your requirement and budget.

1. CamStudio

CamStudio is a free screen recording software for Windows, so it is understandable that it does not have a lot of the advanced features of some of the other tools we talk about later. But if you need a screen recorder not for professional reasons, but rather to make small, simple videos for your own use, CamStudio is an excellent idea. If you want to make changes to your video, you can save it in CamStudio, and later open it in a video editing application.

2. Jing

Jing is available as a freeware, but if you have advanced requirements and need the pro version, it will cost you a mere 15 dollars per year. Both the versions will allow you to create a recording of up to 5 minutes in length, and will let you share videos up to 2 GB at screenshare.com. The pro version will let you record webcam activities, and you can even take the Jing marking off of the videos.

3. Camtasia Studio

Priced at almost 300 dollars for Windows, Camtasia is more or less the most expensive screen recording software. But the sheer number of features it has makes the steep price worth it. Camtasia lets users record their full screen, a single application, or just a section of the screen. In fact, it is remarkably easy to customize this screen recording software to suit your needs.

4. ScreenCast-o-Matic

You can buy this software for $12 a year, or you can use the less advanced, but quite useful, free version. Either ways, you will not regret choosing this Java based screen recorder that can be used wherever Java is supported. ScreenCast o matic has the same features of Jing, but is much cheaper, and also a bit lighter and easier to use.

5. Webinaria

Webinaria is an open source software, which means it is of excellent quality and gets continuously upgraded and improved. It is remarkably easy to use. This tools creates a screen record video in .AVI format, and has the option to create an FLV file from it. Webinaria’s best feature is that it can combine a different video input, like a webcam, with the screen recording process.

6. Windows Media Encoder

If you want your screen recording video to have an excellent audio track, you should definitely choose Windows Media Encoder , that lets you add not only audio bits, but also lets you mix them, so that you can have voice instructions interspersed with music.

7. Ultra VNC Screen Recorder

This free tool is easy to use, even for non technical users, but it has some really interesting features as well. It supports audio capturing as well as screen capturing, and lets you change the default setting to meet your requirements.